The Role of Animals and Animal-Assisted Therapy in Stressful Life Transitions

Abstract

The role of animals and animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in stressful life transitions is offered in this chapter. As one considers the intervention options for successfully transitioning a significant stressful life event that is marked by anxiety, depression, loss, or limited physical functioning, and that requires social contact and contact comfort, animals as well as AAT is a viable and helpful option. Animals and pets have often played a significant role in the lives of humans. In this chapter the author describes AAT and how it impacts people and animals, provides three case examples of how it has affected individuals during the stressful life transitions they have experienced, and explores theoretical perspectives applicable to this form of therapy. AAT has touched the lives of many people experiencing stressful life transitions in health and illness. It is a growing form of therapy that benefits both the humans and the animals involved. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)