Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Family Medicine, Pediatric Care, Pediatrics, Volunteering
What is Animal Assisted Therapy?
Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a relatively well-known practice throughout the United States. Volunteers “team up” with their pet(s), typically dogs, to support those in need. Individuals and their pets visit medical and mental health facilities: outpatient clinics, psychiatric inpatient units, medical inpatient units, nursing homes and schools.
These volunteers and their pets are certified by nonprofit agencies, such as The Delta Society and the Good Dog Foundation. These organizations generally accept adult volunteers (ages 18-plus) who would like to devote their time to this therapeutic cause. The volunteers need not be mental health professionals. In fact, many individuals and families who are motivated to engage in AAT work in a variety of industries full-time.
What is Animal Assisted Psychotherapy?
Animal Assisted Psychotherapy (AAP) consists of a mental health professional’s using his or her pet as a therapeutic tool to enhance the work with the client.
How does the animal enhance the therapeutic process?
• The animal is safe to bond with. Clients often feel more comfortable expressing a range of feelings in the therapy room when they are able to pet my dog, Barney, during session.
• The animal is used to help children develop the capacity to empathize with others. For example, if a child scares my therapy dog by chasing him, or withdraws a treat after Barney thinks he will receive it, I will comment, “How might Barney be feeling right now?”
• The animal often enacts what the client has difficulty expressing. For example, if the client is anxious, my therapy dog will start pacing around the room. Noticing how Barney’s enactments mimic their own distress helps clients become more aware and tolerant of their own feelings.
• For children and teenagers, practicing tricks with the therapy dog helps improve their self-esteem and self-efficacy.
Who is ‘Barney the Therapy Dog,’ and how is he incorporated into your work at The Child and Family Institute?
Barney (my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) has been working with me at the Child and Family Institute since 2012. After becoming certified by the Good Dog Foundation, Barney was enrolled as a volunteer pet therapist. At the Child and Family Institute, Barney co-leads animal assisted psychotherapy groups for children with trauma history, and participates in child and adult individual psychotherapy sessions with me.
Oct 18, 2012 | Holistic Health, Integrative Medicine, Pediatric Care, Pediatrics, Surgery
Guest blog post by Andrea L. Hughie, RN, MSN.
Little Samirawit Hailemariam (Sami) was introduced to the INN (Hyman-Newman Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery) at Mount Sinai Roosevelt in August of 2011. Initially a shy and guarded four year old, Sami left her family in Ethiopia to travel to New York City for advanced treatment of her life threatening venous malformation. If left untreated this dangerous collection of vessels could have caused Sami to bleed to death. In her eight months in the United States the large venous malformation that covered the entire left side of her face and mouth was significantly reduced and stabilized by the advanced technology and techniques of Dr. Alejandro Berenstein and Dr. Milton Waner. (more…)
Oct 7, 2012 | Pediatrics
In honor of Mental Illness Awareness Week, we are sharing this blog post that was originally featured on The Child and Family Institute Notes.
For some young people — one in every 33 children and one in eight adolescents to be exact — sad is how they feel all the time. When sadness persists and interferes with a child’s or adolescent’s ability to function, the person is considered depressed. Young people under stress, who experience loss, or who have attention, learning, conduct or anxiety disorders are at a higher risk for becoming depressed. Once a young person has experienced a major depression, he or she is at risk of becoming depressed again within the next five years.
The behavior of depressed children and teenagers may differ from the behavior of depressed adults. Also, when asked directly, many children will say that they are unhappy and sad, but may not use the word depressed. Here are some other warning signs:
* A kid who used to be outgoing now shows little interest in socializing.
* Things that once brought joy don’t anymore.
* The person talks of suicide.
* The person abuses drugs or alcohol.
* He or she experiences changes in sleeping and eating habits.
Research shows that treatment of major depression is as effective for children and teens as it is for adults. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential. Comprehensive treatment often includes individual and family therapy, and in some cases antidepressant medication.
Call 212-523-7990 to register for a free, confidential, depression screening at Roosevelt Hospital on Thursday, October 11, 2012.
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Diet and Nutrition, OB/GYN, Pediatrics, Women's Health
I have been a lactation consultant at Beth Israel Medical Center since 2001. Mount Sinai Beth Israel has been working on the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. “Baby-Friendly” is the official description of an initiative created by the World Health Organization and UNICEF to encourage hospitals all over the world to promote healthy feeding choices for infants. Achieving baby-friendly designation is a lengthy process and involves a thorough site visit. There are currently about 130 hospitals in the United States that have achieved this designation. In 2010, Beth Israel was awarded a grant from the New York City Department of Health to pursue this designation. (more…)
