The Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy: How Animals Help Improve Health and Well-Being

Published on: July 20, 2022

Animal-assisted therapy, also known as animal-assisted interventions or AAT therapy, is gaining recognition across healthcare, education and community support services. Incorporating trained animals into treatment plans, professionals are finding new ways to reduce stress, relieve emotional discomfort and improve quality of life for people of all ages.  

If you've ever wondered what animal-assisted therapy is and how it can support well-being, read on to explore how it works and the wide range of benefits it offers. 

What Is Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT)? 

Animal-assisted therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses trained animals in treatment plans to enhance physical, emotional and social well-being. Unlike service animals or emotional support animals, therapy animals assist multiple people in various settings under professional guidance. Documented since the late 18th century at the York Retreat in England, the practice has grown in healthcare and education due to its proven benefits.  

How Does Animal-Assisted Therapy Work? 

AAT involves structured interactions between trained animals and individuals to achieve specific therapeutic goals. These sessions are guided by professionals and tailored to patient needs. For instance:  

• In hospitals, therapy animals may visit to alleviate stress and promote healing. 

• Schools use AAT to support students with emotional or behavioral challenges as well as enhance focus and social skills.  
• Rehabilitation centers use animal interactions to motivate patients during physical therapy, in turn aiding recovery and improving morale. 

Types of Animal-Assisted Therapy 

Depending on the setting and therapeutic goals, animal-assisted therapy can take numerous forms. Common types include working with dogs, horses, small pets and farm animals to support people of all ages. 

Canine-Assisted Therapy 

Canine-assisted therapy uses trained dogs to support individuals with physical, emotional or cognitive challenges. These dogs offer comfort, reduce anxiety and promote social interaction in hospitals, schools and rehab centers, helping patients engage more fully in therapy. 

Equine-Assisted Therapy 

Equine-assisted therapy uses horses to support emotional growth and physical rehabilitation. Activities such as grooming, leading or riding can help improve balance, confidence, and emotional regulation. This therapy is especially beneficial for individuals with anxiety, dementia, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).  

Therapy With Small Animals 

Therapy with small animals like guinea pigs and rabbits offers a gentle, accessible form of animal-assisted therapy. Their calm nature and size make them ideal for schools, nursing homes and rehab centers as they help reduce anxiety while boosting social engagement and emotional well-being.  

Farm Animal-Assisted Therapy 

Farm animal-assisted therapy incorporates animals like cows, goats and chickens to provide emotional support through structured tasks. Activities like feeding and grooming can boost coping skills, self-efficacy and mental health, particularly for individuals with psychiatric conditions.  

Who Can Benefit From Animal-Assisted Therapy? 

Animal-assisted therapy benefits people of all ages and needs — from children with ADHD to older adults with dementia — offering emotional support, physical rehabilitation and stronger social connection across various care settings.  

Individuals With Mental Health Conditions 

AAT supports those with mental health conditions by easing anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) through lower cortisol and higher oxytocin levels. The nonjudgmental environment promotes openness and helps build effective coping strategies. 

Children and Adolescents 

Animal-assisted therapy provides children and adolescents with emotional support, plus reduces anxiety and enhances social skills. Interacting with therapy animals can help young individuals develop empathy, communication skills and confidence. This approach is particularly beneficial for those with developmental disorders because it offers a nonjudgmental and engaging therapeutic experience. 

Older Adults 

Animal-assisted therapy offers older adults emotional support. It can also reduce loneliness and elevate cognitive function. Regular interaction with therapy animals may alleviate depression and improve social engagement, particularly in individuals with dementia or those residing in long-term care facilities. 

Patients in Medical or Rehabilitation Settings 

Patients often show greater engagement and faster progress when therapy animals are part of their treatment, making them a valuable complement to care. Thus, in medical and rehab settings, AAT can:  

• Provide emotional support. 

• Reduce stress. 

• Boost motivation during recovery. 

• Lower pain perception. 

• Ease anxiety. 

• Improve heart health.  

• Support physical rehabilitation, including balance and coordination. 

Students and Individuals in High-Stress Environments 

Animal-assisted therapy programs in educational settings have been shown to enhance overall well-being among students by reducing stress and anxiety. Beneficial for individuals in high-stress environments such as schools and workplaces, interactions with therapy animals can elevate mood and decrease physiological stress responses. 

Families and Group Therapy Participants 

In family and group counseling, AAT can help foster trust, improve communication and reduce tension. Therapy animals create a calm space that encourages open, collaborative engagement and promotes emotional connection among participants. 

Key Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy 

Clearly, animal-assisted therapy supports both emotional and physical outcomes for people of all ages. Here are some more specific advantages of including animals in treatment:  

Emotional Comfort and Companionship 

Animal-assisted therapy provides emotional comfort and companionship, helping individuals feel less isolated and more supported. The calming presence of animals can ease emotional distress and create a sense of connection during treatment or recovery. 

Reduced Stress and Anxiety 

Interacting with therapy animals has been shown to lower stress hormones and reduce anxiety. This calming effect supports emotional stability and helps individuals feel more at ease during medical treatments or therapy sessions.  

Increased Social Interaction 

AAT encourages social interaction by creating a shared point of focus. Individuals often feel more comfortable engaging with others when animals are present — which can improve communication and reduce feelings of isolation.  

Improved Physical Activity and Motivation 

Animal-assisted therapy can boost physical activity by encouraging movement through walking, grooming or playing with animals. These interactions also enhance motivation by helping patients engage more actively in rehabilitation or exercise-based treatments. 

Potential Risks and Ethical Considerations 

While the benefits of animal-assisted therapy are well-documented, it's crucial to acknowledge potential risks and ethical considerations as well. Most notably, therapy animals must be properly trained and monitored to prevent stress or harm. Therapists should ensure informed consent, screen for allergies and maintain hygiene standards to safeguard both clients and animals. 

The danger of poor sanitation can be an issue in hospitals. To combat this, hospitals and institutions have strict protocols to ensure their patients are not put at undue risk due to the presence of therapy animals. 

In addition, any animal, no matter how well trained, can be unpredictable if it becomes scared or distressed. While you cannot ever completely eliminate the risk of an animal harming or biting a patient, in reality, the training they receive paired with the skill of therapy animal handlers renders this risk rather small.  

How to Become an Animal-Assisted Therapist 

To enter the field and become an animal-assisted therapist, individuals typically pursue a degree in psychology, social work or a related field, along with specialized training in AAT therapy. Certification programs teach proper animal handling, therapy techniques and ethical standards.   

Job requirements as well as the animal therapist salary can vary greatly depending on the location, type of employer and more. However, as of 2024, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that recreational therapists (which includes AAT therapy and the animal therapist salary) may make a median wage of $60,280.  

FAQs 

What is animal-assisted therapy? Below are answers to some of the most common questions people have about how animal-assisted therapy works, who it helps and what to expect from sessions. 

What animals are best for therapy? 

Dogs are the most frequently used animals in pet therapy — but horses, rabbits, guinea pigs and even farm animals can be effective, too, depending on the goals of the AAT therapy program.  

Is animal-assisted therapy covered by insurance? 

Standard health insurance plans in the United States do not typically cover animal-assisted therapy. However, select insurers are beginning to include pet therapy as a complementary healthcare option.  

Who qualifies for animal-assisted therapy? 

Eligibility for animal-assisted therapy depends on individual needs and goals. It’s often recommended for those with mental health conditions, developmental disorders, dementia or high stress. Healthcare providers assess each case to determine if AAT is appropriate and beneficial. 

What training do therapy animals go through? 

Therapy animals complete specialized training in obedience, socialization and diverse environments to ensure they’re calm and responsive. Programs like the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen test are common, and groups like Pet Partners certify both animal and handler. Ongoing health checks and vaccinations are also required. 

How long is a typical animal-assisted therapy session? 

A typical animal-assisted therapy session lasts 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the therapeutic setting and individual needs. Shorter sessions of about 20 minutes have been shown to yield significant benefits in outpatient environments. Longer sessions, around 50 minutes, are common in structured counseling formats.  

Earn Your Degree in Animal-Assisted Therapy at Husson 

Animal-assisted therapy continues to grow as a trusted approach to improving mental, emotional and physical health for people of all ages. From dogs to farm animals, AAT therapy provides meaningful support across healthcare, education and community settings.   

Interested in turning your passion for helping others into a career? Explore the Bachelor of Science in Animal-Assisted Therapy at Husson University, which covers how to leverage domestic animals to improve human lives. Request more information to learn how this type of rewarding work could provide a promising path forward for compassionate animal-lovers.

Get Your Animal-Assisted Therapy Degree