Related links

  • Pets in schoolsHow guinea pigs as classroom pets affect the social behaviours of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their typically-developing classmates.
  • Educational resourcesIf you’re a teacher or a group leader, The Blue Cross has lots of great resources for you to use with your children, from worksheets and lesson plans to curriculum-linked programmes
  • AAI programmesAnimals such as dogs, cats and horses are increasingly included in therapeutic programmes for people with diverse needs.
  • PetserciseThe Pet Health Council hopes to motivate pet owners to improve their own health and that of their furry friends.

Human-animal bond research

Family with pet cat.

The human-companion animal bond is of great public interest as well as a growing area of study for the scientific community.

Read more

Terminology

There are a number of ways in which people refer to the inclusion of animals in therapeutic practice. 

The definition adopted by SCAS is: Horse and rider cantering across field

“Any intervention that intentionally includes or incorporates animals as part of a therapeutic or ameliorative process of milieu” (Kruger and Serpell, 2006).

 AAI includes ‘animal-assisted activities’ (AAA) and ‘animal-assisted therapy’ (AAT). Many people working in the field adopt the Delta Society definitions to differentiate between these two approaches: 

Animal-assisted therapy: “is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal that meets specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process.  AAT is directed and/or delivered by a health/human service professional with specialised expertise and within the scope of practice of his/her profession.  Outcomes are documented, measured and evaluated.”

Animal-assisted activities:  “provide opportunities for motivational, educational, recreational and/or therapeutic benefits to enhance quality of life.  AAA’s are delivered in a variety of environments by paraprofessionals and/or volunteers in association with animals that meet specific criteria.” 

Interactions are spontaneous and there is no requirement to document or evaluate.

The approach that is adopted for a programme will depend on whether it is:

  • Goal-directed or spontaneous
  • Delivered by a trained health care professional (eg counsellor, occupational therapist) or a volunteer
  • Documented, evaluated and measured

Animal-assisted interventions can be traced back many hundreds of years.  For example:

  • The Ancient Greeks kept dogs in their healing temples and advocated horseback riding for people suffering from depression (known then as 'melanchology') and to lift the spirits of people who were terminally ill.

    A small pet is often an excellent companion for the sick, for long chronic cases especially.

    Florence Nightingale, 1859

  • The first recorded introduction of companion animals to an institution in the UK was at the York retreat, an innovative psychiatric institution established in 1796. 
  • The therapeutic value of companion animals was also recognised by Florence Nightingale

Today, many diverse programmes exist which take the form of AAI or AAT.  It is a rapidly growing and exciting area of study and practice.