Animal-Assisted Interventions
What are Animal-Assisted Interventions?
Animal-assisted interventions (AAI) are programs or strategies that intentionally incorporate animals in order to promote improved physical, social, or emotional health for the persons involved (AAI, 2016; Pet Partners, 2017; IAHAIO, 2013). Animal assisted interventions include, but are not limited to: assistance dogs; informal visiting programs at nursing homes; partnering with therapy animals in psychotherapy practices; read to animals programs in public libraries; hospital facility dog programs; or involving pets in public health programming. Animal-assisted interventions is an umbrella term that encompasses animal-assisted activities and animal-assisted therapy.
Animal-assisted interventions (AAI) are programs or strategies that intentionally incorporate animals in order to promote improved physical, social, or emotional health for the persons involved (AAI, 2016; Pet Partners, 2017; IAHAIO, 2013). Animal assisted interventions include, but are not limited to: assistance dogs; informal visiting programs at nursing homes; partnering with therapy animals in psychotherapy practices; read to animals programs in public libraries; hospital facility dog programs; or involving pets in public health programming. Animal-assisted interventions is an umbrella term that encompasses animal-assisted activities and animal-assisted therapy.
- Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA), as defined by Pet Partners (2017), are informal motivational, educational, and/or recreational opportunities to interact with animals that enhance wellbeing and quality of life. AAA are delivered by a professional, para-professional, or volunteer who demonstrates knowledge about animals and the human populations with which they interact. Therapy animals and their handlers are trained to provide specific human populations with appropriate contact with animals. They are usually the personal pets of the handlers and accompany their handlers to the sites they visit. Animals must meet specific criteria for health, grooming and behavior.
- Animal-Assisted Therapy is a goal-oriented, structured, and documented therapeutic intervention directed by formally trained and licensed health or human service providers as part of their profession (Pet Partners, 2017; IAHAIO, 2014).
AAI Related Services
AAI CONSULTATION & PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
Incorporating animals into therapeutic interventions has the potential to enhance outcomes, support establishment of the therapeutic alliance, and improve wellbeing. These types of interventions also increase risks and require specialized knowledge, skills, and programming.
With this service, you will receive a thorough needs assessment, an evaluation of risks, consultation on obtaining liability insurance, connections to organizations or individuals who can provide therapy dog teams or support in incorporating your own pet into your work, and a comprehensive written program design. Services are customized to your needs and may include just one consultation, or may include ongoing support to conduct program evaluation, quality improvement, or accreditation preparation.
Incorporating animals into therapeutic interventions has the potential to enhance outcomes, support establishment of the therapeutic alliance, and improve wellbeing. These types of interventions also increase risks and require specialized knowledge, skills, and programming.
With this service, you will receive a thorough needs assessment, an evaluation of risks, consultation on obtaining liability insurance, connections to organizations or individuals who can provide therapy dog teams or support in incorporating your own pet into your work, and a comprehensive written program design. Services are customized to your needs and may include just one consultation, or may include ongoing support to conduct program evaluation, quality improvement, or accreditation preparation.
References
Animal Assisted Intervention International (AAII) (2016). Animal Assisted Intervention. The Netherlands: AAII. Retrieved from http://www.aai-int.org/aai/animal-assisted-intervention/
International Association of Human-Animal Interactions Organizations (2014). The IAHAIO White Paper. Warsaw, Poland: IAHAIO. Retrieved from http://www.iahaio.org/new/fileuploads/4163IAHAIO%20WHITE%20PAPER-%20FINAL%20-%20NOV%2024-2014.pdf
Pet Partners. (2017). Terminology. Bellevue, WA: Pet Partners. Retrieved from https://petpartners.org/learn/terminology/
International Association of Human-Animal Interactions Organizations (2014). The IAHAIO White Paper. Warsaw, Poland: IAHAIO. Retrieved from http://www.iahaio.org/new/fileuploads/4163IAHAIO%20WHITE%20PAPER-%20FINAL%20-%20NOV%2024-2014.pdf
Pet Partners. (2017). Terminology. Bellevue, WA: Pet Partners. Retrieved from https://petpartners.org/learn/terminology/