There’s a surprising scene that plays out at the Saint Margaret Residential Centre twice a week: a rabbit named Simone interacts with a resident while wearing a tiny backpack filled with words. The resident chooses a few words and uses them to recount a memory. This creative intervention and others by zootherapist Audrey Desrosiers and her animal partners allow residents to better retain their cognitive skills.
Audrey Desrosiers’ studies in creative arts led to her training with the Institut de Zoothérapie Internationale du Quebec. Starting in 2007, Audrey blended her background in the arts with her animal assisted therapy to develop zootherapy programs grounded in research-based techniques based in psychology. Launched in 2010, her zootherapy clinic named “Au bout du museau” offered programs developed and specifically targeted to audiences ranging from youth to the neurodivergent to the elderly. The work that happens in zootherapy stems from a dynamic relationship established between three key players: the animal (the partner), the trained facilitator and the client (the resident).
Zootherapy has tremendous benefits for elderly people. Since 2015, Audrey and her team have been facilitating exchanges with the residents of the Saint Margaret Residential Centre a CHSLD in the CIUSS Ouest network that has a deep and longstanding connection to the Drummond family and Foundation dating back to the 1890s. Thanks to support from the Drummond Foundation, Audrey and her team have introduced the residents to several animal partners, including rabbits Vladimir and Simone; Lou the turtle dove; and Welcome the dog who adore the residents.
Residents at the Saint Margaret Residential Centre interacting with animal partners during zootherapy sessions (images used with permission).
Audrey recognizes that people continue to have interests and passions in life regardless of age or condition. She draws on the talents and knowledge of each of the residents to create dynamic exchanges with her animal partners. For musicians and music-lovers, Audrey encourages residents singing to the animals, an exercise that fosters connections that bypass language barriers.
People living with dementia can lose access to their second language and return to using their first language to communicate. At the Saint Margaret Residential Centre, residents have a variety of first languages other than English and French. In zootherapy sessions, Audrey notes how the residents can communicate with the animals despite language barriers. The residents are always happy to see the animal partners – particularly Lou the turtledove, a rarity in the world of pets. These non-verbal interactions forge an emotional connection that goes beyond words.
In addition to working on memory and cognition, connecting with animal partners helps reduce isolation – more important than ever in a pandemic context. The activities help residents access their emotional memories, a pathway that “defies dementia.” Audrey herself is incredibly thoughtful when facilitating these interactions: she wears specific clothing that signals comfort and familiarity such as natural fibers and vintage earrings to create an additional level of connection with the residents.
President of The Drummond Foundation, Bruce Drummond McNiven and Grants Coordinator Megan Batty with puppies at Desrosiers’ book launch.
Recently, Audrey authored Au Bout du Museau ; La révolution zoothérapeutique (The Zootherapy Revolution), her first book detailing her educational journey, the rise of animal assisted therapy and research and the evolution of program components in the field. Members of the Drummond Foundation were present at the book launch on May 11, 2022 at the Librairie de Verdun to celebrate the 13 years of Au bout du museau, and the positive impact this zootherapy program has had on the lives of many residents at the Saint Margaret Residential Centre. President Bruce Drummond McNiven, Board Member Marie Senécal-Tremblay, and Grants Coordinator Megan Batty met several of the facilitators working with the Au bout du museau program and even had the chance to meet some puppies too! It is with hope and optimism that Audrey speaks about the evolving future of zootherapy as an important quality-of-life element to be built into the caregiving needs of our aging population particularly for those living with dementia. The Drummond Foundation is proud of its 8 years of financial support and partnership with Audrey Desrosiers of Au bout du Museau that has allowed this program to benefit the lives of the residents of Saint Margaret Residential Centre.
Au bout du museau – la révolution zoothérapeutique is available online at : https://www.auboutdumuseau.com/boutique/au-bout-du-museau-la-rvolution-zoothrapeutique-le-livre
More about Audrey Desrosiers : https://www.linkedin.com/in/audrey-desrosiers-89253b28/?originalSubdomain=ca