A recent study reported affection from therapy dogs reduced pain in emergency room patients

A team of researchers, led by Dr. Colleen Dell from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, recently published their research demonstrating how therapy dogs can reduce pain and anxiety in patients.

‘Clinically significant changes in pain as well as significant changes in anxiety, depression and well-being were observed in the therapy dog intervention compared to control. The findings of this novel study contribute important knowledge towards the potential value of emergency department (ED) therapy dogs to affect patients’ experience of pain, and related measures of anxiety, depression and well-being’.

Psychosocial Interventions and Dementia, Understanding, Knowing, Implementing

Psychosocial interventions are essential to support people with dementia. This 100 page guide is intended for all professionals working directly or indirectly with people with dementia. It aims to improve knowledge, understanding and implementation of psychosocial interventions that can be provided to them. The guide contains chapters on a variety of supportive interventions, including Animal-assisted interventions and horticulture therapy. The guide is free to download, and the chapters can be downloaded separately.

Download English version here.

Published by La Fondation Médéric Alzheimer

The Companion Animal Multispecies Risk Management Toolkit (CAMSRMT)

We are thrilled to announce the launch of a SCAS Funded Toolkit to facilitate the introduction of companion animals to supported living settings. The Companion Animal Multispecies Risk Management Toolkit (CAMSRMT) was developed by an Australian team of expert academics, veterinarians, human health, and consumer representatives. This was undertaken as a Delphi study whereby people with specialist knowledge relevant to the focus including species expert veterinarians, aged care providers and consumers of aged care were recruited. These individuals created, reviewed and moderated the risk management framework which is core to the document. CAMASRT sets out a risk management table for each animal group. The document provides best practice case studies, and resources for health, social care workers and others to facilitate the introduction of pets into care facilities.  

The CAMSRMT will be of great assistance to those working in the care sector who understand that every effort should be made to avoid vulnerable people having to relinquish their animal companions.

We extend a huge thank you to Dr Janette Young who led this amazing initiative.

The Toolkit is downloadable from SCAS website, is free of charge and should be widely shared.

Download the Companion-Animal Multi-Species Risk Management Tool (CAMSRMT) here

Edward O Wilson Obituary

By Dr. Elizabeth Ormerod, SCAS Chair

Edward O. Wilson, the renowned biologist passed away in December 2021 at the age of 92. His Biophilia Hypothesis (1984) stated that humans have a need to affiliate with other life forms, that our very existence depends upon this. He hypothesised that this need is innate, part of our evolutionary heritage and associated with genetic fitness. And that it is the basis for an ethic of care and nature conservation, especially for supporting biodiversity. In my work, whether delivering humane education to children, or in animal-assisted interventions with offenders, the deep interest in animal care and behaviour shown by all participants is, I feel related to the Biophilia Hypothesis. The need for animal contact is especially strong in people who are incarcerated and others in long-term care settings, and animal companionship should therefore not be denied.

Wilson’s work had great influence on our field. I strongly recommend The Biophilia Hypothesis, which he co-edited with Stephen Kellert. It is published by Shearwater and was reprinted in 1995.