Animal Assisted Therapy

The involvement of animals in human treatment programs is called animal-assisted therapy (AAT). Animals can provide a positive therapeutic or health effect. AAT has been used in a variety of treatment settings including with trauma survivors, the elderly, and children with autism and mental disabilities.

The field of AAT was proactive in its infancy and realized the importance of developing standards of practice. They developed the Standards of Practice for Animal-Assisted Activities & Therapy (Delta Society 1996).

The Animal Assistance Foundation seeks to support and enhance the ethical standards and protocols involved with animal-assisted therapy. We promote such standards to our grantees and always ask how they care for their animals.

Examples of grants made to support Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) programs:

The Urban Farm, Denver
The Urban Farm provides inner city children, especially those with unstable family backgrounds, with the opportunity to relate to animals, especially farm animals. As they state, "the loss of life-protecting relationships with a horse or a dog that in the past have helped many a troubled youth through a difficult time" results in decisions about the treatment of animals that are detrimental to the animals. Each year, about 3,000 children are reached. Their grant will fund a five-year business plan.

CBR Youth Connect, La Junta
CBR Youth Connect works with troubled youth and provides them with the opportunity to develop their personal character, gain social skills, and receive benefits from specially designed programs and interactions with animals and humans. Successful animal therapy programs are a hallmark of CBR. In collaboration with Freedom Service Dogs, CBR Youth Connect has established a program where youth work with dogs being accepted into the service dog program and teach them basic skills. Through this work, the youth develop relationships with the dogs and the other kids. (Read more in Grantee Stories)

Dream Catcher Therapy Center, Olathe
Dream Catcher Therapy Center is a program for children and adults who have physical and mental health challenges. Therapy is provided by licensed physical therapists through the use of horses. End of the Trail Mission is part of the program. Unwanted horses are cared for at the center and education programs are provided to the community on proper care and treatment. These horses may be used in the therapy program, placed in new homes, or live out their lives at the center.