Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy

6th Edition - September 1, 2024
Editors: Aubrey H Fine, Aubrey H Fine, Megan Mueller, Zenithson Ng, Taylor Chastain Griffin, Philip Tedeschi
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 2 2 3 4 6 - 4
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 2 2 3 4 7 - 1

Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy, Sixth Edition continues to be the leading textbook and reference in this field for clinical practitioners. The book provides the evidence… Read more

Purchase options

World Book Day Celebration!

Save up to 30% on books and eBooks!

Shop now

Institutional subscription on ScienceDirect

Request a sales quote

Resources

Textbook support for instructors(opens in new tab/window)

Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy, Sixth Edition continues to be the leading textbook and reference in this field for clinical practitioners. The book provides the evidence basis for the effectiveness of this treatment, as well as guidelines for how to perform it from the selection of treatment animal to application with patients. This new edition is fully updated and contains 15 new chapters on culture, research, standards, of practice, and more. Organized into four sections, the book explores the conceptualization of the animal-human bond, best practices for AAI professionals, considerations related to animal selection/ training/ welfare, and utilizing AAI in special populations.

The book may serve as a study guide for the Animal Assisted Intervention Specialist Certification Exam.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
Dedications
Contributors
About the Editors
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Section I. The Conceptualization of the Animal–Human Bond: The Foundation for Understanding Animal-Assisted Interventions
Chapter 1. Understanding Our Kinship with Animals: Input for Health Care Professionals Interested in the Human–Animal Bond
1.1. Introduction
1.2. Introduction to the Human–Animal Bond
1.3. Defining the Human–Animal Bond
1.4. Pets and People: Case Studies Reveal the Importance
1.5. Theories Explaining the Bond
1.6. Social Capital, Ambassadors of Nature, and the Bond
1.7. The Biological and Psycho-Social Benefits of the Bond
1.8. The “Dark Side” of the Bond
1.9. Final Remarks
Chapter 2. Animal-Assisted Interventions in Historical Perspective
2.1. Introduction
2.2. Animal Souls and Spiritual Healing
2.3. Animal Powers and Shamanism
2.4. Animism in Classical and Medieval Times
2.5. Animals as Agents of Socialization
2.6. Animals and Psychotherapy
2.7. Animals, Relaxation, and Social Support
2.8. Conclusions
Chapter 3. Forward Thinking: The Evolving Fields of Human–Animal Interactions and Animal-Assisted Interventions
3.1. To See Where We are Headed, We Must See Where We have Been
3.2. Developing Common Terminology
3.3. Redefining our Relationship with Animals and the Living World
3.4. Research Directions
3.5. Public Policy and Bridging Research with Practice
3.6. Professionalizing the Field
3.7. Into the Future
Chapter 4. Understanding the Influence of Culture, Race, Ethnicity, and Identity for Animal-Assisted Interventions and Associated Benefits for Marginalized Groups
4.1. Introduction
4.2. Section A: Considerations for LGBTQ-Inclusive Animal-Assisted Interventions
4.3. Section B: The Value of Animal-Assisted Therapy for Black Youth: The Chronic Stress-Induced Traumas of Social and Structural Racism and the Importance of Considering Accessibility of AAT Programs
4.4. Section C: Moving Toward Culturally Safe Animal-assisted Interventions
Chapter 5. The Animal–Human Bond: Health and Wellness
5.1. The Conceptualization of the Animal–Human Bond: The Foundation for Understanding Animal-Assisted Therapy
5.2. Health Benefits from A
5.3. Epidemiological Evidence for Health Benefits
5.4. Experimental or QuasiExperimental Research
5.5. Discussion
5.6. Conclusion
Chapter 6. Examining the Trajectory of Human–Animal Interaction Research: Past, Present, and Future
6.1. Chapter Overview
6.2. Providing Perspective
6.3. Early Research
6.4. Coming of Age
6.5. Current State of the Evidence
6.6. Recommendations for Future Research
6.7. Improving Animal Welfare in the Research Process
6.8. Conclusion
Section II. Best Practices for AAI Professionals
Chapter 7. Standards of Practice in Animal-Assisted Interventions
7.1. Introduction
7.2. Professional Competencies in Animal-Assisted Interventions
7.3. Standardized Knowledge Statements for AAI Professionals
7.4. Obtaining the Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist Certification
7.5. Best Practices and Competencies Specific to Working with Equines
7.6. Conclusion
Chapter 8. Incorporating Animals into Psychotherapy: Guidelines and Suggestions for Therapists
8.1. Introduction
8.2. Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy in the Past and Today
8.3. Current Evidence and Research Gaps
8.4. The Role of Animals in Psychotherapy: Is There Such a Thing as an Animal-Assisted Therapy Prescription?
8.5. Theories and Mechanisms
8.6. Incorporating Theory into Practice: Clinical Examples of Applying Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy within the Lifespan
8.7. Practical Suggestions for Clinicians Applying Animals in Psychotherapy
8.8. Future Directions
8.9. Conclusions
Chapter 9. The Life Trajectory of Animal-Assisted Therapy Teams in Professional Mental Health Practice: Overview of Developmental and Practice Considerations
9.1. Introduction
9.2. Ethics and Animal Welfare in AAI: Gaps and Concerns
9.3. Professional Applications of Animal-Assisted Intervention: Gaps in the Literature
9.4. Professional Practice Foundations
9.5. A Developmental Trajectory of the Therapist–Animal Relationship in AAI
9.6. Getting Started: Selection and Socialization of Therapy Animals
9.7. The Therapeutic Team's Active Years
9.8. Retirement and Death of an Animal Partner
9.9. Training, Supervision, Credentialing, and Research
9.10. Conclusion
Chapter 10. Program Development for Animal-Assisted Occupational, Speech, and Physical Therapy
10.1. General Codes of Conduct and Competencies
10.2. Animal Welfare
10.3. Risk Assessment and Management
10.4. Competency
10.5. Creating the Human–Animal Team
10.6. Screening Clients for AAT Participation
10.7. Session Planning
10.8. Case Study: Animal-Assisted Occupational Therapy with an Adult with Developmental Disabilities
10.9. Case Study: Animal-Assisted Speech Therapy with a Preschool-Aged Client
10.10. Case Study: Animal-Assisted Physical Therapy with Older Adult
10.11. Occupational Therapist Perspective
10.12. Speech Therapist Perspective
10.13. Physical Therapist Perspective
10.14. Measuring and Evaluating Outcomes
Chapter 11. What’s Love Got to Do With It? Selecting Animals for Animal-Assisted Mental Health Interventions
11.1. Step 1: Clarifying the Purpose of Animals in Practice
11.2. Step 2: Determining the Category—and Approach—of Animal Interventions
11.3. Delivery Approach
11.4. Step 3: Developing Animal Staff Job Descriptions
11.5. Step 4: MacNamara Animal Capability Assessment Model
11.6. Potential for Animal Stress
11.7. Conclusion
Chapter 12. Getting the Right Dog for the Right Job for Animal-Assisted Activities, Interventions, and Therapies: Essential Understanding of Dog Behavior and Ethology for Those Working with Dogs to Help Others
12.1. Introduction
12.2. Part 1: The Value of Dogs within AAI
12.3 Part 2: Risk Management
12.4. Part 3: Welfare and Our Ethical Obligations
12.5. Concluding Comments
Chapter 13. The Role of the Equine in Human–Animal Interactions
13.1. History of the Equine Interactions
13.2. Role of the Equine in Human–Animal Interactions
13.3. Equine Welfare
13.4. Definition, Evolution, and Role of the Equine in Hippotherapy
13.5. Theoretical Base
13.6. Physical Context
13.7. The Hippotherapy Team
13.8. Hippotherapy Credentials
13.9. Mental Health Programs
13.10. Role of the Mental Health Professional
13.11. Theoretical Underpinnings
13.12. The Therapeutic Riding Lesson Team
13.13. Members of the Therapeutic Carriage Driving Team
13.14. Therapeutic Carriage Driving Certification
13.15. Therapeutic Vaulting
13.16. Credentials for Therapeutic Vaulting
13.17. Conclusion
Section III. Considerations Related to Animal Selection, Training, and Welfare
Chapter 14. Preparing a Canine for Therapy Dog Work Through Training and Relationship-Building
14.1. The Importance of a Foundational Temperament
14.2. Selecting a Good Candidate for AAI
14.3. The Use of Appropriate Training Methodologies
14.4. Training a Puppy in the Hopes of Future AAI Participation
14.5. Socializing Therapy Dog Candidates
14.6. Relationship-Building Activities
14.7. Working Through Core Cues
14.8. Designing Interventions Based on Trained Behaviors
14.9. Fostering Open Communication between Handler and Therapy Dog
14.10. Training as a Lifelong Process
14.11. Conclusion
Chapter 15. Trends in Animal Welfare Research in Animal-Assisted Interventions
15.1. Introduction/Background
15.2. Welfare Assessment
15.3. Animal Welfare in AAIs
15.4. Limitations of Research
15.5. Conclusions and Recommendations for Practice
Chapter 16. Our Ethical and Moral Responsibility: Ensuring the Welfare of Therapy Animals
16.1. Introduction
16.2. Benefits to Animals in AAI
16.3. Animal Welfare Research in AAI
16.4. Managing the Factors of Stress to the Therapy Animal
16.5. Animal-Assisted Intervention Monitoring
16.6. Retirement
16.7. Managing Adverse Events
16.8. Conclusions
Chapter 17. Specific Welfare Considerations for Animals Involved in Animal-Assisted Interventions
Introduction
Part 1: Specific Welfare Considerations for Animals Involved in AAI: Felines
Part 2: Specific Welfare Considerations for Animals Involved in AAI: Equines
Part 3: Specific Welfare Considerations for Animals Involved in AAI: Reptiles and Fish
Part 4: Specific Welfare Considerations for Animals Involved in AAI: Small Mammals and Birds
Chapter 18. Animal-Associated Infections (Zoonoses) With Animal-Assisted Therapy: Identifying and Mitigating Risks
18.1. What Are Zoonoses and How Do They Impact AAT?
18.2. Opportunities for Zoonotic Disease Transmission during AAT
18.3. Routes of Transmission from Animals to People
18.4. People at Risk of Zoonoses
18.5. Animal Factors Associated with Zoonoses during AAT
18.6. Setting Factors Associated with Zoonoses during AAT
18.7. Preventing Zoonotic Disease Transmission during AAT
18.8. Considerations for AAT during Public Health Crises and Outbreaks
18.9. Conclusion
Section IV. AAI in Special Populations
Chapter 19. Animals in the Lives of Children
19.1. Introduction
19.2. Where Are Animals in Children's Lives?
19.3. What Do Animals Mean in Children's Lives
19.4. Clinical Implications for Animal-Assisted Therapy/Animal-Assisted Interventions
19.5. Developmental Domains in Evaluation of Animal-Assisted Interventions
19.6. Best Practices in AAT with Children
Chapter 20. Animals in Educational Settings Research and Practice
20.1. Chapter Overview
20.2. Theoretical Underpinnings and Background of AAE
20.3. Research: What We Know So Far?
20.4. Examples of Ways in Which Animals Are Incorporated Into Classrooms
20.5. Suggested Guidelines for the Inclusion of Animals in Classrooms
20.6. Policy Recommendations for Animals in the Classroom
20.7. Key Element: The Student
20.8. Key Element: The Animal(s)
20.9. Key Element: The Teacher
20.10. The School Facility
20.11. Applied Example—Risk Assessment and Implementation for Research and Practice
20.12. Concluding Remarks
Chapter 21. Children with Executive Function Deficits in Animal-Assisted Intervention and Human–Animal Interaction
21.1. Introduction to the Concept of Executive Function Deficit
21.2. Disorders Marked by Deficits in EF
21.3. AAI for Improving EF: A Rationale of Why AAI May have an Impact on EF
21.4. Targets of Intervention: Social Skills, Self-Regulation, and Stress
21.5. Equine-Assisted Services and their Impact on EF
21.6. AAI and the Impact on Cognitive Skills
21.7. Special Considerations in AAI for Children with ASD
21.8. Factors that Worsen Sensory Problems
21.9. Animal Side of AAI for Children with EF Deficits
21.10. Companion Animals in the Home
21.11. Benefits of Companion Animals in the Home
21.12. Child Safety in the Home
21.13. Service/Assistance Dogs versus Pets
21.14. Case Example
21.15. Practical Applications
21.16. Conclusions
Chapter 22. Companion Animals in Older Adulthood: Engaging and Sustaining the Bond
22.1. An Aging World
22.2. Pet Ownership in Older Adulthood
22.3. Engaging the Bond: AAI for Older Adults
22.4. Sustaining the Bond: Challenges and Promising Solutions
22.5. Conclusion
Chapter 23. Animal-Assisted Interventions in Specialized Settings: Findings, Complexities, and Considerations in Postsecondary, Hospital, and Correctional Contexts
23.1. Animal-Assisted Interventions within the Postsecondary Context
23.2. Animal-Assisted Interventions within Healthcare Settings
23.3. Animal-Assisted Interventions within Correctional Settings
23.4. Conclusion
Chapter 24. Understanding and Optimizing Human–Animal Interactions in the Family Setting
24.1. Prevalence of Companion Animals in Families
24.2. Adaptive Human–Animal Interaction in the Family System
24.3. Barriers to Positive Human–Animal Interaction
24.4. Therapeutic Considerations and Strategies for Clinical Practitioners
24.5. Introducing a Pet to the Family
24.6. Conclusions
Chapter 25. Recovering from Trauma with the Support of Animals: Interventions for Adult Posttraumatic Stress and Child Maltreatment
25.1. Introduction
25.2. Operation Reboot: Finding Purpose and Healing Through Warrior Canine Connection
25.3. Psychodynamic Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy for Effects of Interpersonal Trauma in Childhood
25.4. The Inclusion of Animals in EMDR
25.5. Conclusion
Chapter 26. Navigating the Final Chapter: Caring for Therapy Animals and Their Handlers at the End-Of-Life
26.1. Introduction
26.2. Death and Dying
26.3. Pet Loss, Grief, and Bereavement
26.4. End of Life Veterinary Professionals
26.5. Introduction to the Companion Animal Death Doula
26.6. Advance Directives
26.7. Life Story Review
26.8. Natural Death
26.9. Understanding Pet Euthanasia
26.10. Aftercare Options
26.11. Memorialization Rituals
26.12. Conclusion
Chapter 27. Animal-Assisted Interventions for Military Families: A Synthesis of the Current Evidence
27.1. Introduction
27.2. Military Family Terminology
27.3. Why Military Families?
27.4. Why Animal-Assisted Interventions?
27.5. Animal-Assisted Interventions and Trauma
27.6. Pets and Military Families
27.7. What Might an Animal-Assisted Intervention Look like for Military Families?
27.8. Considerations for Determining Whether AAIs Are a Good Fit for Military Families
27.9. Summary of the Current Literature
27.10. Characteristics and Results of the Current Literature
27.11. Limitations of the Current Literature
27.12. Conclusions
Chapter 28. Global Best Practices in Applying AAIs: Snapshots of Unique Programs
28.1. Introduction
Snapshot One: Pets are Wonderful Support—An Example of Sustainability and Community Partnerships
Snapshot Two: Prisoner and Dog Mutual Rehabilitation Program at Hermon Prison in Israel
Snapshot Three: Dogs on Call—Hospital-Based Programming at Virginia Commonwealth University
Snapshot Four: Building Academic Retention Through K9s (B.A.R.K.): Supporting College Students at the University of British Columbia
Snapshot Five: AAI and Eating Disorders
Snapshot Six: Psychoeducational and Vocational Growth for Youth in Diversion and Juvenile Detention Settings: Teacher's Pet—Dogs and Kids Learning Together Case Study
Snapshot Seven: Integrating Animals Into Neurorehabilitation
Snapshot Eight: Animal Care at the Center of a Human–Animal Interaction Program: Building Character With a Focus on Animal Welfare
Snapshot Nine: Sensory Integration, Primitive Reflexes, and Animal-Assisted Occupational Therapy
Snapshot Ten: “It Just Makes You Feel Good Inside”: How the PAWSitive Support Canine-Assisted Learning Program Helps Prisoners Confront Addiction and Self-Stigma
Snapshot Eleven: Personality Assessment of Domestic Animals
Snapshot Twelve: Therapy Animal Loss: A Somatic Exercise for Healing
Snapshot Thirteen: Choice, Relationship, and Confidence: Incorporating Animal-Assisted Therapy as a Method of Supporting the Self-Determination of Children in Therapy
Snapshot Fourteen: The PATH to Success Program
Chapter 29. Final Thoughts: The Editors’ Reflections on the State of Animal-Assisted Interventions
29.1. The State of Research on Animal-Assisted Interventions
29.2. The Practice of AAI
29.3. Global Perspectives on AAI
29.4. A Review of Best Practices in Animal Welfare in AAI—the Status of AAI Today and the Future
29.5. Professionalization of the Field
29.6. Final Thought
Chapter 30. Passing on the Torch: My Ode to AAI and HAI
30.1. Introduction
30.2. My Ode to AAI
30.3. A Glimpse of My Story
30.4. Passing the Torch
30.5. Suggestions for Our Future: Where Do We Go Now?
30.6. Final Thoughts
Afterword
Index

Aubrey H Fine

Psychologist Dr. Aubrey Fine is an internationally known expert with close to 50 years of experience in the field of Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) and the Human Animal Bond. Dr. Fine is a Professor Emeritus at the California State Polytechnic University for over 42 years, during which time he has researched the value of AAT with children and the elderly. In addition, he has integrated the foundations of AAT into his clinical practice, which primarily focuses on the treatment of children with attention, behavioral, adjustment and developmental disorders.

Affiliations and expertise

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA, USA

Aubrey H Fine

Affiliations and expertise

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA, USA

Megan Mueller

Dr. Megan K. Mueller, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Human-Animal interaction at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University within the Center for Animals and Public Policy. Dr. Mueller is Co-Director of the Tufts Initiative for Human-Animal Interaction and is a senior fellow at the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University. Dr. Mueller is a developmental psychologist, and her research program focuses on assessing the dynamic relationships between people and animals in families and communities. Her work focuses on the psychology of the human-animal bond, and how human-animal interaction can promote thriving for adolescents and their families. Her research has been published in numerous scientific journals and media outlets. Dr. Mueller is a board member of the International Society for Anthrozoology and serves on the Pet Partners Human-Animal Bond Advisory Board.

Affiliations and expertise

Associate Professor, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, USA

Zenithson Ng

Dr. Zenithson Ng is a clinical associate professor at the University of Tennessee. He earned his undergraduate degree in animal science from Rutgers University and his veterinary degree from Cornell University; then completed a small animal rotating internship at the ASPCA in NYC, followed by a canine/feline primary care residency combined with a master’s degree in human-animal bond studies at Virginia Tech. His clinical interests include small animal behavior, dentistry, preventive medicine, and management of chronic disease. His research and teaching interests span all aspects of the human-animal bond including the effect of human-animal interaction on both humans and animals, the veterinary-client relationship, and stress reduction in both veterinary and animal-assisted intervention settings.

Affiliations and expertise

Associate Professor, University of Tennessee, USA

Taylor Chastain Griffin

Dr. Taylor Chastain Griffin is the Executive Director of The Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals and is the National Director of Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) Advancement at Pet Partners. In these roles, she oversees the organizations’ empirical research collaborations and works with other field leaders to motivate standardization and professionalization of the intervention. With a background as a dog trainer, therapy dog handler, and mental health counselor, Dr. Chastain Griffin came to her position with a variety of experiences that inform her work. Having completed her doctorate in research psychology with a focus on the human-animal bond, she works to formally integrate expertise in the field of human services with best practices while working with therapy animals.

Affiliations and expertise

Ph.D.

Philip Tedeschi

Philip Tedeschi is the Director Emeritus and Founder of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection, a licensed clinical social worker, a clinical professor at the Graduate School of Social Work and an affiliated faculty with the University of Denver’s Animal Law Program. He teaches in the Human- Animal-Environmental Interaction Certificate for Master of Social Work students, examining the intricate relationship between people, domestic and wild animals, and the natural world. Tedeschi’s research, scholarship, teaching, and community practice work have focused on issues of social and interspecies justice, global perspectives of human-animal interactions, conservation social work and human ecology. He specializes in the bio-affiliative connection between people and animals, the health promoting potential of human-animal and nature interaction, trauma informed care and causes of maltreatment to people and other non-human animals.

Affiliations and expertise

Director Emeritus, Institute for Human-Animal Connection, USA

Life Sciences

Physical Sciences & Engineering

Social Sciences & Humanities

Health

Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy

Purchase options

World Book Day Celebration!

Institutional subscription on ScienceDirect

Resources

Aubrey H Fine

Aubrey H Fine

Megan Mueller

Zenithson Ng

Taylor Chastain Griffin

Philip Tedeschi

Related books