Animal Assisted Therapy in Counseling is the most comprehensive book available dedicated to training mental health practitioners in Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT). It explains the history and practice of AAT in counseling, discusses the latest empirical research, and provides an in-depth explanation of the psychodynamics of AAT within various theoretical frameworks. Readers will learn the proper way to select, train, and evaluate an animal for therapy. The use of a number of different therapy animals is considered, including dogs, cats, horses, birds, farm animals, rabbits and other small animals, and dolphins. Guidelines for implementing AAT in settings such as private practices, community agencies, schools, hospices, and prisons are covered, as well as ethical and legal considerations, risk management, diversity issues, and crisis and disaster response applications. Numerous case examples illustrate the use of AAT principles with clients, and forms, client handouts, and other resources provide valuable tools. This unique resource is an indispensable guide for any counselor looking to develop and implement AAT techniques in his or her practice.

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

The integration of animals into the therapy setting by psychotherapists has been a growing trend. Psychological problems treated include emotional and behavioral problems, attachment issues, trauma, and developmental disorders. An influential 1970s survey suggests that over 20 percent of therapists in the psychotherapy division of the American Psychological Association incorporated animals into their treatment in some fashion. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the number is much higher today. Since Yeshiva University psychologist Boris Levinson popularized the involvement of animals in psychotherapy in the 1960s, Israel has come to be perhaps the most advanced country in the world in the area of animal-assisted psychotherapy (AAP). This is true especially in the areas of academic training programs, theory-building, and clinical practice. Great effort has been put into understanding the mechanisms behind AAP, as well as into developing ethical guidelines that take into account the therapist's responsibility toward both client and animal. This book exposes the world to the theory and practice of AAP as conceived and used in Israel. It emphasizes evidence-based and clinically sound applications with psychotherapeutic goals, as differentiated from other animal-assisted interventions, such as AAE (animal-assisted education) and AAA (animal-assisted activities), which may have education or skills-oriented goals. Not just anyone with a dog can call him-or herself an animal-assisted therapist. This volume demonstrates not only the promise of animal-assisted psychotherapeutic approaches, but also some of the challenges the field still needs to overcome to gain widespread legitimacy.

This book will provide the reader with a well rounded understanding of animal-assisted therapy, or "pet therapy." Animal-assisted therapy is a therapeutic tool that is used to faciliate the client's treatment and recovery process. Some of the people who will benefit from reading this book include counselors, school counselors, social workers, educators, students, and anyone interested in animal-assisted therapy. Teachers may implement this book in their instructional materials. Authors, books, journals, articles, and resources have been consolidated into a descriptive designed graduate level thesis. There is a detailed table of contents that will allow the reader to quickly access the section he or she is looking for. A glossary consisting of animal-assisted therapy topics is provided. This book reads easily and will engage the reader. Ways to integrate land and marine mammals into the client's treatment will be shown, as well as kinds of land and marine mammals to be utilized. Animal-assisted therapy may be utilized with many clinical diagnoses and therapeutic issues. There are many types of facilities that may benefit from animal-assisted therapy. Examples and further explanation will be given addressing these topics. Basic tenets, ethical issues, and certification will be explained. Within the helping professions, ethics are vital and certification has become mandatory in many states. The needs of the client, the clinician, and the animal will be discussed. Benefits of animal-assisted therapy will be included. Resources that will facilitate the implementation of animal-assisted therapy will be shown. The reader who would like to pursue animal-assisted therapy in further detail will be given additional resources. The goal of this descriptive designed graduate level thesis was to consolidate many good works into one book. As time advances, the material presented in this book will continue to be useful.

First Published in 2012. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Learn to use a powerful tool in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy—a pet Animal Assisted Activities/Therapy (AAA/T) is an innovative intervention in which an animal becomes a crucial—and highly effective—part of the treatment process. Pet-Assisted Brief Therapy: A Solution-Focused Approach gives therapists the tools they need to begin and maintain an effective treatment program that meaningfully merges dogs and other therapy animals with Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT). This unique book clearly explains how AAA/T integrated with SFT in one substance abuse counseling program. It provides a revealing description of the program’s challenges and successes, and discusses the possibilities for AAA/T implementation in other agencies. The authors review in detail the multitude of scenarios where animals can add a valuable dimension for treatment with clients on specific issues. Animal-Assisted Brief Therapy: A Solution-Focused Approach provides therapists with concrete examples of how to appropriately implement AAA/T to cultivate positive effects in treatment. The book explains how this loving and patient therapy for clients need not be the difficult challenge that it at first appears to be. This resource takes you step by step through the process, showing what practical strategies can be used to offset most obstacles and unknowns. This one-of-a-kind guide clearly explains how to blend and structure the numerous aspects of AAA/T with Solution Focused Therapy to become a more effective treatment program. Appendices provide AAA/T resources, sample policy and procedures, and training resources across the United States. Animal-Assisted Brief Therapy: A Solution-Focused Approach discusses: the history of AAA/T common values between AAA/T and Solution-Focused Therapy the principles and goals of SFT how to understand canine culture the creation of a successful AAA/T program phobias, allergies, liabilities, and insurance therapy dogs’ needs common interventions therapy with children therapy with adolescents therapy with adults therapy with substance abusing clients Animal-Assisted Brief Therapy: A Solution-Focused Approach provides a comprehensive look at AAA/T and is perfect for therapists struggling to find new and effective ways to work with clients; therapists trying to utilize this approach in their practice; administrators and clinical supervisors wanting to implement AAA/T at their agency; educators; and students.