CHAPTER 6 - The Animal–Human Bond: Health and Wellness

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses various animal-assisted therapy (AAT) programs and approaches that are being used in a number of settings with different client populations. Illustrations include schools, nursing homes, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and prisons. Reasons for the variation of AAT are also presented. There are numerous reasons for the variation in AAT, including the species, breed, and training level of the animals involved in AAT programs; the level of training, and characteristics of the human partner and professional; the nature and purpose of the setting and client population; and knowledge level of AAT by individual programs or facilities. There are numerous specialized settings with a variety of populations that can benefit from AAT. These include the elderly in long-term care facilities, homebound elderly, patients with terminal illnesses, patients in hospitals, children in various settings, and inmates in prisons and correctional facilities. The interdisciplinary nature of AAT in many respects enriches its content, but also contributes to different ways of conducting or implementing this therapeutic intervention. Professionals, trained staff, and volunteers all engage in various levels of AAT based primarily on their understanding of and personal commitment to the human-animal bond. Some efforts have been made to establish guidelines for AAT; however, this falls short of addressing the wide variation that exists at present.