Animal-Assisted Therapy: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Animal-Assisted Therapy is a specialized field that equips health and human service professionals with the knowledge and skills to strategically incorporate animals into therapeutic interventions. This approach leverages the deep emotional and physiological connections between humans and animals to support individuals facing mental health challenges, developmental delays, or physical disabilities. The program emphasizes evidence-based practices that enhance treatment outcomes through compassionate, interdisciplinary collaboration.

• Psychology: Core principles of human behavior, cognitive processes, and emotional development as they apply to therapeutic contexts.
• Psychology of Disabilities: In-depth study of psychological factors influencing individuals with physical, sensory, or cognitive impairments, including adaptation, resilience, and quality of life.
• Animal Behavior: Scientific understanding of species-specific behaviors, stress indicators, and communication patterns in companion animals used in therapy.
• Animal Training: Techniques for developing reliable, safe, and responsive behaviors in therapy animals through positive reinforcement and ethical training standards.
• Human-Animal Bond: Exploration of the psychological, emotional, and physiological benefits derived from human-animal interactions and their role in healing.
• Integration into Therapeutic Settings: Practical strategies for designing, implementing, and evaluating animal-assisted activities within clinical, educational, and rehabilitative environments.
• Ethical and Cultural Issues: Critical examination of professional responsibilities, animal welfare, client consent, and cultural sensitivity in diverse therapeutic applications.