All Coast is proud to offer Animal Assisted Physical Therapy! One of the few programs available in Rhode Island!
What is Animal Assisted Therapy? AAT is the use of an animal as an intregral part of a goal-oriented intervention, under the guidance of a specially-trained care professional. Human-animal interaction has been shown to decrease cortisol levels (or stress hormone) in the brain: promoting relaxation, reducing anxiety, and distracting from pain or worry.
What does a session look like? Group and individual sessions consist of stations tailored to the patients' specific impairements, particularly concerns with physical balance, mobility gait and gross-motor skills. Patients will work with Bryan, a physical therapist, a certified therapy dog and its handler; a physical therapist's aide may also be available. The therapy dog is used as a clinical tool, helping to engage the patient's attention and increasing the motivational effectiveness of physical therapy. Sessions will conclude with each patient spending one-on-one time with Bryan to address individual needs, such as stretching, manual manipulation, etc.
What are the benefits of AAT? AAT can increase strength, mobility, flexibility, balance, motor control, gross motor development, reflex response and reaction, and body awareness. It has also been proven to increase self-esteem, confidence, concentration and focus, mood, social skills and sense of responsibility.
