Application of Animal-Assisted Interventions in Counseling Settings: An Overview of Alternatives

Abstract

This chapter discusses the multitude of therapeutic options on how animals can be incorporated effectively. It provides an overview of the applications of animal-assisted interventions (AAI) in various disciplines and highlights numerous ways in which AAI can be integrated and applied. It builds on this information and provides useful techniques and strategies for AAI with children and adults. AAI is now becoming more recognized as a potential alternative in numerous health care disciplines. Professionals in various mental health disciplines, speech and language therapists, psychotherapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and nurses are but a few of the disciplines incorporating animals as part of their therapeutic regime. Disciplines such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, nursing, mental health, and education are some of the disciplines where animals are now being used as an aspect of treatment. As AAI continues gaining professional acceptance, more extensive research is needed to document its efficacy. © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.