AAA (ATIVIDADES ASSISTIDAS POR ANIMAIS) OU ZOOTERAPIA APLICADAS A PESSOAS COM DEFICIÊNCIAS (PcD), CRIANÇAS EM VULNERABILIDADE SOCIAL E IDOSOS

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.0212407062

• Palavras-chave: saúde mental; socialização; bem-estar; animais; medicina-veterinária.

• Keywords: mental health; socialization; well-being; animals; veterinary medicine.

• Abstract: Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA) can be defined as recreation, distraction and entertainment in general, whose function is to improve the quality of life of any individual, without a targeted therapeutic objective and without prior analysis of the person being assisted.  Companionship with pets is known to reduce loneliness and stress, combat depression and help develop social competence, empathy and cooperation. Interaction between dogs and the elderly results in physical benefits (increased mobility and stabilization of blood pressure), mental benefits (memory stimulation), social benefits (increased communication and interaction, exchange of information, feeling of security and motivation) and emotional benefits (improved attention, increased spontaneity, joy, exchange of affection and reduced loneliness and anxiety). This paper reports on the experiences of the extension program of zootherapy at the State University of Northern Paraná (UENP - CLM), called Animal Assisted Activities (AAA),or  zootherapy ,carried out between November 2022 and November 2023. The project served the São Vicente de Paula Home for the Elderly, the Dr. Bezerra de Menezes Children's Home and the Association of Exceptional Parents and Friends (APAE) in the city of Bandeirantes/PR. During the sessions, several benefits of zootherapy were observed, proven by previous studies, including improvements in well-being, socialization and communication. The work also aims to mention the main species used as therapy animals, discussing their advantages, disadvantages, recommendations and the adaptation of these animals to the activities tried out during the project.