Animal Assisted Therapy is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal that meets specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process. Animal Assisted Therapy is designed to promote improvement in human physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning. AAT is directed and/or delivered by a health/human service professional with specialized expertise, and within the scope of practice of his/her profession. There are two typical scenarios regarding the relationship dynamics within AAT in Counselling. Sometimes it involves the Animal Assistant – Client – Clinician – and the animal’s Handler. Often this is simplified by Clinicians also taking the role as “Handler”. Unfortunately, a common misperception of this is that the professional is simply bringing their pet to work (although there are some who do). AAT is provided in a variety of settings and may be group or individual in nature. This process is documented and evaluated (From Standards of Practice for Animal-Assisted Activities and Therapy).
There are a number of ways in which clinicians find that animals can be therapeutically beneficial:
1) The presence of an animal in the therapy session can help establish rapport between the client and the therapist. Client- animal relationships have shown an increase in openness and engagement and decrease in resistance, defensiveness and depressive symptoms.
2) Enhancing empathy
3) Reduction of a client’s anxiety and enhancing the ability to self-soothe.
4) Teaching appropriate communication skills as well as mindful awareness of non-verbal cues.
5) Animals can provide a catalyst for the expression of emotions, such as the expression of joy through laughter while playing with an animal or watching it behave in its natural environment, building confidence.
6) The safety of physical touch with an animal can allow clients to experience safe touch and to seek physical comfort and reassurance (Fine, 2000)
7) As an adjunct to the clinician, animals can act as a catalyst for discussion and disclosure.
8) Clinicians can utilize animals as role models for their clients (eg: relationships and boundaries) (Fine, 2000). “Relationships with companion animals may provide a safe way to learn to trust another living being, Thereby providing a bridge toward human contact.” (Brown & Katcher).
There are a number of ways in which clinicians find that animals can be therapeutically beneficial:
1) The presence of an animal in the therapy session can help establish rapport between the client and the therapist. Client- animal relationships have shown an increase in openness and engagement and decrease in resistance, defensiveness and depressive symptoms.
2) Enhancing empathy
3) Reduction of a client’s anxiety and enhancing the ability to self-soothe.
4) Teaching appropriate communication skills as well as mindful awareness of non-verbal cues.
5) Animals can provide a catalyst for the expression of emotions, such as the expression of joy through laughter while playing with an animal or watching it behave in its natural environment, building confidence.
6) The safety of physical touch with an animal can allow clients to experience safe touch and to seek physical comfort and reassurance (Fine, 2000)
7) As an adjunct to the clinician, animals can act as a catalyst for discussion and disclosure.
8) Clinicians can utilize animals as role models for their clients (eg: relationships and boundaries) (Fine, 2000). “Relationships with companion animals may provide a safe way to learn to trust another living being, Thereby providing a bridge toward human contact.” (Brown & Katcher).