慢性思覺失調症患者參與動物輔助治療的療癒歷程

The healing process of chronic schizophrenic patients in Animal-Assisted Therapy

The research was to explore the healing process of chronic schizophrenic patients who participated in a structural animal-assisted therapeutic program (AAT). 24 times of supportive group activity design, by “interacting” therapy dogs, were applied into 20 chronic schizophrenic patients, once per week, 90 minutes each time, during 21.Mar 2011 and 9. Sep 2011. By using participating observation method, the researcher collected and analyzed the contents of patients' activity feedbacks, group process recordings, pictures, videos, and field notes. Four steps of the AAT healing process were found: (1) starting connecting relationship; (2) making friends with therapy dogs; (3) making friends with other patients; (4)initiating self-efficacy. The potential factors for forming this healing including “the attraction of therapy dogs”, “touching experiences”, and “supportive group skills.”