Pet therapy: how animals, technology combat illnesses

(ANSA) - Living with the company of animals is undoubtedly beneficial. Recently, however, pets have started to help humans in a new way - in the treatment of illnesses.
    Animal-assisted Therapy (AAT), also known as pet therapy or zootherapy, is a method that sees patients undergo physical, social, sensorial and psychological rehabilitation with the help of animals: a practice that is recognised by the CFM (Federal Council of Medicine) and the COFFITO (Federal Council of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy). "Pet therapy is a method in which an animal is used as a mediator in the therapeutic process," Liana Santos, the director of the Gati Ippoterapia clinic, explained to ANSA.
    "For example, there is dog-assisted therapy, in which professionals and the animal have a direct influence on the emotions, relations and situations of conflict of the patient.
    "Horses are used in hippotherapy within an interdisciplinary framework that involves horse riding, health interventions and education to achieve motor and psychological development in people who have special needs".
    A course of medical treatment with animals features a specific programme and is conducted with a therapist - a physiotherapist, a speech therapist or another professional - to direct the exercises.
    "The horse is used as an assistant in hippotherapy for three reasons: cultural, because it is an animal associated with strength, power, self-confidence and has a strong image in social terms; psychological, because the patient gets to ride and control an animal that weighs a lot more than him or her; and simple biomechanics - it is physiotherapy," Santos said.
    Animal-assisted therapy usually requires the involvement of the patient's whole body, thus contributing to the development of muscle mass and the improvement of the motor coordination and balance of disabled people. The animals also stimulate brain activity, the release of hormones and they even bring down blood pressure. "Children project themselves on to the animal," added Santos.
    "This gives fresh value to affection and their sense of responsibility - they have to feed them, work together, get dressed and undressed".
    TECHNOLOGY Assistance technology is getting more widely recognized and is considered one of the main areas for the application of artificial intelligence.
    It is currently possible to program electronic devices to help people with special needs and apps downloaded onto tablets and cell phones can be used too. This year a series of technological developments for the sector will be presented at the International Fair of Technologies for Rehabilitation, Inclusion and Accessibility (Reatech), which takes place in Sao Paulo June 13-16. The event has been organised by Cipa Fiera Milano.
    At Reatech, Gati Ippoterapia will present "communication cards created to stimulate language, starting from assisted therapy with animals". This system was designed for tablets and smart phones and it can feature the inclusion of symbols and customised voices and sounds that can also be the sounds produced by the animals themselves. The patients can use the technology in their relations with the animals, starting from this data. According to Santos, the device can be used in therapy assisted by horse and other animals - dogs, birds, reptiles, rodents - and it was created, above all, for children that do not talk or have communication problems. "We are working on a technology that can aid therapy with animals," said Santos.
    "Children recognise emojis and a fusion can take place on the basis of this.
    "There are lots of children who don't know how to tie up their shoe laces, but they are really good with computers and video games".
    In addition to these cards, there are also other facilitation technologies than can aid pet therapy, like leads for guide dogs that can feature emojis and letters to help with literacy and the use of language to optimise communication. Another innovation with be presented by Andrea Werner, the author of the book 'Lagarta Vira Pupa' (the caterpillar becomes chrysalis), as part of the pet course that will take place during the event. She will talk about her experiences and illustrate practical activities. For its part, Minas Gerais's Geraes Tecnologia Assistiva startup will present an innovative system called TiX that makes it possible for people with any from of motor restriction to control a computer. The device has the same functions as a mouse or a keyboard and can even be controlled by the blink of an eye.