A well written chronological account of the history of AAT(animal assisted therapy)is offered by Chandler (2005), Fine (2000) and others. To afford the reader basic information on AAT, important markers of history and research are highlighted in this section. Historical accounts of animals contributing to the wellbeing of people date back to the 1600s, including John Locke’s discussion of the use of small animals to help cultivate empathy and responsibility in children (Fine, 2000). While anecdotal accounts noting the benefits of the human animal bond to promote well being have exponentially outweighed academic research, information from front-line practitioners have increasingly inspired the practice of integrating animals into therapy (Taylor, 2001). Many other accounts beyond Locke’s descriptions are recorded in the literature.
In 1792, for example, a Quaker retreat in England described using farm animals to treat mental health patients (Baun & McCabe, 2000) in an effort to reduce the need foisolation and restraints. Baun and McCabe explained documentation over the next 100 years revealed mental health institutions, such as Bethel, a treatment centre for patients with epilepsy, included pet animals in their work with patients. However with the emergence of psychotropic drugs on the medical scene the involvement of animals disappeared from the literature (Urichuk & Anderson, 2003) until the 1940s, when James Bossard (as cited in Fine, 2000) noted the positive physical and emotional effects of owning a dog. At that time, Fine explained the U.S. military began using animals in their work with veterans at a convalescent hospital in 1942. In the 1960s, Boris Levinson coined the term pet therapist to refer to his dog, Jingles, who participated in his therapeutic work (Levinson, 1964). This term marked the emergence of interest by
researchers and practitioners in the psychological effects of human and animal interaction, and highlighted the critical shift to regard animals as a partner in therapy rather than a tool to be exploited (Zamir, 2006).
Alan Beck, director of the Center for Applied Ethology and Human
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Interaction at the Veterinarian Centre at Purdue University, and Aaron Katcher, a psychiatrist and instructor at the University of Pennsylvania, have also greatly contributed to the development of public and professional understanding of the human-animal bond. In 1983, Beck and Katcher suggested animals could promote physical and mental health, offer companionship and even provide therapy; the second edition of their book in 1996 included research to help support their contention that human-animal relationships are not only necessary but can easily be integrated into psychological work with people (Beck & Katcher, 1996).
Significant growth in the field was evident in the 1990s, providing a strong foundation for AAT. As recognition and interest has unfolded, the description of how animals are
included in therapy with people has proven to be broad and sometimes unclear, leaving both professionals and the public confused by the terminology.
Lay Terms in Animal Therapy
The terms in Animal therapy vary tremendously and are often used interchangeably in literature and on websites. Although recent literature is attempting to employ terms in a more consistent manner (Chandler, 2005), it is prudent for the professional to go beyond the terminology and understand the way in which an animal is integrated into practice. This section will familiarize the reader with the most frequently used terms in AAT, including:therapy, animal-assisted activities (AAA), animal-assisted therapy (AAT), pet therapy, and animal-assisted therapy/counselling (AAT/C)
(Animal-Assisted Therapy; Mary Louise Cole; B.Ed., Dip. Ed. Psych., University of Calgary. 1986)
Jennifer Schaeff Counselling Services 