Animal assisted therapy (AAT) as defined by the Pet Partners, formerly known as Delta Society, is a ‘goal-directed intervention in which an animal that meets specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process’ (Kruger, Trachtenberg & Serpell 2004). It involves specifically trained animals and professionals working as co-therapists (Pet Partners, 2012). The European Society for Animal A
ssisted Therapy (ESAAT) defines it as a ‘deliberately planned pedagogy, psychological and socially integrative interventions with animals for children, youths, adults and senior citizens with cognitive, social-emotional and motor disabilities, behavioural problems and for focused support. It also includes health-promoting, prevention and rehabilitative measures’ (ESAAT 2011). The use of animals in promoting and improving the life of humans has been around for a long time, yet the complementary healing modality is not widely integrated into mainstream education and healthcare. Animals and humans have co-existed in therapeutic relationships with each other for more than 12,000 years (Serpell 2000). Records demonstrate that animals were used in different roles from companions to therapy for persons suffering from epilepsy, mental disorder, terminal illness and anxiety/stress disorder. Animal-assisted therapy is designed to promote improvement in human physical, social, emotional and/or cognitive function (Fine, 2000)
