Robotic seal put to the test by therapy classes at SRU
SLIPPERY ROCK — Man's best friend got an upgrade in the animal-assisted intervention and therapy classes at Slippery Rock University.
Instead of the students working with a therapy dog, they were introduced to a therapeutic robot made to resemble a baby seal. The robot is to interact with patients as an alternative to animal therapy.
“I loved it; it was great!” said Cara Buccini, a senior business major from Grove City who is minoring in animal-assisted interventions.
“I didn't know if they were bringing in a puppy or what, but seeing something new like this is really cool. I didn't even know that they had these,” she said.
The therapeutic robot was developed by PARO Robots. and has been used in Japan and Europe since 2003, but is relatively new to rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and elder care facilities in the United States.
Yvonne Eaton-Stull, assistant professor of social work who will use the robot in her Animal-Assisted Intervention class, said her social work department and Deborah Hutchins' recreational therapy department got a grant to split the $6,000 cost of the robot.
Eaton-Stull said, “We had both seen it at a couple of conferences.”
“We see its application with dementia patients as a good alternative, because there could be some concerns with patients having uncertain, impulsive reactions to live animals,” said Hutchins, associate professor of parks, conservation and recreational therapy. Hutchins teaches the class, Animal-Assisted Therapy for Diverse Settings and Populations.
In addition, said Eaton-Stull, “it's good for patients who may be allergic to regular animals.
“PARO has a hypoallergenic coat which can be taken off and refurbished by the distributor,” she said.
“It senses touch and responds to sensory input and voices. People get the same response from a dog ...” said Hutchins.
“But without the wet kisses,” chimed in Eaton-Stull. “This is an alternative, especially for people with allergies. Both classes are teaching it for use as therapy for people dealing with anxiety and other diagnoses.”
Hutchins said, “It can open and close its eyes. It has some big eyelashes.
“It was designed to have an attractive face,” she said. “Studies show people are attracted by round faces and big eyes. It's got a big head and big eyelashes and whiskers that have sensors.”
The robot seal has antibiotic fur over a hard inner skeleton that is operated by processors. A software program initiates the behavior and voice recognition systems, some of which are triggered by touch from lifelike whiskers.
Even the battery charger, inserted into the seal's mouth through a pacifier, is made to limit the appearance of a mechanical device.
Eaton-Stull's class analyzes the effects of the human-animal bond as it relates to patient interventions, while Hutchins' class designs and demonstrates programs and treatment plans.
“We want our students to be familiar using (the therapeutic robot) so if they encounter it being used in the field they already have experience,” Hutchins said.
The mechanical therapy seal has its doubters in both classes. Eaton-Hull said the majority of her students like the robot, but some don't.
Hutchins said, “I've gotten a mixed reaction. Most of them like it, but some are just tied to the notion of using real animals.
As proponents of live animal interventions, Hutchins and Eaton-Stull have even entertained the idea of conducting a study with patients to compare the effects of live animals versus those of the robots. However, they consider the PARO robot only as an alternative for patients with allergies or fear of live animals.
Hutchins and Eaton-Stull, have asked students in their classes to submit potential names and even decide the gender for the robotic seal.
“It will get an official name by giving it a Slippery Rock flavor name,” said Eaton-Stull.
“It's telling that as we've been talking about it, people have been automatically calling it he or she,” said Hutchins, adding students and instructors will have to agree on a sex for the simulated seal.
