*4.1.2. Therapy with dolphin*

AAT in individuals with both physical and cognitive impairment is a useful method for facilitating human interaction, stress reduction, relieving depression, and increasing motor and cognitive functions in therapeutic purposes. The dolphin is one of the most important animal species that provide them. There are two main reasons for choosing the dolphin in therapy session when compared to other species: the first is the dolphin's intelligence and learning style and the second is water as stress reduction [45]. On the other hand, there are also some difficulties or disadvantages to working with dolphins. Researchers suggest that the dolphin has some risks due to the fact that it is not a domestic animal, the results of evidence-based studies are very low, and treatment conditions come with very high costs [48].

Interest in AAT is increasing day by day in the literature. While it is generally believed that cats are widely used in AAT, we found no qualified studies that used a cat [37]. So, there is a need for OTs to investigate the disadvantages of utilizing a cat in the therapeutic approaches

Animal-Assisted Therapy in Occupational Therapy http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.76468 99

Pets that are described as small pocket animals, feathers and furs of varying lengths, color, and characteristics that vary in appearance are categorized in this section. Small animals consist of fish, birds, hamsters, turtles, and rabbits, which can be found easily in the classrooms, offices, or schools rather than other large animals. OTs can benefit from the use of these ani-

These animals often carry on with their lives as an ordinary part of the circle. But at this time, it is especially used in therapeutic approaches for both children and psychiatric patients in terms of learning to take responsibility for animals [43, 55]. These animals have a disadvantage in terms of the limited span of life (2–5 years) which can hamper rehabilitation process [56]. Although these animals are preferred in performing small tasks in AAA, the number of

Among animal-assisted approaches, horses are the most commonly used animals in therapeutic approaches toward patients [6]. When examining thousands of years of history, no matter how much the environmental conditions change, there has always been an intense relationship between societies and horses [57]. In the literature review on the therapeutic use of horses, the concept of AAT is under two headings: therapeutic riding and hippo-therapy. These concepts are named differently as both methods are different but basically with the

Although there is a belief that horses were tamed and ridden and used in the treatment of the human beings in B.C., there is no definite evidence on this subject [59]. Looking at history and the use of horses as therapeutic agents, horse riding was considered as a physically during exercise in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. This aspect was also observed during the 29 rehabilitation of war veterans after the World War II [58]. The use of horses for disabled people has been intensified since the middle of the twentieth century. The best example regarding this was the treatment process, which resulted in Lis Hartel, professional horse-rider, participating in the Olympics and winning a medal while losing lower extremity functions due to polio. After this excellent success, equestrian federations have been established in many developed countries, mainly in England, and AATs are being covered under

Hippo-therapy, one of the commonly used methods of therapeutic intervention, is derived from the ancient Greek word "Hyppos." With this method, horses can be used to develop or rehabilitate the individual's physical, sensory, cognitive, and social functions through the use of horseback movements. Since 2010, American Hippo-therapy Association has created a conceptual framework that includes sensory integration, including dynamic systems theory and

mals in the development of activities in areas requiring community participation.

on patients with having a disability in daily life skills.

*4.1.5. Therapy with small animals*

studies in the literature is inadequate.

*4.1.6. Therapy with horse*

same goal [58].

universal health insurance [60].

Dolphin-assisted therapy is commonly used in people with head injuries, schizophrenia, cancer, or other chronic diseases for improving both gross and fine motor skills, developing sensory integration, and increasing communication skills. Nathanson et al. indicated that measurable improvement was observed in the functioning in children with autism spectrum disabilities when dolphin therapy was conducted 5 days per week for at least two weeks [49]. It is suggested that the dolphin should be used as a supportive therapy in the healing and motivational aspects as well as the positive aspects in human beings.
