additional INFORMATION for referring PROFESSIONALS

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is defined as “A goal directed intervention

where there is a specific therapeutic end in mind, such as improvement of language skills, increased attention span or to increase awareness of sensation and body position where the animal plays a key role in meeting the specific criteria. It involves a human health service professional using identified aims and objectives to reach agreed goals.”

(The Delta Society, 1997)

There has been much research-based evidence supporting the many benefits that interaction with dogs can achieve in promoting human health and well-being. Animal-Assisted Therapy takes this interaction further, utilising the human-animal bond to address physical, cognitive, emotional, psychosocial and communication goals.

AAT has proved to be a treatment modality which can be utilised to compliment the role of the Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist and Speech and Language Therapist. By liaising with clinicians working with individuals, we are able to work on specific goals, measuring progress and adapting the intervention as appropriate in order to achieve positive outcomes.