HISTORY OF ASSISTED INTERVENTION WITH ANIMALS

James H.S. In 1944, Bossard published a work which examined the therapeutic value of having a dog.  He described the animal, after long sessions of observation, as a source of unconditional love and the only company which gives man a feeling of well-being and tranquillity.

But it wasn´t until 1962, when Boris Levinson published in “Mental Hygiene”, the article "The Dog as a Co-Therapist", which enhances the idea of therapeutic value of an animal moving from their home to a therapeutic environment which was his  psychological consultation.

In 1972, in York, England, the first activities with the use of animals as complementing the health environment were carried out. William Tuke, founder of the York Asylum, managed to control different behaviours by using positive reinforcement and interaction with animals, all at once bringing to light the resident´s feelings of sociability and relaxation.

In the 90´s, Aline and Robert Kidd published studies on the effect of animals who accompanied children and on the attitudes of the children towards the animals.

Since the start until now, there has been progress in the study, design and application of more and better techniques, which allow us to improve the quality of interventions.

 

 

Today, in Spain, interventions of this type have been developed in retirement homes, correctional centres, rehab centres, centres for adolescents with different problems, special education schools, centres for people with physical and/or psychological disabilities, amongst many other things, each day opening new possibilities of action.

Although we are working on it, we are far from arriving at a level of performance in this field which is carried out in other countries who are pioneers in therapies and activities with animals. Thistype of intervention is considered science, demonstrated with studies published in prestigious scientific journals such as "The Journal of the American Medical Association" or "The Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine”.

According to Delta Society data, an organisation whose aim is the promotion of improving the health of people with the help of animals, the number of programs of Terapia Asistida con Animales (TAA) in the United States is estimated at 2000, being the largest programs of psychotherapy and physical rehabilitation.