Enhancing human-animal relationships through veterinary medical instruction in animal-assisted therapy and animal-assisted activities
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| Category | Journal Articles |
|---|---|
| Abstract |
Instruction in animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and animal-assisted activities (AAAs) teaches veterinary medical students to confidently and assertively maximize the benefits and minimize the risks of this union of animals and people. Instruction in AAT/AAA also addresses requirements by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education that accredited schools/colleges of veterinary medicine include in their standard curriculum the topics of the human-animal bond, behavior, and the contributions of the veterinarian to the overall public and professional health care teams. Entry-level veterinarians should be prepared to: (1) assure that animals who provide AAT/AAA are healthy enough to visit nursing homes, hospitals, or other institutions; (2) promote behavior testing that selects animals who will feel safe, comfortable, and connected; (3) advise facilities regarding infection control and ways to provide a safe environment where the animals, their handlers, and the people being visited will not be injured or become ill; and (4) advocate for their patients and show compassion for their clients when animals are determined to be inappropriate participants in AAT/AAA programs. This article presents AAT/AAA terminology, ways in which veterinarians can advocate for AAT/AAA, the advantages of being involved in AAT/AAA, a model AAT/AAA practicum from Tuskegee University's School of Veterinary Medicine (TUSVM), and examples of co-curricular activities in AAT/AAA by TUSVM's student volunteers. |
| Date | 2008 |
| Publication Title | Journal of Veterinary Medical Education |
| Volume | 35 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 503-510 |
| ISBN/ISSN | 0748-321X |
| DOI | 10.3138/jvme.35.4.503 |
| Author Address | Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine at Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Al 36088, USA.schaffertusvm@yahoo.com |
| Additional Language | English |
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