Careers With Assisted Animal Therapy

Animal-assisted therapy is a program of rehabilitation or healing that uses an animal to reach the treatment goals. According to the Delta Society, some of these goals may include: improving balance or fine motor skills, reduce anxiety, improve self-esteem and increase verbal and social interactions. Dogs and horses are commonly used therapy animals, although other animals such as cats are also used.

Animal Trainer

The animal trainer is responsible for ensuring that the therapy animals are safe to work with patients. It is important that the therapy animals learn to be patient and tolerant so that they are able to help the patient throughout the session.

Veterinarian

Some facilities may have a veterinarian on staff rather than using an independent practitioner. The veterinarian is responsible for maintaining the health of the animals and treating any injuries or diseases that may affect the therapy animals.

Animal Handler

According to Intermountain Therapy Animal, most animal handlers are volunteers; some paid positions may be available, however. The animal handler manages the animal during sessions with the patient. In addition, handlers may be needed to care for the animal outside of treatment sessions and may include feeding and cleaning the animal.

Therapist

The goal of animal-assisted therapy is to treat the patient with the use of an animal. The goals of this treatment may be physical, emotional or behavioral, so many types of therapists may use animal-assisted therapy in their treatments. Examples of therapists include: physical therapist; occupational therapist, psychologist and speech therapist.

References

• Intermountain Therapy Animals
• Delta Society: AAT

Resources

• Equine Therapy
• Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy