11: PTs Are Able To Use Animals In Rehab Flashcards
(23 cards)
Affirmative Opening Statement
• Recovery is about meaning, not just movement.
• Animals restore connection, motivation, and spirit, which is often missed with traditional methods
• “Sometimes… recovery walks in on four legs.” 😍🐾
Definition of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT)
• AAT is a goal-directed intervention involving animals as part of treatment.
• Delivered by professionals, aimed at improving physical, emotional, cognitive, or social functions.
• Can be individual or group-based. The process is documented and evaluated.
Types of AAT
• Hippotherapy
• Canine therapy
• Dolphin therapy
Affirmative Arguments
- Physical
- Behavioral
- Cognitive
What supported the affirmative argument “PHYSICAL: Enhancing physical and functional rehabilitation across conditions” ?
• Animals (Horses/dogs) provide natural rhythmic movement, stimulating the body
• Hippotherapy mimics human walking, improves posture, balance, trunk control.
• Meta-analysis: Hippotherapy improves gross motor skills in children with CP
• Dogs help stroke patients with gait, stride, and breathing.
• Service animals extend therapy benefits to daily life (boosts safety, independence, & confidence)
What supported the affirmative argument “EMOTIONAL: Emotional bonds boost patient engagement and motivation” ?
• Animals create a sense of trust, comfort—especially in anxious/resistant patients.
• Boosts participation and consistency due to emotional connection
• Reduces physiological indicators of stress (RR, HR, BP).
• Examples: Dolphin center in Florida and AlJalila Hospital in UAE.
What supported the affirmative argument “COGNITIVE: provides unique social stimulus that encourage both communication and cognitive function” ?
• Promotes memory, language, focus through natural interaction that animals can trigger
• Dog therapy improved verbal and non-verbal communication in autistic children.
• 2012 study: animal interaction activates brain regions , promoting neuroplasticity after stroke
Opposition Opening Statement
• PT should be based on professional, ethical methods.
• Animals in rehab are unnecessary given advanced alternatives.
Opposition arguments
- Risks associated with animal – assisted interventions.
- Ethical and professional concerns.
- Zoophobia
What supported the opposition argument “Risks associated with animal – assisted interventions” ?
- Infection risk: zoonotic pathogens, posing a threat to immunocompromised patient
- Allergic reactions: in patients/staff.
- Unpredictable animal behavior: may cause injury/emotional distress.
- Inadequate Hygiene: may spread pathogens in clinics
What supported the opposition argument “ethical and professional concerns.” ?
2021 article discusses ethics in AAT, noting:
- Lack of standardized training:
No universal guidelines exist for using animals in therapy. - Professional responsibility:
Therapist is solely responsible for safety, which may be inadequate.
What supported the opposition argument “Zoophobia.” ?
• Extreme fear of animals affects willingness to engage in therapy.
• Source: Cleveland Clinic
• Limits accessibility and effectiveness of rehab.
How did the opposition team define zoophobia?
Affirmative rebuttal to “Risks associated with AAT”
• Infection risk is minimized by using certified, screened, and vaccinated animals with proper hygiene protocols.
• Allergies are managed by screening patients and using hypoallergenic breeds.
• Animal behavior is controlled with trained, temperament-tested animals.
• Hygiene standards follow CDC grooming and hand hygiene guidelines.
Which types of dogs are often used because of their low allergenic potential for AAT according to the affirmative team?
Poodles and Labradoodles
Affirmative rebuttal to “Ethical and professional concerns”
• Certified programs (e.g., Pet Partners) provide standardized ethical guidelines.
• Regulation is improving with research/demand.
• Trained professionals ensure safety.
• Ethics drive progress, not rejection of effective tools.
• APTA supports AAT under certified ethical practice.
Affirmative rebuttal to “Zoophobia”
• Therapy is optional and patient-centered.
• Alternatives are offered.
• Fear in some patients shouldn’t prevent others from benefitting.
• Flexibility ensures inclusion, not exclusion.
• Phobias don’t invalidate the method they call for adaptation
Affirmative Closing Statement
• AAT offers unique benefits beyond routine methods.
• It connects clinical goals with patient motivation and progress.
• Supported by research, confirmed by outcomes, and validated by patients.
• It’s not about allowing animals—it’s about realizing we need them (how could we not?)
Opposition Rebuttal to “PHYSICAL: Enhancing physical and functional rehabilitation across conditions”
• Evidence for AAT like hippotherapy is limited and inconsistent.
• Standard PT is more accessible and evidence-based.
• Providing service animals isn’t PT’s responsibility + unnecessary + costly
Opposition Rebuttal to “EMOTIONAL: Emotional bonds boost patient engagement and motivation”
• Therapist-patient bond offers similar benefits.
• Animal interaction may create a barrier between therapist and patient.
• Emotional effects are short-lived, not unique to animals + some may not tolerate/prefer animals
Opposition Rebuttal to “COGNITIVE: provides unique social stimulus that encourage both communication and cognitive function”
• Humans are more effective in social interaction.
• Neuroplasticity better achieved through task repetition, sensory integration, dual tasking ( all of which are standardized and reliable unlike AAT )
• Some low-quality studies suggest minor benefits in autism.
Opposition Closing Statement
• AAT seems appealing but lacks strong evidence.
• Raises safety and ethical issues.
• PT should stay evidence-based.
