Judgment Animal-based psychotherapy is not qualitatively better

Dusseldorf Social Court rejects approval for branch practice
Dusseldorf (jur). The use of donkeys, rabbits or even cats as part of an animal-assisted psychotherapy does not mean a qualitative improvement in the care situation for young patients. This was decided by the Dusseldorf Social Court in a ruling announced on Monday, May 15, 2017 (Ref .: S 2 KA 328/15). It refused to allow a child and adolescent psychotherapist to be approved for a branch practice.

The therapist had a contract psychotherapist's office in Viersen. However, she also wanted to open a branch office about ten kilometers away. There, "animal-assisted interventions" should be carried out. In order to better reach mentally ill children and adolescents with psychotherapy, animals such as donkeys, rabbits and cats should be integrated into the therapy.

(Image: Carola Schubbel / fotolia.com)

However, the Kassenärztliche Vereinigung refused to approve the branch practice. There is no further need for care in the Viersen area for a new practice.

The psychotherapist said that it should not come to that. This is because animal-assisted intervention improves the quality of care provided to insured persons.

But the social court saw this differently. Although the handling of animals could actually facilitate access to children and adolescents. But there are also other comparable therapies that work with symbolic and playful therapy elements that appeal to the senses of the children. Because of the animals, therefore, there is no better quality of care, especially as every patient and every therapy situation is very individual.

It can not be assumed that a certain playful or symbolic opening of access as part of the investigation and treatment is qualitatively better than another, the Social Court in its now final judgment of 18 January 2017. fle / mwo