ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY

DEFINITION
Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is goal oriented, documented, and supervised by health care and education professionals.

AAT is designed to promote improvement in human physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning. AAT is provided in a variety of settings and may be group or individual in nature.

CONN. HUMANE SOCIETY – PET FACILITATED THERAPY PROGRAM
Volunteers bring various pets to visit people in a variety of therapeutic settings including nursing homes, group homes, mental health progams, and youth programs. Volunteers are not required to use their own pets. Volunteers are welcome with their pet if the pet passes a temperament test and training sessions. This program requires volunteers to be at least 18 years old (or be accompanied by a parent), have both medical and auto insurance, have a valid dirver's license, provide own transportation to scheduled visits, be available to attend visits during the weekdays between 10am-4pm, conduct at least two visits per month, participate for a minimum of six months, serve people with various health and behavioral concerns, and attend a minimum of two training visits prior to going out on their own.

TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:

Search by service name: Pet Assisted Therapy

----------

SOURCE: Conn. Humane Society
PREPARED BY: 211/lb
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: September2007