Pet Partners of Acadiana

History

In 1996, several local residents recognized the benefit of human-animal interaction to promote health and well- being in community members who were ill or in recovery. Due to their familiarity with the success of animal-assisted interactions in other states, these three individuals created Pets for Health, now known as Pet Partners of Acadiana, Inc., as an organization to improve the lives of residents in the area. The group approached Lafayette General Medical Center (LGMC) to work with the infectious disease department in an effort to comply and ensure that all policies and procedures were met for animal-handler teams entering facilities.

On February 22, 1999, our organization was recognized and incorporated with the Louisiana Secretary of State with an original organizational board consisting of a veterinarian, attorney, LGMC liaison, nurse, occupational therapist, accountant, mental health counselor, and a physician. It was that year that Pets for Health marched as a group in the first Krewe des Chiens parade as one method of many to promote the organization and its work within the local community.

Code of Conduct

Pet Partners of Acadiana, Inc. follows a strict code of conduct provided by Pet Partners, the national affiliate. The guidelines of service for volunteer teams are provided by Pet Partners and can be found on their website at http://www.petpartners.org.

Additionally, Pet Partners of Acadiana, Inc. volunteers maintain the confidentiality of clients served while adhering to HIPAA guidelines regarding our clients’ health statuses.

Training

Volunteer teams undergo a rigorous, standardized, and comprehensive training to be registered through Pet Partners nationally and registered with Pet Partners of Acadiana, Inc. locally. Additionally, handlers undergo volunteer training at each specific volunteer site. For information on applying to become a Pet Partners registered handler, please visit https://petpartners.org/volunteer/become-a-handler/

Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI)

Animal-assisted interventions (AAI) are goal oriented and structured interventions that intentionally incorporate animals in health, education and human service for the purpose of therapeutic gains and improved health and wellness. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT), animal-assisted education (AAE) and animal-assisted activities (AAA) are all forms of AAI.

An explanation of the three types of animal therapy work Pet Partners of Acadiana, Inc. volunteer teams practice follows.

Animal Assisted Activity (AAA)

→ Provides opportunities for motivational, educational, recreational, and/or therapeutic benefits to enhance quality of life.

→ Is delivered in a variety of environments by specially-trained professionals, paraprofessionals, and/or volunteers, in association with animals that meet specific criteria.

→Is typically a casual "meet and greet" that involves pets visiting people.

Example: An individual brings her dog to a children's long-term care facility to "play" with residents. Although the staff is involved in the visits, the staff has not set treatment goals for the interactions. Aside from signing in and out, no records are kept.

Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT)

→ Utilizes the animal/handler bond in goal-directed interventions as an integral part of a treatment process.

→ Uses an animal/handler team as a tool in occupational, physical, mental health counseling, or speech therapy.

→ Involves a credentialed therapist working within the scope of practice of his/her profession. This professional sets therapeutic goals, guides the therapeutic intervention, and evaluates the process between patient and animal/handler team.

Example: An occupational therapist sets a goal for a child to improve range of motion in his/her right arm. The intervention includes petting, brushing, or feeding a therapy animal with the child’s right arm. While stimulating the muscle groups directed for therapy, the child is less likely to resist, as they might not even realize therapy was taking place.

Animal Assisted Education (AAE)

→ A goal oriented, planned and structured intervention directed by a general education or special education professional.

→ Focuses on academic goals, prosocial skills and cognitive functioning with student progress being both measured and documented.

→ A reading/literacy program at a local school. Child reads an assigned book to the animal. Because the animal is non-judgemental, the child becomes relaxed and gains confidence in reading skills. The educator measures and documents the student's progress.

To learn more about Animal-Assisted Interventions, visit https://petpartners.org/learn/terminology/