Sick Fish In Therapy

"Sick Fish in Therapy"," As a result of the unique populations I work with, I partner with animals in my practice.

I began doing Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) seven years ago and like many of us in the field, I thought I created the idea.
 To date I have worked with hundreds of children and youth through the medium of AAT.
 There is much documented research that provides evidence to support the physical, cognitive, social and psychological benefits of partnering animals and humans.

Recently in a presentation with Psychologists from Japan I was asked: ""What about fish? Can you work with sick fish in therapy?"" Immediately the research about aquarium tanks sprung to mind.
 In Indiana, Purdue University conducted a study on the effects of colorful fish aquariums on Alzheimer's patients.
 The study also showed a decrease in behaviors such as wandering, pacing, yelling and physical aggression.

Another ""fish therapy"" method that I immediately thought of was Dolphin Assisted Therapy (DAT).
 DAT has reportedly been conducted with a variety of ages, illnesses and diseases, including cancer.
 Many of the studies claim that there is an increase in endorphins in the human brain while swimming with dolphins and that the therapy is therefore relaxing and results in an increase in positive mood.
 Marino (2007), a researcher at Emory University, states that: ""DAT is bad for People and for Dolphins.

I am also aware of two other types of aquatic animals currently helping people in the United States.
 One is a sea turtle who was rescued due to a large dent in its shell.
 The turtle is gentle and is helping children with disabilities.
 It has been reported that this therapy has helped the boy to engage in social tasks, to develop his upper body strength and has resulted in an increase in his self esteem and confidence.
 In one case, it provides motivation for a boy with Cerebral Palsy to get out of his wheelchair, make the painful climb up the many stairs to the aquarium center, stand while preparing food for the stingray and continue standing with support while he feeds it.
 Reportedly this boy has experienced an increase in his leg muscles, ability to walk, self esteem and confidence.
 Here is what I came up with (but first I must say that goldfish do not do well in bowls.
 They can survive the small unfiltered environments and stagnant water.

Well, a fish in a bowl.
 Perhaps he is depressed or has lived out his life in group care settings being moved around often with no choice of his own.
"" He is in your office and you have a fish in a bowl.
 Drawing his attention to it in a therapeutic way may be beneficial in helping to validate his feelings of helplessness but also may help him explore choice options that he does have in his life, unlike the fish.
 Discussion around the size of the bowl that the fish lives in can be an analogy to the opportunities the fish has; the smaller the bowl, the lesser the opportunities.
 Exploring the pros and cons of different ""sizes of the bowl,"" whether we are alone in the ""bowl,"" whether there are things to do in the ""bowl,"" and what might happen if we move into a bigger ""bowl"" with more inhabitants and things to do are all areas that might be discussed as a way of helping the client perceive his or her life situation and decide whether to change it.
 We can also tell stories about people, animals and/or situations.


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