Anyone who has a pet likely understands the potential healing power of animals. Returning home to a faithful companion can bring us immense joy, but as National Institute of Health (NIH) research suggests, the role of pets goes beyond friendship and adventure, for example, with pet therapy, more formally known as animal-assisted therapy (AAT).
Over 10 years of researching the relationship between people and animals, the NIH shares that pets as therapy can:
- decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone)
- lower blood pressure
- reduce loneliness
- increase feelings of social support
- boost your mood
While human-animal interaction is a relatively new field of study, substantial research suggests that it can have positive health outcomes. For example, according to research by Martin et al. (2021), pet therapy has the potential to reduce depression.
In this post, we’ll discuss some of the ways that pet-assisted therapy or AAT can assist both adults and children, how this works, practical examples, ethical considerations and how you can learn more.
The difference between pet companionship and animal-assisted therapy (AAT)
Human beings have had pets for millennia, which means that most people understand the emotional, social and safety benefits of owning a dog. However, there is a difference between pet companionship and animal-assisted therapy (AAT).
Pet companionship is a key aspect of owning any kind of pet, providing unconditional love and joy. A systematic research review by Brooks (2018) confirms that pet companionship is beneficial for those who have mental health struggles, which is evident in the use of emotional support animals.
AAT, on the other hand, involves structured interactions with animals, facilitated by a trained professional, which we will expand on further in this post. As defined by Dixon et al. (2025), AAT:
“…incorporates specially selected and trained animals into goal-directed therapeutic/intervention plans that are designed to promote improvement in physical, cognitive, psychosocial, behavioral [sic], and/or emotional functioning.”
Animals in therapeutic settings
Dogs and horses are common choices for AAT, such as through canine-assisted therapy and equine-assisted therapy. However, as the NIH states, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, but many studies support the fact that pet-assisted therapy is beneficial, for example:
- Owning a dog can help people who are looking to exercise more.
- Stroking a cat or observing fish has been linked to a greater sense of calmness and stress reduction.
- Adolescents with diabetes who looked after fish also checked their glucose levels more regularly (which contributed to maintaining their health).
- Children with ADHD learnt to focus their attention by reading to dogs.
- Children with autism showed improved social interactions and peer engagement after participating in a supervised play session with guinea pigs in the classroom.
In a South African context, the Underdog Project works to bring together disadvantaged youth and shelter dogs, helping people learn valuable soft skills through training and socialisation. By teaching greater kindness and empathy towards animals, this interaction empowers both humans and the animals themselves.
Ethical, practical, and professional considerations
While animal interactions can be positive, there are many ethical, practical and professional aspects to consider, including:
- Client consent: AAT involves obtaining informed consent and ensuring that participants are able and willing to interact with an animal.
- Safety: Children and adults must receive education on safety when working with animals, such as understanding boundaries (and avoiding being kicked or bitten).
- Animal welfare: Animals in AAT require adequate training and care, and also need to be certified.
- Health: While animals may have a positive impact on mental health, they can also exacerbate existing physical issues, such as allergies. The effect on animal health also needs to be considered, for example, exposing animals like dogs to germs in hospital settings (and vice versa).
Psychological benefits
According to a research review by Pandey et al. (2024), AAT shows promise in promoting wellbeing in people from various backgrounds. Many years of shared evolutionary history between humans and dogs have demonstrated that these animals are particularly effective in AAT, as they can develop strong bonds with people and form attached relationships (similar to those between an infant and its caregiver).
In particular, Pandey et al.’s research shows that canine-assisted therapy can have minor to moderate effects in treating psychiatric and neurological disorders, and it also shows potential in specific medical interventions.
Emerging fields
AAT is still an emerging field and is likely to continue developing as more research continues. For example, there is scope for emotional animals in educational contexts. According to Grové et al. (2021), there is preliminary evidence to suggest that canine-assisted therapy can help improve children’s wellbeing in various settings. However, schools and other institutions must establish proper guidelines before implementing a programme.
Ecotherapy is another area where AAT can integrate. Ecotherapy is the practice of immersing oneself in nature. Therefore, interacting with animals in a natural setting could have even greater benefits for enhancing wellbeing and mental health.
The role of practitioner training
While it’s clear that working with animals provides many opportunities for healing, it’s important to emphasise that AAT cannot take place effectively without trained facilitators. If you’d like to learn more about how to integrate animal interactions with therapy, take a look at the Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy workshop offered by SACAP Global
The online workshop is for anyone interested in learning about animal therapy and animal-assisted psychotherapy. Mental health professionals who complete the workshop will gain theoretical and practical knowledge to integrate animals into therapy in an ethical manner. Some of the workshop topics include:
- Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs)
- Models of integration
- Evidence bases
- Moral concerns
- Cultural relevance (especially within the South African context).
For further information on this topic, read our blog post: Paws for Thought: The benefits of animal-assisted therapy.
FAQ:
1. What's the difference between a pet and a therapy animal?
A pet is an animal that can coexist with humans and provide emotional and other support. A therapy animal is part of a therapeutic relationship, facilitated by a trained mental health professional.
2. What exactly is Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT)?
Animal-assisted Therapy (AAT) is a therapeutic approach that utilises an animal, typically a dog, to enhance the therapeutic relationship between a client and a trained mental health professional.
3. What kinds of animals are used in psychological therapy?
The most common therapy animals are dogs and horses, which are utilised in canine-assisted therapy and equine-assisted therapy, respectively.
4. How are therapy animals integated into different therapeutic approaches?
According to Dixon et al. (2025), animals “…offer therapeutic benefits through their natural presence and the space this creates for personal reflection, projection and learning.”
5. What are some psychological benefits of animal-assisted interventions?
The psychological benefits of animal-assisted interventions include a reduction in stress and anxiety, an improved mood, decreased loneliness, and increased feelings of social support.
6. Are there risks or limitations to using animals in therapy?
Working with animals in any setting comes with risks and limitations. To mitigate these risks, it’s essential to ensure that potential clients are interested in working with animals, that the animals are properly trained and cared for, and that clients are working with a trained facilitator.
7. How do practitioners ensure animal-assisted therapy is ethical?
Practitioners can ensure that AAT is ethical by conforming to regulatory requirements and ensuring they have received adequate training. They also need to communicate the risks and limitations of working with animals, as well as ensure that the animals are well-trained and adequately cared for.
8. What frameworks guide the integration of animals into therapy?
There is no single unified framework for AAT, but according to Kruger et al. (2006), it does “…draw from an impressive variety of disciplines and perspectives (e.g., genetics, biology, developmental psychology, psychoanalytic theory, behaviorism).”
9. Can animal therapy be culturally relevant in South Africa?
Animal therapy can be culturally relevant in South Africa; however, as in other contexts, cultural sensitivity is necessary to facilitate effective therapeutic interactions.
10. What does the current research say about animal-assisted therapy?
The current research indicates that AAT has the potential to treat a range of ailments, and there have been promising studies that support its use in specific therapeutic areas. However, as an emerging field, more research is needed.
