ZOONOTIC DISEASE CONCERNS IN ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY AND ANIMAL VISITATION PROGRAMS

A survey was done of 150 systematically selected United States animal care agencies and 74 Canadian humane societies to determine the preval ence of animal assisted therapy (AAT) programs; concerns about, and ex perience with, zoonotic diseases; and precautions taken to prevent zoo notic disease transmission. Of the 69 US agencies and 49 Canadian soci eties that reported having AAT programs, 94% used dogs and/or cats in their programs, 28% used rabbits, 15% used ''pocket pets'' (hamsters, gerbils, mice, guinea pigs), and 10% used birds (excluding poultry). A bout two-thirds of the programs were involved with the elderly in nurs ing homes, about a quarter of them worked with schools, and a quarter worked with hospitals. Half of the respondents had concerns about zoon otic disease control. Rabies, ringworm, and external parasitism were t he most commonly cited zoonotic diseases of concern. Few concerns were based on actual experience. Fewer than half of the programs consulted a health professional about prevention of zoonotic diseases. Only 10% of the respondents reported having printed guidelines about the preve ntion of zoonotic disease transmission. Practising veterinarians are e ncouraged to make their expertise available to local AAT programs.