1. Animal Assisted Therapy
Mari Evans, M.Ed, LPC, NCC, CSC, AAT-C
TWITR Project Lead
Texas Tech University Health Science Center
Private Practioner

2. Mari Evans, M.Ed, LPC, NCC, CSC, AAT-C
Amateur dog trainer/Foundation dog
Teacher with inclusion students/11 years
Petitioner/Advocate
Animals in the classroom/Documentation
School Counselor/eleven years
Certification and License
Animals in sessions
Integration of medical/behavioral science

3. Boudin and Jackson…Elvis?
ASCA Registered/AKC/TDIAOV
TDI Registered and Insured
Eleven/Two years experience
Bred and raised by Two or More Kennels
Breed Standard, Character and Temperament ---Physical Characteristics
Training
Socialization
Bidability/Eye

4. Definitions Animal-Assisted Activities
Goal directed guided activities that utilize the human/animal bond.
Therapeutic activities may or may not be facilitated by a credentialed therapist.
Animals and helpers must be screened and trained.
Animal-Assisted Therapy in Counseling-AAT-C
Goal directed guided interventions as an integral part of the treatment process.
Working animals and their handlers must be screened, trained and meet specific criteria.
A credentialed therapist sets goals, guides interventions, measures and evaluates the process.
AAT may be billed third party payors.----?

5. Technique/Theory
AAT is not a theory. The therapist operates from personal foundations to facilitate change in the client.
AAT may be used as a technique and it is through the client’s interactions with the animal that the therapist obtains information and then devises further goals or activities to enhance change.
AAT sessions may be individuals or groups
AAT relies on the therapist’s skill to design personalized interventions, meet treatment goals and assess the clients needs.
Standards for ethical practice include the rights of the animal including humane treatment and protections from undue stress.

6. How does animal assisted therapy work?
Rationale
How does animal assisted therapy work?

7. Emotional Safety
If the therapist has an animal with him/her, the environment and power structure have been changed. The therapist is perceived as more human and likeable. The animal’s presence can open a pathway through initial resistance. People have something to talk about that is safe and pleasant and may project feelings and experiences onto the animal.

8. Relationship
A client may not relate well to humans, but may relate to an animal. A client may feel unloved, unwanted and rejected by humans, or may be unable to express affection. An animal, used in a therapeutic situation can be a source of love and companionship and an object toward which a person can direct love and concern. A client may feel free to be themselves rather to perform in a socially acceptable manner.
A client may respond to a sense of unconditional positive regard from the animal.

9. Limit setting and consequences
A client can learn that there are limits within which he/she must behave with the animal, and thus the rest of the world. An animal’s behavior quickly shows a response to a client’s stimulus. The animal’s response can be generalized to people’s responses and the client’s feelings about the circumstances can be processed.

10. Attachment
Many mental health clients are isolated from people; an animal can offer an relationship less threatening than a relationship with people. Trust issues involving human interaction are not carried into animal/human interaction. Some clients will willingly and immediately open up to an animal with a trust level never experienced in human to human interaction.

11. Depression
Studies conducted using clients who were clinically depressed using the BDI showed significant improvement in animal assisted therapy compared with a control group.
The positive effects of pet facilitated therapy were not demonstrated when clients were shown only photographs of pets by the same trained volunteers with identical treatment goals.

12. Grief and Loss
Because the human/animal bond can be so powerful, the breaking of that attachment can be tremendously damaging. The first losses many clients experience are those of their pets, which remain primarily unresolved. Clients link up with an animal in the therapeutic environment and it frequently brings up tearfulness and feelings of loss and abandonment and leads to abreaction.

13. Reality orientation
An animal can act as a link between a client’s internal fantasies and external reality. The animal can connect the client to the here and now and make it an enjoyable experience.

14. Pleasure , Affection and Appropriate Touch
It is socially acceptable for men as well as women to touch, caress and hug an animal.
Touching an animal is client oriented and it is safe, non-threatening and pleasant.
The client may give and receive affection from an animal.
Clients may learn new ways of touching.
Clients that have been sexually abused feel safe and able to express appropriate affection to an animal.

15. Socialization
An animal is something safe to talk about. Animals can be a catalyst to social interaction, connections for interpersonal communication and attachment.
An animal can encourage socialization in four ways; between client and therapist, between clients, between clients and staff and between clients and family or visitors.

16. Play and Laughter
Clients often laugh while watching animals and they can learn how to play by watching and interacting with animals.
Object lessons about compassion and relationships can utilize the animal in personification, pretending and role play.

17. Anxiety
An animal can divert the client’s attention away from his/her internal anxiety, allowing the therapist to nurture alternative functional responses to anxiety. An animal can reduce a client’s discomfort, act as a distraction and shut out reactions to adverse stimuli.

18. Physiological Responses
Lower Blood Pressure
Lower Heart Rate
Reduce Stress Related Illnesses
Reduce Depression Symptoms
Reduce Anxiety Symptoms
Reduce Heart Disease Risks
Benefits begin between 5 and 24 minutes after the start of the interaction.
Dogs experience same physiological effects

19. Mental Health Applications
Reduces loneliness and isolation
Develops nurturing behaviors
Encourages adjustment
Increased social and verbal interactions
Preventative and therapeutic measures against everyday stress
Enhanced cognitive development in children
Encourages prosocial behaviors and less self-absorption

20. Assessment Facilitation
Initial Intake and Case Management
Behavior Management and Interventions
Denver Development
Psychological Evaluations
CHAT-Autism
Screenings for Depression, Mania, Psychosis, Anxiety, Etc.

21. Treatment Plan by Functional Domains Communication
Initiate Speech
Ask questions about, animal, the person’s own pet, their favorite animal, etc.
Have persons make introductions of self and animal to others.
Reminisce about past animals
Encourage use of questions
Model appropriate animal-related questions—”What would you need to do to complete this task? Feeding, grooming, etc.
Teach person the commands the animal knows.
Improve Descriptive Skills
Discuss the color, texture and length of animal’s fur.
Compare/contrast size of various animals or equipment
Imitate movements and sounds of animal

22. Functional Domain Cognition
Increase ability to organize
Sequencing activities---feeding,grooming,bathing, etc.
Person has to be able to follow certain steps to accomplish a task
Attention to task
Person becomes in charge of animal during session
Problem Solving
Forecast “what would happen if…”
Create an obstacle course or maze for animal
Develop a care plan

23. Functional Domain Psychological/Social
Increase Interaction
Play animal charades
Engage in cooperative play
Encourage Eye Contact/Verbalization
After you explain instructions for activity have person look at the animal and repeat instructions-then to you.
Increased Self Esteem and Confidence
Have client educate others about the animal.
Discuss animal handling with others
Increased group participation
Have each person tell an animal story
Circle animal and talk about appropriate care
Improve ability to express feelings
Interpret animal behavior
Project animal’s feelings
Improves Cooperation
Have several people work together to groom animal
Cooperative play with animal and a partner
Increase Feelings of Self Worth
Teach someone else the animal’s obedience commands
Learn About Appropriate Touch
Discuss animal’s feelings about different touches
Differences about “good” and “bad” touches

24. Sample of Treatment Options in AAT
Treatment Goals
AAT Techniques
Improve Socialization, Communication
Practice teaching animal something new
Engage in play with an animal
Reduce Isolation, Boredom, Loneliness
Improve Memory and Recall
Improve Reality Orientation
Improve Cooperation
Learn about and then assist in the care/grooming/feeding of an animal.
Reminisce about the past
Remember and repeat information about the animal
Introduce the animal to others
Give appropriate affection to animal
Brighten Affect and Mood
Improve Ability to Trust
Lessen Depression
Reduce Generalized Anxiety
Receive apparent acceptance from an animal
Spend time caring for an animal
Take animal for a walk
Give affection to animal
Address Grieving and Loss Issues
Improve Ability to Express Feelings
Talk about animals person has known
Talk about grief associated with loss of pet and the process of grieving.
Improve Self Esteem and Feelings of Self Worth
Provide Pleasure and Affection
Improve Concentration and Attention
Share relationship with animal with someone else
Receive affection from animal
Give appropriate affection to an animal
Develop a cooperative plan to accomplish something with an animal

25. Typical AAT Counseling Session
AAT, in individual counseling, can be used as a technique or adjunct tool during a typical individual or group counseling session. A nondirective therapist may introduce the therapy pet to the client and explain that petting or playing with the animal is a standing invitation. A directive therapist may build in a few minutes at the beginning or the end of the session and invite the client to interact with the animal with a specific goal in mind. Children in therapy may choose to interact with the animal by talking to it and personifying human characteristics on the animal, a safe object in which to project their feelings. An emotional dog will often sense discomfort or a need for reassurance from an individual and sit closer, rest their head on a knee, put their head on a lap or feet and offer physical contact.
AAT, in group counseling, can incorporate directive or nondirective therapeutic style depending on the therapist and/or the nature of the group and goals. Interventions may be specific and structured or simply have the pet in the room for voluntary client interaction. A unique aspect is that the facilitator can reflect how the pet enhances the formation of cohesion, role development, competition and potential dynamics in the group. An emotional dog will often go to the member in the most need at any given time and bolster confidence and support allowing the therapist to reinforce that need within the group.
The basic listening responses of a therapist of reflection, paraphrase, clarify and summarize can be enhanced as the therapist observes the reactions of their co-therapist, most dogs demonstrate a keen intuition in their relations with others.
The client’s interactions with and reactions to the pet can provide extremely useful information about the client’s emotional state, attitude and relational style and ability
There is no typical session and the mode of therapy depends on:
The therapist’s preferred style
The wants and needs of the client
The therapy animal’s abilities

26. How Do I Become a Animal Assisted Therapist?

27. The Right Animal Research breeds that interest you.
Find a reputable breeder/adoption center
Socialize----Socialize----Socialize
Training: Obedience, Canine Good Citizen, Therapy Dog
Facilities for Practice

28. Steps to Becoming A Therapy Dog
Dog must know basic obedience commands (sit, down, stay, heal, come). Dogs must have excellent temperament with people and other dogs. Dogs must be one year old.
Dogs must have current vaccinations and license. Dogs must have yearly physical.
Dogs must pass Canine Good Citizen and Temperament Test administered by certified Therapy Dog International evaluator.
Dogs will receive harness, nametag and yellow I.D. tag when working. Dogs must be well groomed and clean for all visits. TDI offers $1,000,000 of liability insurance for licensed dogs

29. AKC CGC TEST/TDI REQUIREMENTS
Accepting a Friendly Stranger
- This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation. The Evaluator and handler shake hands and exchange pleasantries. The dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness, and must not break position or try to go to the Evaluator.
Sitting Politely for Petting
- This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to touch it while it is out with its handler. The dog should sit at the handler’s side as the Evaluator approaches and begins to pet the dog on the head and the body only. The dog may stand in place to accept petting. The dog must not show shyness or resentment.

30. Appearance and Grooming
- This practical test demonstrates that the dog will welcome being groomed and examined and will permit a stranger, such as a veterinarian, groomer, or friend of the owner to do so. It also demonstrates the owner’s care, concern and sense of responsibility. The Evaluator inspects the dog, then combs or brushes the dg and lightly examines the ears and each front foot.
Out for a Walk (Walking on a loose leash)
- This test demonstrates that the handler is in control of the dog. The dog can be on either side of the handler, whichever the handler prefers. There must be a left turn, a right turn and an about turn, with a least one stop in between and another at the end.

31. Walking Through a Crowd
- This test demonstrates that the dog can move about politely in pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places. The dog must pass close to several people without appearing over exuberant, shy or resentful. The dog must not strain on the leash.
Sit and Down On Command/Staying in Place
- This test demonstrates that the dog has training, will respond to the handler’s commands to sit and down, and will remain in the place commanded by the handler. When instructed by the Evaluator, the handler tells the dog to stay and walks forward the length of a 20 foot line. The dog must remain in place.

32. Reaction to Another Dog
Coming When Called
- This test demonstrates that the dog will come when called by the handler. The handler will put the dog in a “stay” and walk 10 feet from the dog, turn and face the dog, and call the dog. The dog must come without hesitation.
Reaction to Another Dog
- This test demonstrates that the dog can behave politely around other dogs. Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about 10 yards, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and continue on for about 5 yards. The dogs should show no more than a casual interest in each other.

33. Reactions to Distractions
- This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with common distracting situations, such as the dropping of a large book or a jogger running in front of the dog. The dog may express a natural interest and curiosity and appear slightly startled, but should not panic, try to run away, show aggressiveness or bark.
Reaction to Medical Equipment
- The dog should be tested around medical equipment (such as wheelchair, crutches, cane, walker, or other devices which would ordinarily be found in a facility) to judge the dog’s reaction to common health care equipment.

34. Acclimation To Infirmities
Leave It
- The handler with the dog on a loose lead walks past food on the ground (placed within a distance of three feet) and, upon command, the dog should ignore the food.
Acclimation To Infirmities
- This test demonstrates the dog’s confidence when exposed to people walking with an uneven gait, shuffling, breathing heavily, coughing, wheezing or other distractions which may be encountered in a facility.

35. Dogs are tested on a buckle collar only!
Supervised Separation
- This test demonstrates that a dog can be left with a trusted person, if necessary, and will maintain its training and good manners. Evaluators are encouraged to say something like, “Would you like me to watch your dog?” and then take hold of the dog’s leash. The owner will go out of sight for three minutes. The dog must not show nervousness or agitation.
Say Hello
- The TDI Certified Evaluator will test the willingness of each dog to visit a person and that the dog is willing for petting and can be easily reached.
Dogs are tested on a buckle collar only!

36. Contact Information
Mari Evans
3417 F.M. 597
Abernathy, Texas
Work Phone:
Cell Phone: