Documentation of animals supporting sick individuals dates to the 1790s. Animal assisted therapy isn't a recent innovation — its professional development accelerated from the 1950s onward.
What Is Animal Assisted Therapy?
The field encompasses Animal-Associated Activities (AAA), with different aims: educational, social, therapeutic and recreational. These interventions rely on a triangular relationship involving a trained professional, a prepared animal and a recipient. The animal acts as a mediating partner, strengthening connections and expanding the possibilities of support.
The professional's background — educator, psychologist, doctor or occupational therapist — determines specific intervention goals. Personalised support projects guide all interventions, developed collaboratively with beneficiaries, families and multidisciplinary teams. This practice requires specialist expertise and cannot be improvised.
What Is It For?
Practitioners design activities targeting cognitive, physical, psychosocial and emotional development. Support areas are categorised as cognitive, sensori-motor, social or psycho-affective.
Who Benefits?
The practice serves all people — children, teenagers, adults and the elderly — in situations of disability, dependency, physical or psychological suffering.
Which Animals Participate?
Selected animals must undergo training and evaluation. Commonly used species include equines, dogs, cats and other pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs and birds. Their gentleness and non-judgmental nature facilitate emotional connection.
