Pet-assisted therapy useful in treating ADD

by Susan Schaefer, Gazette Advertiser - May, 2000

Harry is a 9-pound bichon frise puppy that loves people. His-owner, Dr. Rita Kirsch Debroitner, has found success utilizing Harry in treating children and adults with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders (ADD/ADHD). "Moving outward is an important ability in order to move beyond attention deficit disorder. Animals can help in this learning process," she said. Kirsch, a certified social worker and Ph.D., is also a holistic psychotherapist and creator of the Rhinecliff Non-Drug ADD/ADHD program and the co-author of "Moving Beyond ADD/ADHD: An Effective, Holistic, Mind-Body Approach." ADD/ADHD takes time to diagnose, but symptoms, of the disorder may include inattention and inability to listen, fidgeting, difficulty playing quietly, excessive talking, difficulty organizing tasks, and inappropriate responses or behaviors. "My model is not a disease model," said Kirsch, who added that the causes of ADD/ADHD have yet to be determined. She believes in treating the disorder with behavior modification, rather than with medication.	DOCTOR AND ASSISTANT: Dr. Rita Kirsch Debroitner and Harry, a bichon frise, work as a team in therapy sessions with children and adults. (Photo by Susan Schaefer.)
	"Here we do the work very successfully without the medication, and teach children how to organize themselves. They don't have a sense of inner self, or inner self organization; they're lacking structure," she said. Kirsch's pet assisted therapy program uses Harry to teach "grounding"' techniques such as breathing and relaxation to help them achieve what she calls "the most optimal state for learning." "The Bichon is known for being outgoing and friendly," she said. "Physical contact is very important; the deeper connection that an animal makes, removes ADD clients from their "fight or flight" state. They have two choices: action or reaction. All ADD clients are in reaction."	The goals of the pet assisted therapy program are to reduce anxiety, build positive self-esteem, increase attention skill's, increase vocabulary and communication skills, and improve interaction with others. According to many studies, animals have proven to have a relaxing effect on people's heart rates and blood pressures. Kirsch said Harry's presence during therapy also helps children to focus on tasks and learn to meet their goals. "We help families to become more positive and more proactive," she said.