What is Animal Assisted Therapy?

Animal Assisted Therapy

Therapy dogs are not service dogs! Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is used to help reduce stress and anxiety. AAT is a growing field that uses a variety of animals. Dogs are commonly used; however, cats, horses, donkeys, alpacas, and llamas are also used. These animals are trained and certified to help provide psychological and physiological therapy to those in high stress environments such as schools, airports, and hospitals (Grove & Henderson, 2018). Their job is to socialize with others who are not their owner to help calm and ease their stress and anxiety levels. Animals can offer a sense of safety that can put people at ease during therapy sessions. Various studies have shown positive effects of AAT. 

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