How Can Animal Therapy Promote Positive Social And Emotional Well-being In Children?

How animal therapy promotes positive social and emotional well-being in children.

This is a thesis researching into the currently stated effects of Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) and how this could be incorporated within the home and school environment. Reason for the inclusion of the school setting is due to an OECD report (2014) which highlighted the considerable amount of time children spend in an educational institute. Therefore, suggesting that the experiences a child will encounter in this environment, will inevitably have an impact on the child s social and emotional well-being. Moreover, the discussion of social and emotional well-being is of considerable importance, as the exploration of Animal Assisted Therapy and if this study can contribute to not only personal, but professional development in adult life. Investigation into the general presence of animals, and how they can assist children with and without additional requirements in the hope of developing personal skills, and equip the individual with the ability to handle unexpected change in life s circumstances will be made through biased case studies. Furthermore, research conducted by Nightingale (1952) found that those of long term ill-health would often experience better well-being when a companionship with a small animal was made. For this reason, my interest to discover the extent to which the impact animals can have on a person if there are any and if such differences obtain a lasting effect.

This thesis will cover four main areas: -

History of pet keeping and the current use of animals in service.
This section is a brief introduction to the history of animals and how the differential use and expectations of animals has developed overtime, and for what reasons. Recognition of legislative laws regarding unlawful treatment over the years is a key feature of this sub-section. Additionally, discussion of how modern day society views animals and how they are of service to society.

The social, emotional and cognitive well-being of children.
Within this section, I hope to discuss the holistic child. Investigation into the social and emotional well-being of children and how this can be affected by various factors is a key focus, with reference to key theory, such as Maslow (1954), Vygotsky (1978) and Gardner (1993) being made. Biased case studies will be incorporated throughout.

Holistic development and animals.
For this sub-section, I intend to make links between theory, literature and the ways in which animals are able to aid children with lacking areas, such as speech or language. Exploration regarding the different effects an animal can have and how this can be applied in a school setting is made through the discussion of a classroom pet.

How does this service affect animals?
Regardless of the positive effect animal assistance can have on humans, I wish to further my research into the ways such service may impact an animal. Reason for this can be given to the ethical guidelines which are noted through various documentation. It has been recognised by many how human interaction can impact animal`s health.

Definition of Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI)

Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) is now revealed to be a broad term which can include animal assisted therapy and animal assisted activities (Crago and Leeder (2014). The State Hospital (2007) on the other hand, comment on Animal Assisted Therapy and believe it to only be provided by a clinician and used in addition to other therapies. This is a perception I wish to challenge as it is commonly believed that attending therapy is a weakness (Vogel and Wade, 2009). Vogel and Wade (2009) elaborate on this and claim that this public perception often prevents people from seeking help early on. Moving forward from this, throughout this essay, I will refer to all involvement, partaking in activities and presence of animals as Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) . Furthermore, this definition will be similar to that of pet therapy as explained by Crago and Leeder (2014), who clarify that this is a method of intervention which intentionally includes or incorporates animals as part of a milieu or therapeutic process.

Animals in service

Firstly, the general background of pet keeping is an interesting factor of AAI. Young (2010) suggested that animals, up until the enforcement of legislative laws - in the 19^th century - were considered a means of dirt and therefore undeserving of compassion. Additionally, Wengrow (2016) demonstrated the naivety of society during historic time periods, where civilisation demonstrated their lack of education through beliefs which were devoted to witchcraft. Wengrow (2016) further conditioned that animals, such as black cats and certain birds were partially to blame for the occurrence of bad luck and often death. Locke (1693, cited in Baker 2015) was a small minority who believed otherwise and addressed the rights of animals, by contradicting the then current belief of pre-Enlightenment philosophies, which favoured the act of violence and brutality in a bid to control animals. Encouragement for such behaviour can be witnessed through the work of Rene Descartes (1645, cited in Baker, 2015), renowned for using the phrase I think, therefore I am (Descartes, 1637), and believed that animals are unable to feel pain due to them being similar to mechanical robots. This belief was followed by the explanation that only humans are conscious, have a mind and soul, and the ability to communicate, therefore are deserving of compassion. Nevertheless, Locke (1693), challenged such perceptions by suggesting that animals were a contribution to the representation of a human s capacity for rational and just interactions with other humans. Therefore, the regular outbursts of violence a person would conduct on an animal was only a means to demonstrate the frustration and desire for superiority. Locke (1693) thinking was mirrored by Skinner (1938, cited in Pound, 2014), who also stated that impressionable children are likely to follow the actions of those closest to them. Thus, regular acceptance of aggression towards animals, will in turn will result in a battle for dominance, not only with animals, but among human relations also.

Despite Yong (2010) suggesting that animals were disregarding up until early 19^th century due to their hygienic downfall, Pickett, Crossley and Sutton (2014) suggests otherwise. Pickett, Crossley and Sutton (2014) believe that animals had become of high demand much before the 19^th century due to the necessary farming duties which, single handed, would have been a problematic task. Animals soon become heavily depended upon and were able to produce farming goods at a much faster pace, which in turn, lessened the requirement for there to be so many farmers (Pickett, Crossley and Sutton, 2014). This could give one reason for the overall development of society, which in turn promoted a change with regards to societal standards and structures. In addition to this, the steady migration of Europeans could be viewed as another accompanying factor which caused for quick development. Fine (2011) conveys that occurrence of such changes caused for the newly found sympathetic attitude to animals, which was however, predominantly adopted by aristocracy. Nevertheless, the more welcoming approach adopted, in turn caused for a better understanding of how animals were able to aid humans in other means. The work of Locke (1699, cited in Fine, 2011) suggested that the act of keeping pets was becoming a regular trend which was originally intended as a method to keep children entertained. However, the stimulation the animals provoked saw the desire for children to be responsible and motivated, alongside the increase of a sympathetic attitude and emotional stability. With this in mind, Fine (2011) thus believes that animals were then used as natural vehicles for penetrating the shell surrounding the disturbed, isolated and the mentally or physically disabled. Additionally, Fine (2011) furthers such beliefs based on the works of Locke (1699) and suggests that animals were also viewed as fountains of love and loyalty, therefore, the perfect companion as they alleviate urban loneliness and facilitate human interactions. The unintended work of Levinson (1984) can be witnessed as a contributing discovery which aided the conclusion of Fine (2011). Levinson (1984) reported that a child undertaking psychotherapy was making no progress throughout the sessions until incidentally meeting a dog. The upturn in attitude then promoted the use of the dog as an aid in achieving goals personal to the child, for example, minor speech and fine motor movements which overall progressed toward greater wellbeing.

During such milestones in discoveries, the implementation of legislation was gradually introduced and can be witnessed as a supportive framework which is still used in modern society. However, debate situated around if it was legislative law which caused for such transformation, or if the witness of attitude change within society came prior to and caused legislative laws to be imposed is an ongoing discussion. Nonetheless, the first ever act to be imposed to prevent improper treatment to animals The Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act 1822 was made in a bid to prevent cruel and inappropriate treatment of solely cattle. As aforementioned, this act can be viewed as an inevitable milestone required due to the increased demand for farming animals. However, the 1835 Cruelty to Animals Act amended the existing legislation in a bid to prevent bear-baiting and include additional animals, such as bulls, dogs, bears, goat and sheep. The call for veterinary hospitals, humane transport and slaughter, and shelters was a key focus of this act. During such time, the creation of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) was founded in 1824 and was a main reason for imposing the 1835 Cruelty to Animals Act. The work of the RSPCA encouraged the emergence of similar animal protection groups all over, for example, the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. However, reinforcement of legislative law was a key aspect of RSPCA work, and therefore, fortification of animal s rights was transcribed through further acts, such as the 1876 Cruelty to Animals Act. Several organisations, such as Animal Aid, founded in 1977, have followed in the path of the RSPCA in order to ensure animals are treated with respect. Such work and dedication has in turn allowed for humans to work with animals effectively, not only keeping them as pets, but to aid human health and welfare.

In relation to the affect animals can have on human welfare as aforementioned, Wolfe (2003) is able to recognise that the relationship between humans and animals has always been evident, however, conveys that such relationships have been overlooked and only recently undergone scrutiny. Wolfe (2003) continues to further this statement and claims that recognition on how animals take place in social networks has been disregarded due to the significant role animals have partaken in scientific advancements. Moreover, Bills (2012) elaborates on this and transcribes how society has placed a predominant focus on the outcome of the relationship with other species, such as dogs, in comparison to how the relationship works as a process. Clutton-Brock (1995) is a clear foundation of Bill (2012) research as it was noted how the use of dogs for example, have been bred purposely to coexist with their human counterparts. This is evident through the roles tailored to dogs, which include, herding, guarding, hunting and fishing. Fine (2015) reinforces the statement and gives a more modern example on how animals are supporting the quality of life of people in need, through the means of guide dogs. It is important to recognise the variety of other animals which are of service to humans in less obvious means. The concept of travel for example, is often forgotten about due to the ease of access to the likes of trains, cars and buses, however, donkeys, horses camels and even reindeer are a method of transport which are still of high use today, especially as a tourist attraction (Khanvilkar ET. Al, 2009).