ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY FEATURE
In June this year , occupational therapist Krissy Walker was contacted by Heidi Harrison-Price , a psychiatric nurse , to assess the suitability of a project involving the herd of llamas acquired by Carnfield Hall six years ago , with service users at Field House , a specialist rehabilitation service for women with a history of trauma and / or attachment disorders .
Following this meeting it was clear to both that this could be incorporated into the occupational therapy programme and go handin-hand with the compassion-focused therapy approach used at Field House .
Background Llamas are unusual animals , with individual personalities ; they are stubborn , inquisitive and nonchalant . However , over time , Heidi began to appreciate that they are also intuitive , responsive and gentle . With some assistance from the British Llama Society , and her 24 years of experience working as a mental health nurse , Heidi was able to establish a co-operative and respectful relationship , finding success in applying both calm and reassuring techniques to increase the compliance of the llamas to an extent that they could engage in everyday working .
Heidi reports : ‘ Not only did I need a personal awareness , I needed to adopt an “ in their shoes ” approach .’
Having worked since 2004 with many large health providers , she has also developed an awareness of the negative effect that daily intense stresses can have on staff . ‘ Witnessing so many nurses reach burn out , I resolved to only work part time in the profession ,’ she says .
‘ Having alternative work and activities has enabled me to maintain the passion and devotion to nursing that I had when I first qualified .’
Heidi began a literature research and found that animal assisted therapy has huge benefits , predominantly in the management of depression and anxiety . ‘ I realised the opportunity to use my extensive experience in mental health – and my newly-discovered llama wrangling skills – to design something that would compliment and reinforce techniques taught in talking therapies ,’ she explains .
‘ Something that would share the terminology and modules , but was outside of the confines of the clinical setting ; an animal therapy that could quantifiably evidence long-term benefits , and address areas other than just depression and anxiety .’
This inspirating saw Heidi design an augmented therapy approach programme that draws from several different theoretical treatment modalities , incorporating elements of cognitive behavioural therapy and third wave therapies such as positive behaviour support , dialectical behaviour therapy and compassion focused therapy .
‘ The idea is that it can be delivered prior to , in collaboration with , or to support the therapies that service users are familiar with ,’ she says .
Krissy Walker , lead occupational therapist at Field House , recognises that occupational therapists are always looking for opportunities to increase active physical participation , time outdoors and ways to integrate back into the local community . ‘ This is a part of the care pathway at Field House ,’ she says .
‘ Heidi really recognises this and is very supportive of the profession ’ s approach within mental health .’
Heidi states that ‘ by empowering individuals to appreciate the direct benefits of applying skills in a unique setting , [ it ] not only evidences the diversity of therapy , theoretically , recollection and absorption of information is also greater .’
Running the programme Elysium Healthcare ’ s Field House decided to run the programme throughout June and July 2021 . The sessions ran once a week , for between two and a half and three hours . The time was divided between field and classroom work , starting with a ‘ dump session ’. This was followed by a Powerpoint presentation on the llama-related skills that were to be developed that day .
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Mindfulness and emotional regulation was explored and individuals were encouraged to reflect on how their current skills could be applied to support the llama ’ s needs .
The ‘ dump ’ involved writing down a frustration or irritant that participants ( and staff and the facilitator ) had experienced during the week , placing it on the table , thinking about it , and if wishing to , discussing it .
The purpose of this was to leave the problems away from the llamas ; to recognise them , accept them , and to be able to complete an activity without them interfering . The patients were then each assigned a llama , for whom they assumed a ‘ keyworker ’ responsibility . The course was supported by a diary , which enabled recall and understanding , encouraged discussion and created a monologue of findings , and skill acquisition . This mostly related to llama-orientated tasks , but accompanying homework supported the transition of skills .
Selection of service users deemed appropriate for the course was based on a self-referral into the programme and also current risk levels and motivation to participate . Prior to starting the course , the participants were asked to rate their interpersonal skills .
At the end of the course , they were encouraged to complete an evaluation , including rating scales to see if there have been any changes subjectively .
Each patient received recognition from the multidisciplinary team during their ward round meetings and a certificate from Heidi .
Programme structure In weeks one and two , group rules were established , before participants were given an initial introduction to the llamas , including their traits , personalities , and the history of the use of llamas in human civilisation .
OTnews December 2021 35