Mirena Dimolareva, Victoria Brelsford, Kerstin Meints
Abstract
This chapter provides an overview of different types of animal-assisted interventions and their definitions, their history and purpose. Having introduced standard definitions of the main fields within AAI (i.e., Animal-Assisted Activity, Animal-Assisted Therapy and Animal-Assisted Education), we highlight benefits as well as potential risks involved in AAI and include discussion of recent results in the field. We embed our overview and discussion in theories addressing how and why AAI may work. We furthermore address questions of scientific rigour, and provide recommendations for best practice in AAI, including safety and welfare of all involved and highlight the need for internationally accepted and recognised standards and guidelines for AAI professionals.
Reading recommendations
Fine, A. H. (Ed.). (2019). Handbook on animal-assisted therapy: Foundations and guidelines for animal-assisted interventions. Academic press.
Gee, N. R., Townsend, L., LCSW-C, P. D., & Findling, R. L. (Eds.). (2023). The Role of Companion Animals in the Treatment of Mental Disorders. American Psychiatric Pub.
Gee, N. R., Fine, A. H., & McCardle, P. (Eds.). (2017). How animals help students learn: Research and practice for educators and mental-health professionals. Taylor & Francis.
Kazdin, A. E. (2017). Strategies to improve the evidence base of animal-assisted interventions. Applied developmental science, 21(2), 150-164.
Parish-Plass, N. (Ed.). (2013). Animal-assisted psychotherapy: Theory, issues, and practice. Purdue University Press.
Peralta, J. M., & Fine, A. H. (2021). The Welfare of Animals in Animal Assisted Interventions (pp. 265-284). Heidelberg, Germany:: Springer Veterinary Medicine.
Web resources and Presentation recommendations
Animal assisted therapy, Dr. Sunday Agbonika | TEDxAdankolo: link here
Dolphin Assisted Therapy, Autism & Pseudoscience: link here
How risk assessment tools can make animal assisted interventions in schools safe and accessible: link here
Activity
Based on chapter 8 and the ‘LEAD Risk Assessment Tool’ which can be found here, design a safe animal -assisted intervention for children.
