05/05/2025
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🐾✨ It’s easy to see why people love the idea of a dog in a therapy room. Dogs bring comfort, connection, and joy — but when it comes to Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT), it’s important to know that true therapeutic work alongside animals involves much more than simply having a dog present.
This week I was reminded again that there continues to be dogs included in therapy sessions that are not trained, certified, or working under best-practice ethical guidelines. While many practitioners have good intentions, the risks — to clients, to the animals involved, and to the broader integrity of our field — are real when AAT is misunderstood or misapplied.
🐶 Ethical AAT requires specialised training, certification, and an ongoing commitment to the welfare of both the animal and the client. It is not enough for a dog to be 'friendly' or 'well-behaved.' True AAT dogs are highly trained, carefully selected, and most importantly, work exclusively alongside their own dedicated and certified handlers — not passed between unfamiliar humans, environments, or workloads.
When dogs are overworked, poorly matched, or handled by those without appropriate training, the risk of emotional stress, burnout, behavioural issues, and safety concerns rises dramatically — for both the dog and the clients engaging with them.
🐾 Animals are not "tools" in therapy. They are sentient beings with rights, needs, and vulnerabilities of their own — and their well-being must be respected at all times.
If you're considering AAT for yourself or someone you care about, here are a few important questions to ask your therapist:
🔎 What training have you completed in Animal-Assisted Therapy?
🔎 Is your dog certified to work in therapeutic environments?
🔎 Are you and your dog registered or affiliated with a professional governing body, such as Animal Therapies Ltd (ATL)?
🔎 How is the dog's welfare prioritised during and outside of sessions?
✅ Look for therapists who are certified, professionally trained, and committed to ethical practice through recognised organisations like ATL.
Remember:
✨ A dog in the room is beautiful.
✨ A trained AAT partnership is powerful, ethical, and fosters true healing in those we work with.
Let’s continue advocating for the safety, welfare, and dignity of both our clients and our animals. 🤍