Animal-Assisted Therapy: A Comprehensive Guide for Mental Health Practitioners

What is Animal-Assisted Therapy?

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is an evidence-based intervention that incorporates specially trained and evaluated animals into therapeutic processes to enhance client outcomes. It involves the intentional use of animals as therapeutic agents to promote physical, emotional, and social well-being.

Types of Animal-Assisted Therapy

There are various types of AAT, including:

• Animal-Assisted Therapy in Counseling (AATC): Incorporates animals into counseling sessions to support clients' therapeutic goals.
• Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy (AAP): Uses animals as active participants in psychotherapy sessions, facilitating emotional expression and coping mechanisms.

Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy

AAT offers numerous benefits, including:

• Psychological benefits: Reduces stress, anxiety, and depression; improves mood and self-esteem.
• Physiological benefits: Lowers blood pressure and heart rate; releases endorphins and oxytocin, promoting relaxation.
• Social benefits: Promotes socialization, communication, and empathy; reduces feelings of loneliness and isolation.