What does an animal-assisted therapist do?

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What is an Animal-Assisted Therapist?

An animal-assisted therapist uses specially trained animals as part of a therapeutic process to help people improve their mental, emotional, or physical well-being. These therapists work with animals such as dogs, horses, cats, or even small animals like rabbits to create a comforting and supportive environment for clients. The presence of an animal can help reduce stress, encourage communication, and motivate participation in therapy sessions.

Animal-assisted therapists often work with individuals of all ages, including children, adults, and seniors, and may support people dealing with conditions like anxiety, depression, trauma, or physical disabilities. The animals act as partners in the therapy, helping clients feel more relaxed and open, while the therapist guides the session to meet specific treatment goals. This approach can be used in settings such as counseling offices, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, or nursing homes.

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What does an Animal-Assisted Therapist do?

An animal-assisted therapist working with a therapy dog and a child within a hospital setting.

Duties and Responsibilities
Animal-assisted therapists combine traditional therapeutic techniques with the use of trained animals to support clients’ mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Common duties and responsibilities include:

  • Planning Therapy Sessions: Develop structured session plans that integrate animal interaction, selecting activities suited to each client’s therapeutic goals, such as building confidence, reducing anxiety, or improving motor skills.
  • Working with Trained Animals: Partner with animals that have been specially trained for therapy, ensuring they remain calm, responsive, and well-behaved throughout each interaction.
  • Assessing Client Needs: Conduct evaluations to understand a client’s physical, emotional, or psychological challenges, and determine how animal-assisted therapy can enhance their treatment.
  • Facilitating Interaction: Supervise and guide purposeful activities—such as grooming, feeding, walking, or playing—that encourage positive connections between the client and the animal.
  • Monitoring Progress: Keep detailed records of client responses and improvements, adjusting the therapy plan over time to ensure it continues meeting their needs effectively.
  • Maintaining Animal Welfare: Provide ongoing care for therapy animals, including feeding, grooming, exercise, rest periods, and regular veterinary visits to ensure their health and safety.
  • Collaborating with Other Professionals: Work closely with healthcare providers, mental health specialists, educators, or rehabilitation staff to coordinate care and integrate animal-assisted therapy into broader treatment plans.
  • Educating Clients and Families: Teach clients and their families how to safely and respectfully interact with therapy animals, both to protect the animals and to maximize the therapeutic benefits.

Types of Animal-Assisted Therapists
Animal-assisted therapy can take many forms depending on the type of animals used and the specific needs of clients. Therapists may specialize in certain animals, therapy approaches, or client populations to provide the most effective support. Common types include:

  • Equine-Assisted Therapists: Use horses in therapy, often called equine-assisted therapy or hippotherapy, to support physical therapy, emotional growth, confidence building, and social skills.
  • Canine-Assisted Therapists: Work with trained dogs to help clients improve emotional regulation, reduce anxiety, or support physical rehabilitation through activities like walking, grooming, or guided play.
  • Feline-Assisted Therapists: Incorporate cats into therapy sessions, providing comfort, stress relief, and opportunities for clients to practice gentle interaction and empathy.
  • Small Animal Therapists: Use rabbits, guinea pigs, or other small animals to engage clients, especially children or those with limited mobility, in calming and interactive activities.
  • Bird-Assisted Therapists: Work with birds like parrots or finches to encourage social interaction, cognitive engagement, or emotional support, often in group therapy settings.
  • Specialized Multi-Animal Therapists: Combine different types of therapy animals depending on client needs, using the strengths of each species to achieve a broader range of therapeutic goals.

Are you suited to be an animal-assisted therapist?

Animal- assisted therapists have distinct personalities. They tend to be social individuals, which means they’re kind, generous, cooperative, patient, caring, helpful, empathetic, tactful, and friendly. They excel at socializing, helping others, and teaching. Some of them are also investigative, meaning they’re intellectual, introspective, and inquisitive.

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What is the workplace of an Animal-Assisted Therapist like?

The workplace of an animal-assisted therapist can vary depending on the type of therapy, the clients being served, and the animals involved. Many therapists work in clinical settings such as counseling offices, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, or schools. These spaces are designed to be safe, calm, and welcoming for both clients and therapy animals, often including areas for guided activities like walking, grooming, or play.

Some animal-assisted therapists also work in community or outdoor settings, such as farms, equine centers, or nursing home gardens. In these environments, therapy animals like horses or small animals can move more freely, allowing clients to engage in activities that support physical, emotional, and social development. The spaces are carefully monitored to ensure safety for both the clients and the animals.

Animal-assisted therapists must also manage the well-being of the animals during sessions, providing breaks, water, and rest periods as needed. They often carry supplies like treats, leashes, or grooming tools and maintain records of each session.

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Animal- Assisted Therapists are also known as:
Animal Assisted Therapist