Animal-assisted therapy is an intervention:

• led by a professional trained in animal-assisted therapy (the animal-assisted therapist),
• with a trained and selected animal (the animal-assisted therapy intervention partner, also called APIZ),
• with a person in need (the client).

The goal of animal-assisted therapy intervention is the improvement of psychological, physical, emotional, cognitive, or social well-being, according to the client's specific needs. *

* Source: The Corporation of Animal-Assisted Therapists of Quebec

Clientele

Animal-assisted therapy can bring benefits to people of different age groups and living with various personal, emotional, psychosocial, or medical challenges:

• Early childhood
• Childhood
• Adolescence
• Adulthood
• Seniors and/or those in end-of-life situations

Objectives

Cognitive objectives

Improve organizational skills, work on memory, solve problems, make decisions, maintain attention to a task, etc.

Physiological objectives

Work on affected limbs, fine and gross motor skills, trunk rotation. Develop endurance and muscle tone. Coordinate movements, work on balance, develop the sense of touch, enhance or facilitate movement, etc.

Psychosocial objectives

Build connections, provide a listening and comforting presence, live in the present moment, improve the quality and frequency of exchanges with others, enhance the ability to open up emotionally, increase self-esteem, learn to interact in a humane and respectful way, control impulsivity, develop language, feel useful, practice personal hygiene, work on autonomy, etc.

Educational objectives

Practice concentration, stimulating review of school subjects, practice reading, maintain sustained attention, follow instructions, work to resolve learning difficulties, etc.

Process

The animal-assisted therapy practitioner:

• Collaborates closely with the treatment team;
• Plans and develops specific therapeutic programs;
• Chooses the animal based on the objectives to be achieved;
• Intervenes individually or, occasionally, with small groups;
• Respects the client's pace;
• Follows up with the client over several sessions;
• Writes follow-up reports.