Is Counseling Going to the Dogs? An Exploratory Study Related to the Inclusion of an Animal in Group Counseling with Adolescents

Abstract

Research has demonstrated that the use of animals in counseling provides beneficial effects to clients. This article presents literature on Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT), and details an exploratory study that applied AAT in an adolescent anger management group. Consistent with other research, beneficial effects noted in this study included a calming effect on the adolescents, humor relief during sessions, increased feelings of safety in the group, experiencing empathy, and motivation to attend sessions. Implications of the research and practical applications are provided, including considerations for using AAT in the counseling process.