horses must have a gentle, tolerant temperament, be well balanced and well mus-
cled, and move with even strides. In addition to the familiar dogs and cats in pet
therapy, other animals may include parrots, cockatoos, guinea pigs, rabbits, pot-
bellied pigs, dwarf goats, llamas, donkeys, and horses.
Animal handler volunteers are trained in workshops or through home study courses.
The handlers must pass a written test and their animals must pass a skills test.
Participation in continuing education is required. Nurses, physical and occupational
therapists, psychotherapists, and other health care professionals must receive train-
ing to direct animal-assisted therapy programs. This educational process is still in
the beginning stages, and at this time is primarily accomplished through in-service
training, and seminars and workshops at national and international professional
meetings.
Twelve countries, including the United States, offer formalized educational programs
for registration, certification, or licensure of therapists. These programs have inter-
mittent sessions, which may span one to two years. Most frequently this specialized
training is offered to physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychotherapists,
and special education teachers.
What’s the Idea Behind Animal-Assisted Therapy?
The characteristics that make many pets cherished family members—unconditional
affection, responsiveness, and companionability—also make pets effective in ther-
apy. Animal-assisted therapy brings pets into a healing context in a way that’s safe
and effective for both patient and pet.
Companion Animals: Part of the Family
Many people think of their animals as surrogate children, with one big exception:
These are children who rarely, if ever, disappoint their parents. Pets, especially dogs,
often seem to understand what their owners are feeling. For some people, a pet is a
reason to get up in the morning. It is something to nurture, touch, and stroke. For
stress relief, it apparently does not matter much whether the pet is a Labrador, a cat,
or a canary. What is most important is the person’s relationship with the pet.
The contributions companion animals make to the emotional well-being of people
include providing unconditional love and opportunities for affection; functioning as
a confidant, playmate, and companion; and assisting in the achievement of trust,
responsibility, and empathy toward others. Studies of children with pets indicate that
the unconditional love and acceptance conveyed in the child-animal relationship
may validate a child’s sense of self-worth. In addition, older school-age children
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