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.

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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