The last article \u201cWorking with Animals in Practice\u201d provided an overview of the important ethical considerations for including animals in professional practice. These considerations apply to including animals into any workspace or public setting where the animal and people can be negatively impacted if the practice is not informed or thoughtfully prepared.<\/p>\n
This article will provide details on the terminology in animal assisted practices. The first point mentioned in the last article was: Understanding the many terms in the field to determine where your particular practice, skills and knowledge might fit. <\/strong><\/em>This information can also be helpful for you to discern any training you or your animal partner may need to work in your particular domain.<\/p>\n Working with animals therapeutically has many names and is done in many different ways. As the field is not yet standardized in Canada, it can be confusing trying to understand all the different kinds of animal-related work and what you might need to practice effectively. Other places in North America and the world have been incorporating animals into healing and learning practices for far longer than here in Canada and as a result, there are some commonly agreed-upon terms including:<\/p>\n \u201c<\/em>(AAIs) are therapeutic processes that intentionally include or involve (certified) animals as part of the therapeutic process.<\/em> Animal-Assisted Therapy<\/em><\/a>, Animal-Assisted Activities, and <\/em>service animals<\/em><\/a> are some examples of animal assisted interventions.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Fine (2006)<\/p>\n AAI is an umbrella term for all aspects of involving animals to facilitate or enhance human health and learning. Every other term for working with animals to help people in any capacity falls under this term.<\/p>\n \u201cAAT is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal that meets specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process. AAT is directed and\/or delivered by a health\/human service professional with specialized training and expertise in AAT and within the scope of practice of his\/her profession.” –<\/em>Pet Partners<\/p>\n \u00a0Key Features of AAT<\/strong><\/p>\n Examples of Goals of AAT Programs:<\/strong><\/p>\n The following are some examples of AAT goals:<\/p>\n AAE\/L incorporates animals into the learning environment.\u00a0 The certified, trained animal in educational settings is either the subject of the lesson plan to facilitate the learning or is included to enhance the environment for learning to take place.<\/p>\n \u00a0Key Features of AAE\/L<\/strong><\/p>\n Examples of AAE\/L<\/strong><\/p>\n “AAA provides opportunities for motivational, educational, recreational, and\/or therapeutic benefits to enhance quality of life. AAA are delivered in a variety of environments by specially trained professionals, paraprofessionals, and\/or volunteers, in association with animals that meet specific criteria.” <\/em>Pet Partners<\/p>\n What does this mean?<\/strong> Key Features of AAA<\/strong><\/p>\n Examples of AAA:<\/strong><\/p>\n “AAC) gives\u2026trained professionals an additional means with which to help people affected by crisis. AACR teams can be used to establish rapport, build therapeutic bridges, normalize the experience, and act as \u2026 a catalyst for physical movement.” <\/em>Greenbaum, S.D. (2006).<\/p>\n What does this mean?<\/strong> \u00a0Key Features of AACR<\/strong><\/p>\nAnimal Assisted Interventions (AAIs)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Animal Assisted Education and\/or Learning (AAE\/L)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Animal Assisted Activities (AAA)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nAAA are basically the casual “meet and greet” activities that involve animals visiting people. There are not typically any particular or measurable goals and the \u201cvisit\u201d does not have to be carried out by a qualified professional. This is often referred to as \u201cPet Visitation.\u201d The term \u201cPet Therapy\u201d is outdated. The animal is certified for this work.<\/p>\n\n
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Animal Assisted Crisis Response (AACR)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nAACR involves professionals trained both in crisis response and AACR. They work alongside certified therapy animals to relieve stress and build bridges between them and the people they are attempting to help.<\/p>\n\n
Example of AACR:<\/strong><\/h3>\n