Animal Assisted Therapy

For many children animals are a very important part of their lives. Recently a body of research (Jalongo, Chandler and Van Fleet) has demonstrated that the presence of animals in the lives of children with behavioral, developmental, emotional and psychological problems can greatly enhance their lives by increasing self esteem, decreasing negative behaviors, promoting greater empathy, improving peer relationships, and increasing their range of acceptable. The Delta Society (2004) which promotes the use of animals in therapeutic settings and sets the standards for training of AAT therapists provides us with the following definition of Animal Assisted Therapy: Animal Assisted Therapy is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal meeting specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process. AAT is delivered and/or directed by a health care professional (in this case a psychologist). AAT is designed to promote improvement in human physical, social, emotional and/or cognitive functioning. At The Family Center, in addition to the child and the psychologist, the animal’s trainer is present at all times. AAT has many different applications. It is an especially useful adjunct to play therapy for children with autism, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, depression, ADD and ADHD, grief and loss issues, behavioral problems, impulse control disorders, and low self esteem.

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