This book shares the journey of Renee Farneti Jensen, occupational therapist, who developed and implemented a Canine Animal Assisted Therapy program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The book is a valuable resource for therapists and parents who are considering this type of therapy for autistic children. The introduction shares a vingette written from the perspective of the therapy dog, Vicki, who shared this journey with Renee. The author provides comprehensive information from start to finish in selecting populations who would benefit from this type of therapy through the selection of a dog, trainer and even materials to use to train others. This book is being published posthumously for the author by her sister, Carol Farneti Foster, as a fulfillment of the author's dying wish.

This book looks at how therapies involving animals can be used to help individuals with autism to develop skills, including sensory and social skills, to manage challenging behaviors, and improve quality of life. Whether participating in therapeutic horseback riding, utilizing a trained service dog, visiting a dolphin therapy center, or simply experiencing companion animal therapy, people with autism can reap a multitude of benefits from interaction with furry, feathered, and finned friends. Merope Pavlides relates the success stories of different animal-assisted interventions, as well as noting the challenges of working with particular animal species. She also emphasizes the importance of tailoring interventions to the specific needs of the individual and of monitoring progress. With recommendations for resources and further reading, this book will be of great interest to people with autism, their parents, and the professionals who work with them.

Problem: Social impairment in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Purpose and Aims: To summarize major findings related to animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in children with ASD and answer the following question: In children with autism spectrum disorder, does the use of animal-assisted therapy compared to no animal therapy increase positive social interactions? Theoretical Background: Kolcaba’s theory of holistic comfort is used as a framework to support the use of AAT in children with ASD. Method: Data was collected through the CINAHL database. Keywords used in the database search include “autism or asd or autism spectrum disorder” and “animal assisted therapy or pet therapy or animal therapy or animal intervention or animal assisted activity.” These key phrases were mentioned in 99 articles within the U.S., Australia, Greece, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, and other countries. Inclusion criteria includes peer reviewed journal articles written in English, those mentioning AAT and children with ASD, and published between 2006 and 2019. Findings: Therapy dogs promote verbal and nonverbal behaviors in children with ASD. Other common themes include decreased anxiety, decreased negative behaviors, increased social interaction, and improved mood. Conclusion: Articles with higher levels of evidence, larger sample size, and increased generalizability and statistical power are needed to determine treatment effectiveness and differences in treatment outcomes. Key words: Autism, ASD, autism spectrum disorder, animal-assisted therapy, pet therapy, animal therapy, animal intervention, animal-assisted activity -- Abstract.

The original edition was the first book to provide a comprehensive overview of the ways in which animals can assist therapists with treatment of specific populations, and/or in specific settings. The second edition continues in this vein, with 7 new chapters plus substantial revisions of continuing chapters as the research in this field has grown. New coverage includes: Animals as social supports, Use of AAT with Special Needs students, the role of animals in the family- insights for clinicians, and measuring the animal-person bond. - Contributions from veterinarians, animal trainers, psychologists, and social workers - Includes guidelines and best practices for using animals as therapeutic companions - Addresses specific types of patients and environmental situations