Application and Efficacy of Visitation Dog Therapy by Volunteers in the Care of the Aged - Interactive effect of three parties : senior people, volunteers and nursing home staff

从2002年1月至2005年2月，志愿者开展了37次犬疗活动，其中观察者参与了22次。每次访问的参与者是9.5名志愿者，9.4只治疗犬，25.7名老年人和4.8名工作人员。该计划包括由工作人员介绍老年居民给在大厅等待的志愿者，并开始与狗互动。在观看了狗的表演后，老年人参加了集体唱歌和活动，包括使用他们的胳膊和腿。最后，老人们回到了自己的住处，志愿者和狗为他们送行。质量分析显示，志愿者进行的狗探视治疗计划对老年人有以下五个有益的影响：（1）个人情绪的公开表达，这种情绪往往被压抑。（2）对狗的行为的反应引起的身体活动的改善。（3）通过与狗分享感觉来刺激积极的交流。（4）通过狗的中介能力刺激人际交往。（5）通过回忆与狗有关的事件，恢复完整性和信心。该程序的效果与以下6个因素有关：（1）狗和志愿者的能力。（2）基于个人和密切互动的小组活动方案的效果。（3）狗和老人之间的平衡。（4）参与者的选择。（5）氛围。（6）志愿者群体的客观性标准和连续性：在每个项目结束后进行的志愿者意见调查中，满意度平均为3.9±0.53（1 ~ 5分），表明志愿者对项目感到满意。

The effects and influencing factors of a visitation dog therapy program conducted by volunteers were qualitatively analyzed by the grounded theory approach.From January, 2002 to February, 2005, dog therapy program was held 37 times, out of which observers participated in the program 22 times. The participants in the program per visit were 9.5 volunteers, 9.4 therapy dogs, 25.7 senior people, and 4.8 staff members.The program consisted of the senior residents being introduced by staff members to the volunteers who were waiting in the hall and beginning to interact with the dogs. After watching performances by dogs, the seniors joined in group singing and activities involving use of their arms and legs. In the end, seniors returned to their living quarters, while volunteers and dogs saw them off.Quality analysis showed the following five beneficial effects to the aged from the dog visitation therapy program conducted by volunteers : (1)Outward expression of personal emotions, which tended to be repressed. (2)Improvement of physical activity elicited in response to dogs' actions. (3)Stimulation of active communication by sharing feeling with dogs. (4)Stimulation of interpersonal interactions by mediating capacity of dogs. (5)Recovery of integrity and confidence by recalling episodes with dogs.The efficacy of the program was found to be related to the following 6 factors : (1)Capacities of dogs and volunteers. (2)Effects of group activity program based on personal and close interaction. (3)Balance between dogs and senior people. (4)Selection of participants. (5)Ambience. (6)Standards and continuity of objectivity of volunteer groups.By opinion surveys of volunteers performed after completion of each program, the satisfaction rating averaged 3.9±0.53 (in the range of 1 to 5), showing that the program was satisfying for them.