Collaboration in Animal-Assisted Activities and Animal-Assisted Therapy

Animal Assisted Intervention is a valuable tool in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. Conducting goal-directed, therapeutic Animal-Assisted Interventions requires certification, training and collaboration. It is important that Animal Assisted Therapy teams comprised of specially trained dogs and handlers are co-certified to ensure the safety of patients, therapeutic interactions, and beneficial outcomes aligned with rehab goals. Some examples of speech therapy goals and outcomes in AAT are included below. It is preferred to conduct co-treatment sessions with AAT therapists and a second clinician to increase the opportunity for a variety of treatment modalities, to develop collaborative ideas for treatment sessions and to improve socialization opportunities. To collaborate for a successful AAT session, a co-treating therapist must first understand the AAT program and services available specific to the trained animal-handler team. This article outlines the process involved in obtaining and maintaining a skilled facility dog and an Animal Assisted Therapy program in an inpatient rehabilitation hospital. Animal Assisted Therapy has great potential to excite, distract, engage, encourage, and motivate patients. It is a new field, with generalized criteria for practice and limited standard protocols. It is underutilized and often mischaracterized. With more widespread education and advocacy and development of clinical standards and guidelines, AAT could improve the lives of so many people hoping to return to life as they knew it.