Center for Personal Wellness: Psychotherapy & Consultation

  • Home
  • About
    • Meet Our Team
    • Testimonials
    • FAQ's on Therapy
    • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Services
    • TeleMental Health
    • Individual Counseling
    • Marriage/Couples Counseling
    • Child/Adolescent Counseling
    • Family Counseling
    • ADHD Coaching
    • Life Coaching/Consultation
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Health + Wellness Coaching
    • Groups >
      • Virtual Support Group
      • ADHD Parent Support Group
      • LEGO Group for Kids
      • Postpartum Depression/Anxiety
      • Women of Faith
    • Business Trainings
    • Speaking Engagements
  • Workshops
    • Dealing With Everyday Stress: A Guide to Daily Stress Reduction
    • Taking Care of Ourselves: Stress Reduction Workshop for Moms
    • How to Sleep When Your Mind Won't Shut Off
    • Creating a Behavioral Reward System That Works
    • Coping with Grief Over the Holidays
    • Live Mindfully: Healthy Mind = Healthy Body
    • Undress Your Stress: Fun Ways to De-Stress Workshop!
  • Rates
  • Events
    • Screening Day
  • Freebies
    • Blog
    • Downloadable Tools
    • Newsletter
    • Screening Tools
  • Home
  • About
    • Meet Our Team
    • Testimonials
    • FAQ's on Therapy
    • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Services
    • TeleMental Health
    • Individual Counseling
    • Marriage/Couples Counseling
    • Child/Adolescent Counseling
    • Family Counseling
    • ADHD Coaching
    • Life Coaching/Consultation
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Health + Wellness Coaching
    • Groups >
      • Virtual Support Group
      • ADHD Parent Support Group
      • LEGO Group for Kids
      • Postpartum Depression/Anxiety
      • Women of Faith
    • Business Trainings
    • Speaking Engagements
  • Workshops
    • Dealing With Everyday Stress: A Guide to Daily Stress Reduction
    • Taking Care of Ourselves: Stress Reduction Workshop for Moms
    • How to Sleep When Your Mind Won't Shut Off
    • Creating a Behavioral Reward System That Works
    • Coping with Grief Over the Holidays
    • Live Mindfully: Healthy Mind = Healthy Body
    • Undress Your Stress: Fun Ways to De-Stress Workshop!
  • Rates
  • Events
    • Screening Day
  • Freebies
    • Blog
    • Downloadable Tools
    • Newsletter
    • Screening Tools
Picture

What is Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT)?

Animal assisted therapy (AAT) uses trained animals to enhance an individual's physical, emotional and social well-being, thus improving self-esteem, reducing anxiety and facilitating healing. The use of AAT is a research-based intervention that can provide psychological support and physical healing.

Much more than simply spending time with an animal, animal-assisted therapy involves specific therapeutic goals, strategies and outcomes measures. Therapeutic experiences can include walking, brushing, petting and caring for an animal, as well as processing the experience of trying to achieve a given task.

What are the benefits of AAT?

There is a strong bond between animals and people. Animals are accepting, non-threatening and non-judgmental, making it easier for people to open up. Some of the benefits of animal-assisted therapy include:
  • Improved fine motor skills
  • Improved balance
  • Increased focus and attention
  • Increased self-esteem and ability to care for oneself
  • Reduced anxiety, grief and isolation
  • Reduced blood pressure, depression, and risk of heart attack or stroke
  • Improved willingness to be involved in a therapeutic program or group activity
  • Increased trust, empathy and teamwork
  • Greater self-control
  • Enhanced problem-solving skills
  • Reduced need for medication
  • Improved social skills

Because many children, teens and adults enjoy working with animals, animal-assisted therapy can be particularly beneficial for individuals who are resistant to treatment or have difficulty accessing their emotions or expressing themselves in talk therapy.

What conditions does AAT treat?

People with a variety of conditions can benefit from animal-assisted therapy, including:
  • Autism spectrum disorders
  • Addiction
  • Cancer
  • Heart disease
  • Dementia
  • Developmental disorders
  • Psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia
  • Emotional and behavioral disorders
  • Chronic pain
© 2020 All rights reserved | Center for Personal Wellness
96 W. 4th St.  |  Minster, OH 45865
(419) 628-6156  |  info@cpwminster.com