Beta Fish Therapy

Activity:  Beta Fish Therapy

Target Participant Group: Individuals in the hospital

Therapeutic potential of this activity:

• Decrease symptoms of depression
• Provide opportunity to reminisce
• Decrease blood pressure

What other groups may benefit from this activity? 

• Individuals in nursing homes
• Individuals with mental illness

What groups may not be as appropriate for this activity?

• Individuals with severe animal phobias

Activity description:

   In this activity, single Beta fish are brought to patients’ rooms as a form of animal therapy.  Depending on the level of patient interest and ability, the therapy can be as simple as just having the patient enjoy looking at the fish, or may be more involved in that the fish can be trained to eat out of people’s hands! Beta fish are also attracted to colors and therefore may be “played” with if the patient is given different colored objects.     

Resources needed:

• Medium sized glass bowl
• Beta fish
• Aquarium plant
• Aquarium rock
• Water treatment products (stresscoat water conditioner, aquarium salt, and aquarisol drops)
• Tank transportation (e.g. cart)
• Colorful objects

Best leadership style for this activity?

   Leaders should have good social interaction skills and the ability to engage patients in therapeutic conversation, but also be able to step back and let the interaction between the patient and the animal be therapeutic in and of itself.

Where did I find this activity?

   Activity information was found at http://www.recreationtherapy.com/tx/animalassisted.htm and provided by Methodist Healthcare’s Rebecca Neeley.  Photo found at http://www.bettafishguru.com/images/bettafish.jpg.

Where can others find more information on this activity?

   For more information on animal assisted therapy visit http://www.animaltherapy.net/Premise%20%26%20Promise.html.