Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is one type of Animal Assisted Intervention, which involves incorporating animals into the treatment process. Additionally, there are commonly known Animal Assisted Activities/Visits (AAA) and Animal Assisted Education (AAE) that integrate educational elements.
AAT involves incorporating animals that meet specified criteria into customized treatment plans for the service recipients. Through interactions between living beings and activities designed by therapists, individuals receiving the services can grow. Practitioners of Animal Assisted Therapy must hold professional qualifications (registration/certification) and undergo additional training in animal-assisted therapy. AAT can blend various therapeutic approaches, such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, and psychological therapy. (HKAATA, 2013)
Animal Assisted Therapy has been implemented for many years in foreign countries, and numerous studies have shown that interacting with animals can effectively stimulate the production of “happy hormones” in the body, such as Endorphins and Dopamine. Both of these hormones can induce feelings of pleasure, excitement, relaxation, and emotional well-being. Another hormone, Oxytocin, which is released during interactions, influences people’s motivation for social bonding, feelings of engagement and trust, and also affects the sensation of “love.” Through these interactions, not only do individuals experience an increase in their “happy hormones,” but the animals, like dogs, also derive a similar sense of fulfillment, making it a mutually beneficial interaction.
However, AAT is not solely about animal interaction; it involves utilizing animals in specific therapeutic modalities (such as psychological therapy, physical therapy, and training) to achieve more profound and long-lasting therapeutic effects.
AAT has a wide range of applications and is suitable for various service recipients, including children with autism, hyperactive children, children experiencing anxiety or emotional difficulties, individuals with physical disabilities, patients with mental illness, individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder, victims of sexual or domestic abuse, individuals undergoing substance abuse treatment, prisoners, elderly individuals, and those with conditions such as dementia.
