Benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy ALL About Leo!

Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is intervention delivered by a professional with the participation of an animal. While cats, rabbits, and other animals may be used for AAT, dogs are most common. AAT can be incorporated into a variety of disciplines including speech, occupational, and physical therapy.

Why would I want to incorporate a dog into therapy sessions?

Humans often bond with animals, and there has been research to support the use of animals to reduce stress and calm people in difficult situations.

Therapy can be challenging! Therapy dogs can provide motivation, be a listening ear, increase communication, and bring a smile to the face of your client or student who is working hard to achieve his speech and language goals.

Keep in mind that the dog is not doing therapy! The THERAPIST is doing therapy with the participation of the dog.

So what can the dog do? The dog can participate as reinforcement and encouragement in the form of high-fives and snuggles. The dog can follow verbal commands to support a goal. For example: commanding “sit” and “stay” while practicing the /s/ sound.

Benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy

            ●        Helps children build their confidence

            ●        Enhances children’s empathy and care-giving

            ●        Provides children with the experience of unconditional acceptance

            ●        Helps facilitate healthy attachment relationships

            ●        Reduces children’s fears and anxieties

            ●        Strengthens children’s sense of emotional/physical safety

            ●        Helps teach children appropriate behaviors with both animals and people

‍