Types of programmes

Over the past 20 years, there has been a steady rise in the number of programmes aimed at improving human health and welfare with the inclusion of animals. 

They vary according to:

• Client population (eg older people, people with physical or learning disabilities)
• Species of animals (eg companion animals or farm animals)
• Active or passive interaction with animals (eg observation of fish tank or grooming activities, dog walking programmes)
• Settings – institutions or community (eg young offender institutes, nursing homes or animal activities on a care farm or at an animal adoption centre)
• Anticipated aims or goals of the programme  (eg specific outcomes in occupational therapy or enhanced general well-being)
• Level of training and expertise of the person(s) delivering the programme (eg qualified therapist, animal welfare professional etc)

Common types of AAI programmes in the UK

Animal visiting activity programmes

Animal activity-based programmes involve animals (usually dogs) and their owners visiting people with additional needs, such as older people in nursing homes and people in hospices, who may benefit from seeing or interacting with a companion animal.

Volunteers and dogs of Pets as Therapy and Therapet undertake regular visits to care home, hospitals, schools and youth organisations each week. A recent study of 50 Therapet dogs confirmed the healthy status of the volunteer dogs; none were found with MRSA

Canine Concern Scotland Trust survey
SCAS Journal, Vol XX No 3, Autumn 2008: 12-13

Such programmes can also include educational visits to schools which promote the message of responsible pet ownership and is offered by a number of charities, including The Blue Cross.  Sometimes dogs are involved in the specific development of skills in dog-assisted reading programmes such as R.E.A.D.

These visits are usually undertaken by volunteers of charities such as Pets as Therapy and Therapet. The participating animals are temperament-tested and health-checked. 

More recently, a number of care farms and people working in farm-settings (eg Barton Hill ) have established visiting programmes encouraging individuals and groups to visit their farms, to advance skills and enhance self-development.  In some programmes, groups can stay for several days and participate in a variety of farm activities, for example Jamie’s Farm.

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