Animal-Assisted Interventions in Health Care Settings: A Best Practices Manual for Establishing New Programs

by Sandra B. Barker, Rebecca A. Vokes, Randolph T. Barker

Overview

Growing literature around the benefits of animal-assisted intervention (AAI) spurs health care professionals and administrators to start new programs. Yet the trend also raises questions of how best to begin and run successful AAI programs—under what circumstances, with what staff, and within what guidelines.

Animal-Assisted Interventions in Health Care Settings: A Best Practices Manual for Establishing New Programs succinctly outlines how best to develop, implement, run, and evaluate AAI programs. Drawing on extensive professional experiences and research from more than fifteen years of leading the Center for Human-Animal Interaction in the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, the authors discuss both best practices and best reasons for establishing AAI programs. For thorough consideration, the text explores benefits from a variety of perspectives, including how AAI can improve patient experience, provide additional career development for staff, and contribute favorably to organizational culture and to the reputation of the facility in the surrounding community.

Developed for administrators as well as for volunteers and staff, Animal-Assisted Interventions in Health Care Settings includes practical, case-based examples for easy comprehension and offers an accompanying online user-friendly template that can be adapted to develop practice-specific training, evaluation, and procedure manuals.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781557538154
Publisher:	Purdue University Press
Publication date:	01/15/2019
Series:	New Directions in the Human-Animal Bond
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	102
Sales rank:	187,224
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Sandra B. Barker is a professor of psychiatry and Bill Balaban Chair in Human-Animal Interaction at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). She is director of the VCU School of Medicine Center for Human-Animal Interaction. Barker has more than 25 years of direct experience in human-animal interaction research and animal-assisted intervention practice.

Rebecca Holloway is a volunteer coordinator at the Center for Human-Animal Interaction and a master's of health administration candidate at VCU. Holloway has considerable experience in volunteer recruitment, retention, and management. She also has a background in dog training, and has served as a research assistant on several animal-assisted intervention studies.

Randolph T. Barker is a professor emeritus in the VCU School of Business and a fellow and professor at the Williamson Institute for Health Studies. Barker has extensive experience in management and program implementation. He serves as affiliate faculty senior research associate and administrative volunteer in the Center for Human-Animal Interaction.

Table of Contents

Preface
1. The Health Care Administrator’s Overview of AAI
2. AAI Program Structure
3. Establishing Requirements: AAI Program Entry
4. Establishing Requirements: AAI Implementation
5. Maintaining Compliance: Renewals, Record Keeping, and Team Retention
6. Program Evaluation
7. Beyond Visitation: Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) and Facility Dogs
Summary, Opportunity, and the Future
References
Additional Resources

Editorial Reviews

"This publication is the extremely helpful compilation of practical experience gained over decades and the underlying research that supports the book's claims. It brings together important aspects of the actual therapy animal visits with a good grounding in program development and management. With its focus on acute care settings, it is possible for anyone to apply the principles in this guide and adjust them appropriately for the population and venue while recognizing the critical importance of client safety and animal welfare. We're delighted this resource is available." —C. Annie Peters, President & CEO: Pet Partners

"The authors of this book provide unique insight and guidance for enhancing the patient experience and team member resiliency by establishing an AAI program. As a leader, I have witnessed firsthand the positive and calming impact animals have on patients and team members. When dogs walk down a hallway, they pause repeatedly and permit patients, visitors, and team members alike a few moments of respite. The tension released is palpable. Logically, the book's clear outline of policies and procedures must be abided. Sentimentally, AAI programs are a wonderful complementary service to offer your patients and team members." —Deborah W. Davis, Vice President for Clinical Services: Virginia Commonwealth University and Chief Executive Officer: Virginia Commonwealth University Health System

"Barker, Vokes, and Barker's book is a true gem! As a leading researcher and practitioner in the field of AAI, Barker, along with her colleagues, have assembled a book that is rich in theory and practice. The pages are filled with best practice advice from seasoned practitioners who are not only aware of how to develop reliable and safe AA interventions for patients, but also strategies to preserve animal welfare. This is a must-read book for all professionals working in health care settings!" —Aubrey H. Fine, Professor Emeritus: California Polytechnic University and author of Afternoons with Puppy and the Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy

From the Publisher

Barker, Vokes, and Barker’s book is a true gem! As a leading researcher and practitioner in the field of AAI, Barker, along with her colleagues, have assembled a book that is rich in theory and practice. The pages are filled with best practice advice from seasoned practitioners who are not only aware of how to develop reliable and safe AA interventions for patients,
but also strategies to preserve animal welfare. This is a must-read book for all professionals working in health care settings!”

Aubrey H. Fine

The authors of this book provide unique insight and guidance for enhancing the patient experience and team member resiliency by establishing an AAI
program. As a leader, I have witnessed firsthand the positive and calming impact animals have on patients and team members. When dogs walk down a hallway, they pause repeatedly and permit patients, visitors, and team members alike a few moments of respite. The tension released is palpable. Logically, the book’s clear outline of policies and procedures must be abided. Sentimentally, AAI programs are a wonderful complementary service to offer your patients and team members.”

Deborah W. Davis

This publication is the extremely helpful compilation of practical experience gained over decades and the underlying research that supports the book’s claims. It brings together important aspects of the actual therapy animal visits with a good grounding in program development and management. With its focus on acute care settings, it is possible for anyone to apply the principles in this guide and adjust them appropriately for the population and venue while recognizing the critical importance of client safety and animal welfare. We’re delighted this resource is available.”

C. Annie Peters