The spcaLA Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) Program was started in 1986 with the goal of promoting the human-animal bond, and enriching the physical and psychological well-being of people confined to hospitals and other institutions. Under the guidance of the spcaLA Volunteer Services Department, volunteers and their companion animals visit facilities on a monthly basis. All companion animals must be in excellent health and have the right temperament for this unique and rewarding work.
spcaLA volunteers visit a variety of facilities throughout Los Angeles including senior homes, children's hospitals, homeless shelters and AIDS hospices. The volunteer/animal team will spend approximately 45 minutes to one hour at each facility, giving patients an opportunity to chat with the volunteers, as well as pet and hug their animals. These visits are provided at no charge, though donations are greatly appreciated. In addition to regular monthly facility visits, spcaLA has honored specific requests, such as, bringing a Boxer to visit a man dying in an AIDS hospice, fulfilling the birthday wish of a 101-year-old man who wanted to hold a cat, also providing a special visit with dogs and a baseball celebrity at a local hospital for disabled children.
Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy
- Physical Benefits
- Exercise and sensory stimulation
- Decreased blood pressure
- Comfort of touch
- Diversion from pain
- Emotional Benefits
- Unconditional love and attention
- Spontaneous expression of emotion
- Reduced loneliness
- Decreased anxietyIncreased relaxation
- Special Benefits
- Recreation
- Diversion and relief from boredom
- Change in the monotony and isolation of life in institutional settings
- Opportunity to communicate with the animal without regard for speech or hearing deficits
- Cognitive Benefits
- Exercise of long and short-term memory in discussion of the animals and the patient's former pets
If you would like to be an AAT volunteer, and you think your animal is suited to this kind of work, please fill out an application (click here), call our Director of Volunteer Services at 1-888-SPCA-LA1 (888-772-2521) ext.300 or email info@spcala.com
