Animal assisted therapy

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a type of therapy that involves animals as a form of treatment. The goal of AAT is to improve a patient's social, emotional, or cognitive functioning.

History

The use of animals in therapy dates back to the 18th century, with the York Retreat in England using animals to help patients with mental health issues. The modern field of animal-assisted therapy is largely attributed to the work of Boris Levinson, a child psychologist who discovered the therapeutic effect of animals on his patients in the 1960s.

Types of Animal-Assisted Therapy

There are several types of animal-assisted therapy, including:

• Equine-assisted therapy: This involves the use of horses in therapeutic activities. It can help individuals with a variety of physical and mental health issues, including autism, cerebral palsy, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

• Canine-assisted therapy: Dogs are commonly used in AAT due to their ability to form strong emotional bonds with humans. This type of therapy can be beneficial for individuals with depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.

• Dolphin-assisted therapy: Although controversial due to concerns about animal welfare, some therapists use dolphins in therapeutic activities. This type of therapy is often used for individuals with developmental disabilities or mental health disorders.

Benefits and Criticisms

Research has shown that animal-assisted therapy can have numerous benefits, including reduced anxiety and depression, improved social skills, and increased self-esteem. However, there are also criticisms of AAT, with some arguing that it can be exploitative of animals and that more research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness.

See Also

• Pet therapy
• Therapy dog
• Therapy cat
• Animal-assisted activities