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Marketing animal facilitated therapy
Health Marketing Quarterly
|December 9, 1992
Summary
Animal Facilitated Therapy (AFT) leverages the human-animal bond to enhance physical and emotional health. This accessible therapy offers an alternative approach, particularly for patients with unmet emotional needs or those unresponsive to traditional treatments.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Psychology
- Veterinary Science
Background:
- Traditional medical care primarily focuses on physical well-being.
- Emotional health is increasingly recognized as integral to overall physical health.
- Many patients experience unmet psychological needs impacting healing and health maintenance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce Animal Facilitated Therapy (AFT) as a complementary treatment modality.
- To highlight the benefits of the human-animal bond in healthcare.
- To promote AFT as an alternative for patients unresponsive to conventional therapies.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing the human-animal bond to foster therapeutic relationships.
- Integrating companion animals as an adjunct to traditional medical interventions.
- Implementing AFT in diverse healthcare settings with trained volunteers.
Main Results:
- AFT improves patients' physical and emotional health by addressing unmet psychological needs.
- The therapy is effective for patients with long-term disabilities and those experiencing depression or social withdrawal.
- AFT provides an alternative therapeutic avenue when other methods have been unsuccessful.
Conclusions:
- Animal Facilitated Therapy is a low-cost, effective adjunct to traditional healthcare.
- AFT addresses crucial emotional needs, enhancing patient recovery and well-being.
- Further promotion and funding are essential for expanding AFT accessibility and impact.