Animal Assisted Interventions
Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) are a clinical technique that leverages the unique bond between humans and animals to enhance the therapeutic process, build rapport, and promote holistic well-being. These interventions are increasingly recognized for their effectiveness in complementing traditional talk-therapy modalities and addressing a variety of physical and mental health concerns.
Human-animal interaction: Any situation where there is interchange between humans and animals at an individual or cultural level. These interactions are diverse and idiosyncratic and may be fleeting or profound…considered to be therapeutic, but in which there is no ongoing relationship between the human and animal.
Human-animal bond: A mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship that is influenced by behaviors that are essential to the health and well-being of both human and animal…the relationship includes recognition, reciprocity, and persistence
Animal-assisted activities (AAA) involve casual interactions between individuals and therapy animals in settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and rehabilitation centers. These interactions are often aimed at providing comfort, companionship, and joy to participants rather than achieving specific therapeutic goals.
Animal Assisted Activities
- Informal interactions that can be led by professionals, paraprofessionals and volunteers
- Must have received some form of assessment or introductory training
- Activities have a wide variety of purposes including motivational, educational, and recreational (IAHAIO, 2014).
- Commonly seen in nursing homes and hospitals (Chandler, 2012)
Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) involve using animals, typically trained therapy animals, as part of a therapeutic or treatment process to promote physical, emotional, cognitive, or social well-being in humans. These interventions can take various forms and are implemented by professionals across different fields, including healthcare, education, and mental health.
Animal Assisted Intervention
- “a goal-oriented and structured intervention that intentionally includes or incorporates animals in health, education, and human services (e.g. social work) for the purpose of therapeutic gains in humans”
- While an intervention differs from therapy, there may be inherent therapeutic gains made by the client through the intentional inclusion of an animal such as building rapport with the therapist, motivation to attend appointments, catharsis throughout appointments, opportunities for unstructured play and conversation, and endless opportunities for guided conversation based on the animal-collaborator (Chandler, 2012; Nimer & Lundahl, 2007).
In animal-assisted therapy (AAT), a trained therapy animal, such as a dog or horse, is incorporated into treatment sessions led by a licensed healthcare professional. The presence of the animal can help facilitate rapport, reduce stress and anxiety, increase motivation, and improve overall mood during therapy sessions.
Animal Assisted Therapy
- A goal-directed, therapeutic intervention facilitated by a human services professional, with deliberate inclusion of an animal in a therapeutic treatment plan
- Involves a licensed therapist who is trained to guide interactions between a patient and an animal to reach specific goals (Chandler, 2012; IAHAIO, 2014)
- Must utilize a plan, monitor client progress, and be documented in therapy notes (IAHAIO, 2014)
- The inclusion of an animal is designed to accomplish outcomes believed to be difficult to achieve without the animal (Nimer & Lundahl, 2007)
- Emphasizes the mutually beneficial and reciprocal interchange between humans and animals (Russow, 2002; Hosey & Melfi, 2014).
Citations and Permalinks for Readings:
| Acri, M., Morrissey, M., Peth-Pierce, R., Seibel, L., Seag, D., Hamovitch, E. K., Guo, F., Horwitz, S., & Hoagwood, K. E. (2021). An equine-assisted therapy for youth with mild to moderate anxiety: Manual development and fidelity. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 30(10), 2461–2467. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-021-02011-4 | https://proxy.ulib.csuohio.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edssjs&AN=edssjs.355FEE79&site=eds-live&scope=site |
| Anestis, M., Anestis, J., Zawilinski, L., Hopkins, T., & Lilienfield, S. 2014. Equine-related treatments for mental disorders lack empirical support: A systematic review of empirical investigations. Journal of Clinical Psychology 70(12): 1115–1132. | https://proxy.ulib.csuohio.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsbl&AN=RN362954676&site=eds-live&scope=site |
| Bachi, K. 2012. Equine-facilitated psychotherapy: The gap between practice and knowledge. Society & Animals 20(4): 364–380. | https://proxy.ulib.csuohio.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=83591228&site=eds-live&scope=site |
| Bachi, K. 2013. Application of attachment theory to equine assisted psychotherapy. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy 43(3): 187–196. | https://rave.ohiolink.edu/ejournals/article/313782290 |
| Bachi, K., Terkel, J., & Teichman, M. (2012, January 1). Equine-facilitated psychotherapy for at-risk adolescents: The influence on self-image, self-control and trust. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 17(2), 298–312. | https://rave.ohiolink.edu/ejournals/article/325434481 |
| Beetz, A., Uvnäs-Moberg, K., Julius, H., & Kotrschal, K. (2012). Psychosocial and psychophysiological effects of human-animal interactions: the possible role of oxytocin. Frontiers in psychology, 3, 234. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00234 | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3408111/ |
| Berget, B., & Ihlebæk, C. 2011. Animal-assisted interventions; effects on human mental health-A theoretical framework. In Uehara, T. (Ed.). Psychiatric Disorders-Worldwide Advances. Retrieved from https://www.intechopen.com/books/psychiatric-disorders-worldwide-advances | https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/20973 |
| Bert, F., Gualano, M. R., Camussi, E., Pieve, G., Voglino, G., & Siliquini, R. (2016). Animal assisted intervention: A systematic review of benefits and risks. European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 8(5), 695–706. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2016.05.005 | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7185850/ |
| Burgon, H. L. 2011. Queen of the world: Experience of ‘at-risk’ young people participating in equine-assisted learning therapy. Journal of Social Work Practice 25(2): 165–183. | https://proxy.ulib.csuohio.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rzh&AN=104897560&site=eds-live&scope=site |
| Burgon, H. L. 2014. Equine assisted therapy and learning with at-risk young people. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan. | n/a |
| Button, S. S. 2010. The effects of therapeutic horseback riding on classroom attention of special education students. Northern Illinois University. | n/a |
| Carlsson, C. 2016. Equine-assisted Social Work or Therapy–Addressing Gaps and Contradictory Results. In Equine Cultures in Transition: Human-horse relationships in theory and practice: changing concepts of interaction and ethics 27-29 Oktober. | n/a |
| Chandler, C.K. (2005). Animal-assisted therapy in counseling. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. N.M | n/a |
| Dashper, K. (2017). Listening to Horses: Developing Attentive Interspecies Relationships through Sport and Leisure. Society & Animals, 25(3), 207–224. | https://proxy.ulib.csuohio.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsbl&AN=RN611537783&site=eds-live&scope=site |
| Esbjorn, R. J. 2006. When horses heal: A qualitative inquiry into equine facilitated psychotherapy. (Doctoral dissertation.) Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Palo Alto, CA. | n/a |
| Esposito, L., McCune, S., Griffin, J. A., & Maholmes, V. (2011). Directions in human–animal interaction research: Child development, health, and therapeutic interventions. Child Development Perspectives, 5(3), 205-211. | https://proxy.ulib.csuohio.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsbl&AN=RN296204480&site=eds-live&scope=site |
| Ewing, C., MacDonald, P., Taylor, M., & Bowers, M. (2007). Equine-Facilitated Learning for Youths with Severe Emotional Disorders: A Quantitative and Qualitative Study. Child & Youth Care Forum, 36(1), 59–72. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-006-9031-x | https://rave.ohiolink.edu/ejournals/article/324169833 |
| Fine, A. H. (Ed.). (2019). Handbook on animal-assisted therapy: Foundations and guidelines for animal-assisted interventions. Academic press. | https://scholar.csuohio.edu/record=b4589049 |
| Fox, V.M., Lawlor, V.A., & Luttges, M.W. 1984. Pilot study of novel test instrumentation to evaluate therapeutic horseback riding. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly 1 (1): 30-36. | https://proxy.ulib.csuohio.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=s3h&AN=20846419&site=ehost-live |
| Geist, T. 2011. Conceptual framework for animal assisted therapy. Journal of Child and Adolescent Social Work 28: 243–256. | https://rave.ohiolink.edu/ejournals/article/326655097 |
| Granger, B., Kogan, L., Fitchett, J., & Helmer, K. (1998). The human-animal team approach to animal assisted therapy. Anthrozoos, 11 (3). | |
| Hallberg, L. 2008. Walking the way of the horse: Exploring the power of the horse-human relationship (p. 78). Bloomington, IN: iUniverse. | n/a |
| Harris, A., & Williams, J. M. 2017. The impact of a horse riding intervention on the social functioning of children with autism spectrum disorder. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 14(7): 776. | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5551214/ |
| Herzog, H. (2015). Chapter 28.3 – The Research Challenge: Threats to the Validity of Animal-Assisted Therapy Studies and Suggestions for Improvement – Fine, Aubrey H Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy (Fourth Edition) (pp. 402-406). San Diego: Academic Press. | |
| Hession, C. E., Eastwood, B., Watterson, D., Lehane, C. M., Oxley, N., & Murphy, B. A. (2014). Therapeutic horse riding improves cognition, mood arousal, and ambulation in children with dyspraxia. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 20(1), 19-23. | https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Barbara-Murphy-2/publication/259592167_Hession_et_al_Original_Article/data/00b7d52cd50eeb58a7000000/Hession-et-al-Original-Article.pdf |
| Hines, L. M. (2003). Historical perspectives on the human-animal bond. American Behavioral Scientist, 47(1), 7-15. | |
| Hoagwood, K., Vincent, A., Acri, M., Morrissey, M., Seibel, L., Guo, F., … & Horwitz, S. (2022). Reducing anxiety and stress among youth in a CBT-based equine-assisted adaptive riding program. Animals, 12(19), 2491. | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/19/2491 |
| Hoy-Gerlach J, Delgado M, Sloane H, Arkow P. Rediscovering connections between animal welfare and human welfare: creating social work internships at a humane society. J Soc Work. 2019;19(2):216–32. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468017318760775. | https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1468017318760775 |
| Hoy-Gerlach J, Wehman S. The relevance of human–animal interaction for social work practice. Washington: NASW Press; 2017. | n/a |
| Jegatheesan, B., Beetz, A., Choi, G., Dudzig, C., Fine, A., Garcia, R. M., . . . Yamazaki, K. (2013). IAHAIO WHITE PAPER The IAHAIO Definitions for Animal Assisted Intervention and Animal Assisted Activity and Guidelines for Wellness of Animals Involved Task Force. IAHAIO. | https://iahaio.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/iahaio-white-paper-2018-english.pdf |
| Janura, M., Svoboda, Z., Cabell, L., Dvoráková, T., & Jelen, K. (2015). Effect of repeated therapeutic horse riding sessions on the trunk movement of the rider. Neuroendocrinology Letters, 36(5), 481–489. | https://www.nel.edu/userfiles/articlesnew/NEL360515A10.pdf |
| Jordan, C. H., & Zanna, M. P. (1999). How to Read a Journal Article in Social Psychology 1, 2. | |
| Karol, J. 2007. Applying a traditional individual psychotherapy model to equine-facilitated psychotherapy (EFP): Theory and method. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry 12(1): 77–90. | https://rave.ohiolink.edu/ejournals/article/325487725 |
| Katz J. The new work of dogs: tending to life, love, and family. New York: Random House Incorporated; 2004. | https://proxy.ulib.csuohio.edu/login?url=https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/clevelandstate-ebooks/detail.action?docID=6104090 |
| Kazdin, A. E. (2015). Chapter 27 – Methodological Standards and Strategies for Establishing the Evidence Base of Animal-Assisted Therapies A2 – Fine, Aubrey H Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy (Fourth Edition) (pp. 377-390). San Diego: Academic Press. | |
| Kemp, K., Signal, T., Botros, H., Taylor, N., & Prentice, K. (2014). Equine Facilitated Therapy with Children and Adolescents Who Have Been Sexually Abused: A Program Evaluation Study. Journal of Child & Family Studies, 23(3), 558–566. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-013-9718-1 | https://rave.ohiolink.edu/ejournals/article/324128170 |
| Kern-Godal, A., Halvorsen Brenna, I., Ajo Arnevik, E., & Ravndal, E. (2016). More Than Just a Break from Treatment: How Substance Use Disorder Patients Experience the Stable Environment in Horse-Assisted Therapy. Substance Abuse: Research & Treatment, 10, 99–108. https://doi.org/10.4137/SART.S40475 | https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.4137/SART.S40475 |
| Kidd, A. H., & Kidd, R. M. 1987. Seeking a theory of the human/companion animal bond. Anthrozoös 1(3): 140-145. | n/a |
| Kis, A., Ciobica, A., & Topál, J. (2017). The effect of oxytocin on human-directed social behaviour in dogs (Canis familiaris). Hormones and Behavior, 94, 40–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2017.06.001 | https://rave.ohiolink.edu/ejournals/article/349177830 |
| Krob, K. E. 2015. Heroes and horses: Veteran and equine experiences with equine facilitated learning and therapy. Dissertation: University of Northern Colorado Press. | https://digscholarship.unco.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1031&context=dissertations |
| Lac, V. (2017). Equine-facilitated psychotherapy and learning: The human-equine relational development (HERD) approach. Academic press. | n/a |
| Lansade, L., Colson, V., Parias, C., Trösch, M., Reigner, F., & Calandreau, L. (2020). Female horses spontaneously identify a photograph of their keeper, last seen six months previously. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 6302. | https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-62940-w |
| Lefebvre, S. L., Golab, G. C., Christensen, E. L., Castrodale, L., Aureden, K., Bialachowski, A., . . . Weese, J. S. (2008). Guidelines for animal-assisted interventions in health care facilities. American Journal of Infection Control, 36(2), 78-85. | |
| Leighton, S. C., Nieforth, L. O., & O’Haire, M. E. (2022). Assistance dogs for military veterans with PTSD: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-synthesis. PloS one, 17(9), e0274960. | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9491613/pdf/pone.0274960.pdf |
| Lentini, J. A., & Knox, M. 2009. A qualitative and quantitative review of equine facilitated psychotherapy with children and adolescents. The Open Complementary Medicine Journal, 1: 51–57. http://benthamopen.com/ABSTRACT/TOALTMEDJ-1-51 | https://benthamopen.com/contents/pdf/TOALTMEDJ/TOALTMEDJ-1-51.pdf |
| MacNamara, M., Moga, J., & Pachel, C. (2015). What’s love got to do with it? Selecting animals for animal-assisted mental health interventions. In Handbook on animal-assisted therapy (pp. 91-101). Academic Press. | |
| Matuszek, S. 2010. Animal‐facilitated therapy in various patient populations: Systematic literature review. Holistic Nursing Practice 24(4): 187-203. doi:10.1097/HNP.0b013e3181e90197 | https://journals.lww.com/hnpjournal/fulltext/2010/07000/animal_facilitated_therapy_in_various_patient.3.aspx |
| McCullough, L., Risley-Curtiss, C., & Rorke, J. (2015). Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy: A Pilot Study of Effect on Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Maltreated Youth. Journal of Infant, Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy, 14(2), 158–173. https://doi.org/10.1080/15289168.2015.1021658 | https://proxy.ulib.csuohio.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=102915081&site=ehost-live |
| Messent, P. 1987. Problems with an encompassing theory. Anthrozoös, 1(3): 149-150. | n/a |
| Murthy, R., Bearman, G., Brown, S., Bryant, K., Chinn, R., Hewlett, A., . . . Weber, D. J. (2015). Animals in healthcare facilities: recommendations to minimize potential risks. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 36(5), 495-516. | |
| Nagasawa M, Mitsui S, En S, Ohtani N, Ohta M, Sakuma Y, Onaka T, Mogi K, Kikusui T. Social evolution. Oxytocin-gaze positive loop and the coevolution of human-dog bonds. Science. 2015 Apr 17;348(6232):333-6. doi: 10.1126/science.1261022. Epub 2015 Apr 16. PMID: 25883356. | https://www.science.org/doi/epdf/10.1126/science.1261022 |
| Nagasawa, M., Saito, M., Hirasawa, H., Mogi, K., & Kikusui, T. (2023). Dogs showed lower parasympathetic activity during mutual gazing while owners did not. The Journal of Physiological Sciences, 73(1), 9. | https://rave.ohiolink.edu/ejournals/article/389353282 |
| Naste, T. M., Price, M., Karol, J., Martin, L., Murphy, K., Miguel, J., & Spinazzola, J. (2018). Equine Facilitated Therapy for Complex Trauma (EFT-CT). Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 11(3), 289–303. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-017-0187-3 | https://proxy.ulib.csuohio.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=131532667&site=ehost-live |
| Ng Z, Albright J, Fine A, Peralta J (2015). Chapter 26 Our Ethical and Moral Responsibility: Ensuring the Welfare of Therapy Animals – Fine, AH. Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy (Fourth Edition) (pp. 357-373). San Diego: Academic Press. | |
| Ng, Z. Y., Pierce, B. J., Otto, C. M., Buechner-Maxwell, V. A., Siracusa, C., & Werre, S. R. (2014). The effect of dog-human interaction on cortisol and behavior in registered animal-assisted activity dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 159, 69–81. | https://rave.ohiolink.edu/ejournals/article/332252704 |
| Ng, Z., Albright, J., Fine, A. H., & Peralta, J. (2015). Our ethical and moral responsibility: Ensuring the welfare of therapy animals. In Handbook on animal-assisted therapy (pp. 357-376). Academic Press. | https://pdf.sciencedirectassets.com/321608/3-s2.0-C20170033153/3-s2.0-B9780128153956000122/main.pdf?X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEL3%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FwEaCXVzLWVhc3QtMSJHMEUCIEHutkEgUHO%2Bc6%2FaHBQDRnR8Jr2HnyMQRDYWO7glO6FhAiEAke6J1M33mrWX38AwCdq16PMtakfK3%2BNSh1y70KF0XGcqswUIRhAFGgwwNTkwMDM1NDY4NjUiDP3456XboM4YsCfZxSqQBR1sKNGpcZKe%2BX5VLHPwP3mYLVMFo3RvRz2C9YKM475sropelWg%2B%2F6%2FzD0%2BKnfLQQlctoobzEs7dLMVERCUbvYPN6o9SD2ogom6zYmZ9UYxilF7hlFuTRmd8nVS0qcDuAEyaFg0RpRx45bcMcQ2SfOwNdKRewIaR%2B8G6whtPrZWh9Tkgxo%2BGywnK5C0l0289O4gb61XCk3%2Fg6nwT4BRnZGgqjYEZ334xbsMUFaO8WZuyx42JrubQycsQd7Sza8LqFpVbz8wbpDbRf3shH8kJ22IOdzwjUF9BylnkndCuC9%2B1k0QOTOp72T%2FQu5PPZBweVySyO7rDG8bznV2ZW6EHcETkepUJjmClXlEXm3o6NMRAftJSvIFoPTy3a3hG8SMsfgXfeXquwaBcc4TFXUFwvh%2BaRaKx3j4iTKXlQiIgOO48xaEMtGdoZ%2F5LnunJX9X5xAC4hKXj%2BqWMvQWpsz8dHCLCN%2FWgYcyQYRB4Bhdqov70TmYIzSHL6cZ%2B9hUD71ybarZiw1PHJHfTv%2BG%2BcHaI5c7DNerhXrcOPLRfo3xFGvt4SQeKKglBB9uFbY4QQ3GjsW99BYldJ0dEZsteszUvvD9YqSUXBcNJKosWM6m9qIPrqOb5MZ2ItxHenDV4Cgudce0nRdQwF4apdCzrxSrFP5A8eBwOG0dsnQu%2BNqxfLY%2FJwtNLOYQDeE3uDpF8YKXc9k51oPoQsCaeKc%2FAigxCpc%2FOHbGLubrjjX%2FDbQau3xBJ2DsfclTwmtUjYfOdy888UZ0dgLDNAWzF4ySu%2BCQfFL%2BIQVXiXyi6Uhe8E%2FiNzPDOfCf1FwpLWDjXqpyinhnBjHBheKyb37w5tBFy7TeoLWYYTW8OAijx%2BQNdAbKf%2BbBiMM2R57IGOrEB1x1t3FUMkqoQkY0a1NkFYJSvH0EM%2BmeDI93sCZGpVsMo4o8MGBuyc5EqexI2yzvETCmImmi44f71ELZ8pHd8o8k84yIFcaLdlIq%2B8Lq5swuG6RB38P1bekfMZ8iUeMMqwHJw1mBQ1W1kfT%2B1v9ywPSBkorlfuI5NuPlRXpqTsqwzf5G36dUK86J4mkXQwPz8nL%2BG1LG6fSk%2BiMe6xkFSY2uz8WCMV39Pvynx1RwjfdNI&X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Date=20240531T141537Z&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Expires=300&X-Amz-Credential=ASIAQ3PHCVTY2VFCIPPJ%2F20240531%2Fus-east-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Signature=191e23fac9a93a544af4a18f05c939ebd41bbd0d24ad894d16d0f89bbcad8c55&hash=c290a56b162830c30cee288a7f35d72b5f543c8838e3ffac5026b0f5dd557ce3&host=68042c943591013ac2b2430a89b270f6af2c76d8dfd086a07176afe7c76c2c61&pii=B9780128153956000122&tid=spdf-a1cc83f0-e9a6-46e6-9994-403c7a463bc5&sid=f37debea700d26459e7873d1c92e23d25853gxrqa&type=client&tsoh=d3d3LnNjaWVuY2VkaXJlY3QuY29t&ua=11145e590150565c0c&rr=88c793b81910224c&cc=us |
| Ng, Z., Morse, L., Albright, J., Viera, A., & Souza, M. (2019). Describing the use of animals in animal-assisted intervention research. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 22(4), 364-376. | n/a |
| Nieforth, L. O., & Craig, E. A. (2021). Patient-centered communication (PCC) in equine assisted mental health. Health communication, 36(13), 1656-1665. | https://proxy.ulib.csuohio.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsbl&AN=vdc.100132398200.0×000001&site=eds-live&scope=site |
| Nieforth, L. O., Schwichtenberg, A. J., & O’Haire, M. E. (2023). Animal-assisted interventions for autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review of the literature from 2016 to 2020. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 10(2), 255-280. | https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40489-021-00291-6 |
| Nimer, J., & Lundahl, B. 2007. Animal-assisted therapy: A meta-analysis. Anthrozoös 20(3): 225-238. doi:10.2752/089279307X224773 | https://4healingcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/2007-nimer-lundahl-aat-meta.pdf |
| Norwood, M. F., Lakhani, A., Kendall, E., Fullagar, S., & Maujean, A. (2020). Engaging disenfranchised youth through an equine assisted activities program: Understanding psychosocial benefits of horse-human interactions. Society & Animals, 30(4), 424-444. | https://proxy.ulib.csuohio.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsbl&AN=RN629634057&site=eds-live&scope=site |
| O’Haire, M. E. (2013). Animal-assisted intervention for autism spectrum disorder: A systematic literature review. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 43, 1606-1622. | https://rave.ohiolink.edu/ejournals/article/332074494 |
| O’haire, M. E., Guérin, N. A., & Kirkham, A. C. (2015). Animal-assisted intervention for trauma: A systematic literature review. Frontiers in psychology, 6, 149673. | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4528099/pdf/fpsyg-06-01121.pdf |
| Odendaal JS, Meintjes RA. Neurophysiological correlates of affiliative behaviour between humans and dogs. Vet J. 2003;165(3):296–301. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1090-0233(02)00237-X. | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S109002330200237X?via%3Dihub |
| Rankins, E. M., McKeever, K. H., & Malinowski, K. (2024). Behavioral and Physiological Responses of Horses to Ground-based Adaptive Horsemanship Lessons for Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 105049. | https://rave.ohiolink.edu/ejournals/article/434049912 |
| Rodriguez, Kerri & Green, Freya & Binfet, John-Tyler & Townsend, Lisa & Gee, Nancy. (2023). Complexities and considerations in conducting animal-assisted intervention research: A discussion of randomized controlled trials. Human-Animal Interactions. 2023. 10.1079/hai.2023.0004. | |
| Roth, E. Q., Vega, B. J., Torres, R. M., Soler, S.M.C., & Pazos, R.M.M. 2005. From kids and horses: Equine facilitated psychotherapy for children. International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology 5(2): 373–383. | https://www.redalyc.org/pdf/337/33750210.pdf |
| Sable, P. 2013. The pet connection: An attachment perspective. Clinical Social Work Journal 41(1): 93-99. | https://rave.ohiolink.edu/ejournals/article/330862614 |
| Schlau E. Bring your dog to work day: what animal-assisted therapy is NOT. In: American Counseling Association Conference, San Francisco, CA. Vistas Online; 2017. | n/a |
| Schultz, P. N., Remick‐Barlow, G., & Robbins, L. 2007. Equine‐assisted psychotherapy: A mental health promotion/intervention modality for children who have experienced intra‐family violence. Health & Social Care in the Community 15(3): 265-271. | https://rave.ohiolink.edu/ejournals/article/330039423 |
| Serpell, J. A., Kruger, K. A., Freeman, L. M., Griffin, J. A., & Ng, Z. Y. (2020). Current standards and practices within the therapy dog industry: Results of a representative survey of United States therapy dog organizations. Frontiers in veterinary science, 7, 494524. | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7020743/pdf/fvets-07-00035.pdf |
| Serpell, McCune, S., Gee, N., & Griffin, J. A. (2017). Current challenges to research on animal-assisted interventions. Applied Developmental Science, 21(3), 223–233. | |
| St Peter, C.C.; Shuler, N.J.; Jones, S.H.; Bradtke, S.; Hull, S.L.; Browning, B.; VanGilder, S.; Petitto, C. Comparing training methods to improve volunteer skills during therapeutic horseback riding: A randomized control trial. J. Appl. Behav. Anal. 2021, 54, 1157–1174. |
https://rave.ohiolink.edu/ejournals/article/378381353 |
| Tedeschi P, Pearson J, Bayly D, Fine A (2015). Chapter 23. On Call 24/7 – The Emerging Roles of Service and Support Animals. Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy (Fourth Edition) (pp. 321-331). San Diego: Academic Press. | |
| Tedeschi, P., Fitchett, J., & Molidor, C. E. (2005). The Incorporation of Animal-Assisted Interventions in Social Work Education. Journal of Family Social Work, 9(4), 59–77. https://doi.org/10.1300/J039v09n04_05 | https://proxy.ulib.csuohio.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=sih&AN=22954865&site=ehost-live |
| Tedeschi, P., Fitchett, J., & Molidor, C. E. (2006). The incorporation of animal-assisted interventions in social work education. Journal of Family Social Work,9(4), 59-77. | |
| Trotter, K. 2012. Harnessing the power of equine assisted counseling: Adding animal assisted therapy to your practice. New York, NY: Routledge. | https://proxy.ulib.csuohio.edu/login?url=https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/clevelandstate-ebooks/detail.action?docID=958711 |
| Trotter, K. S., Chandler, C., Goodwin-Bond, D., & Casey, J. (2008). A Comparative Study of the Efficacy of Group Equine Assisted Counseling With At-Risk Children and Adolescents. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 3(3), 254–284. https://doi.org/10.1080/15401380802356880 | https://proxy.ulib.csuohio.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=35272193&site=ehost-live |
| VanFleet, R., Fine, A. H., O’Callaghan, D., Mackintosh, T., & Gimeno, J. (2015). Chapter 12 – Application of Animal-Assisted Interventions in Professional Settings: An Overview of Alternatives Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy (Fourth Edition) (pp. 157-177). San Diego: Academic Press. | |
| Vincent, A., & Peth-Pierce, R. (2023). Around the Arena: Equine-Assisted Services’ Foundation in Understanding Human-Horse Interactions. In The Routledge International Handbook of Human-Animal Interactions and Anthrozoology (pp. 522-536). Routledge. | n/a |
| Wilson, C. C. 1994. A conceptual framework for human-animal interaction research: The challenge revisited. Anthrozoös 7(1): 4-24. | n/a |
| Younggren, J. N., Boisvert, J. A., & Boness, C. L. (2016). Examining emotional support animals and role conflicts in professional psychology. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 47(4), 255-260. https://doi.org/10.1037/pro0000083 | https://rave.ohiolink.edu/ejournals/article/338946935 |
