Resources
Animal Therapy Types
ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY (AAT)
AAT uses animal interactions with patients to aid recovery from health problems or to help people cope with certain medical conditions. Those medical providers and therapists who support AAT believe it has many benefits such as helping with personal and social development, increased self-esteem, improved mental health, better social skills, and increased empathy and nurturing skills.
Examples of Practices​
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Hospital inpatient treatments
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Children with physical and mental disabilities
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Hospital patients recovering from surgery
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Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
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Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder
EXAMPLES OF PRACTICES
ANIMAL ASSISTED ACTIVITIES THERAPY ANIMALS (AAA)
AAA therapy is based on animal visitation that can improve social skills, motor functions, diffuse anxiety, and even lower blood pressure. The most familiar use is animal visits to elderly care facilities and patients in hospitals, but more recently animals are used in exercise classes and colleges and universities.
Examples of Practices​
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Abate feelings of loneliness for the elderly
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Improve children's reading skills & emotional awareness
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Enhance socialization for people with autism
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Speed up inpatient's recovery time
EXAMPLES OF PRACTICES
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL THERAPY (ESA)
These are animals that provide companionship and emotional support for people diagnosed with a psychological disorder. An emotional support animal (ESA) may be an animal of any species, the use of which is supported by a qualified physician, psychiatrist or other mental health professional based upon a disability-related need.
Examples of Practices​
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Improve conditions with emotional disabilities
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Treatment for mild to severe anxiety
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Treating chronic pain
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Improve self-esteem