Emerging Technology in Animal Therapy

Published on: July 9, 2025

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has evolved far beyond the traditional image of therapy dogs visiting hospitals and nursing homes. Today's practitioners are integrating cutting-edge technology to enhance treatment outcomes, improve patient health monitoring and expand access to therapeutic interventions. From biometric sensors that track stress responses during therapy sessions to virtual reality environments that simulate animal interactions for patients who cannot access live animals, technology is transforming how we understand and deliver animal-assisted interventions. These innovations are creating new opportunities for therapists to measure therapeutic progress more precisely, customize treatments to individual needs and reach populations previously underserved by traditional approaches.  

As the field continues to advance, professionals trained in both animal behavior and emerging technologies will be essential to maximize the potential of these therapeutic partnerships. The intersection of technology and animal therapy represents not just an evolution in treatment methods but rather a fundamental shift toward more personalized, data-driven and accessible mental health care. 

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Tele-AAT: Bringing Animal Therapy to Remote Clients 

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth services across all therapeutic disciplines, and animal-assisted therapy was no exception. Tele-AAT combines video conferencing technology with the presence of therapy animals to deliver interventions to clients who cannot physically visit treatment facilities. This approach has proven particularly useful for individuals with mobility limitations, in rural areas with limited access to certified therapy animals and who feel more comfortable receiving treatment in their own homes. The technology enables therapists to observe client-animal interactions in real time while maintaining the personal connection that makes animal-assisted therapy so effective. 

What Is Tele-Animal-Assisted Therapy? 

Tele-animal-assisted therapy represents a hybrid approach where mental health professionals conduct therapy sessions via video conferencing while incorporating animals into the treatment process. This can involve therapists having their certified therapy animals present during virtual sessions, clients interacting with their own pets under therapeutic guidance or a combination of both approaches. The therapist provides real-time direction and observation while the animal serves as a bridge to help clients express emotions, reduce anxiety and develop coping strategies. 

Benefits and Challenges 

Tele-AAT entails benefits like increased accessibility, reduced client stress and the ability to involve clients' own pets — thus providing insights into home interactions. However, challenges include technical issues, ensuring animal welfare, evolving regulatory standards and adapting assessment techniques without direct observation. 

Benefits: 

• Increased access for remote or underserved areas – Rural communities and areas with limited mental health resources can now access specialized animal-assisted therapy services that were previously unavailable. This geographic flexibility means clients no longer need to travel long distances to receive treatment, making therapy more feasible for those in isolated locations.  

• More flexible scheduling – Virtual sessions eliminate travel time for both clients and therapists, clearing the way for more appointment slots throughout the day. This flexibility particularly benefits working professionals, parents with young children and individuals with unpredictable schedules who might otherwise struggle to attend regular in-person sessions. 

• Safe alternative during health crises – Tele-AAT provides continuity of care when physical distancing requirements or quarantine measures make in-person therapy impossible. This approach proved invaluable during the pandemic in helping vulnerable populations maintain their therapeutic relationships without risking exposure to illness. 

Challenges: 

• Limits on physical interactions – The tactile benefits of petting, grooming or walking with therapy animals are significantly reduced through virtual sessions. Physical touch plays a pivotal part in reducing cortisol levels and promoting emotional regulation, so this limitation is a significant consideration for treatment planning. 

• Technology access barriers for some clients – Not all clients have reliable internet connections, appropriate devices or the digital literacy skills necessary for effective virtual sessions. This digital divide can inadvertently exclude the very populations that might benefit most from increased access to animal-assisted therapy services. 

• Requires tech training for therapists – Mental health professionals must develop new competencies in video conferencing platforms, troubleshooting technical issues and adapting their therapeutic techniques for virtual environments. This learning curve requires time and resources that may not be readily available to all practitioners in the field. 

Virtual Reality (VR) and Animal Therapy 

Virtual reality technology is opening new frontiers in animal-assisted therapy by creating immersive environments where clients can interact with digital animals when live animals are not available or appropriate. Digital tools such as virtual reality platforms and wearable sensors are revolutionizing how therapists design, deliver and monitor animal-assisted interventions. VR-based animal therapy has shown particular promise in pediatric settings, where it significantly reduced the "just noticeable" pressure pain sensitivity of children in both age groups during medical procedures. This technology helps therapists create controlled, consistent experiences that can be tailored to individual client needs and repeated as necessary to support therapeutic progress. 

Using VR to Simulate Animal Interactions 

VR animal therapy programs render realistic digital environments where clients can pet, feed, play with and care for virtual animals through specialized headsets and controllers. These simulations can encompass a wide range of animal species and environments, from domestic pets in home settings to exotic animals in natural habitats. The technology allows clients to experience the calming presence of animals without concerns about allergies, phobias or animal welfare issues. 

Benefits and Limitations of VR in AAT 

VR in animal therapy programs offers accessibility for those unable to interact with live animals due to medical reasons, allergies or institutional rules. It also provides environmental control — empowering therapists to create specific scenarios and avoid unpredictable animal behaviors. However, VR lacks the genuine warmth, texture and spontaneous behaviors of real animals crucial for the therapeutic bond. Potential side effects include simulator sickness (e.g., nausea or dizziness), and equipment costs can be prohibitive for many practices. Below, we further outline the benefits and limitations of VR animal therapy programs: 

Benefits: 

• Safe, controlled environment – VR eliminates risks associated with live animal interactions, including unpredictable behaviors, allergic reactions and potential injuries. Therapists can create standardized experiences that ensure consistent outcomes while maintaining complete control over the therapeutic setting, making it especially valuable for vulnerable populations like children or individuals with compromised immune systems. 

• Can simulate difficult scenarios for desensitization therapy – Virtual environments can help therapists gradually expose clients to challenging situations involving animals, such as fear-based phobias or trauma-related responses. Clients can practice coping strategies in a safe space before transitioning to real-world animal interactions — with the ability to pause, restart or modify scenarios as needed for optimal therapeutic progress. 

• Potential for gamified therapeutic exercises – VR platforms can incorporate game-like elements such as achievement badges, progress tracking and interactive challenges that increase client engagement and motivation. These gamified approaches make therapy sessions more enjoyable while providing measurable data on client progress and skill development. 

Limitations: 

• May not replace the emotional impact of real animals – The deep emotional bonds and genuine connections that develop between humans and live animals cannot be fully replicated through virtual experiences. The absence of real warmth, breathing, heartbeat and spontaneous affection may limit the therapeutic effectiveness for clients who specifically benefit from authentic animal companionship and unconditional acceptance. 

• High equipment costs – VR systems require significant initial investment in headsets, controllers, software licenses and ongoing technical support. Many therapeutic practices and healthcare facilities may find these costs prohibitive, particularly when considering the need for regular equipment updates and maintenance to ensure optimal performance and safety standards. 

Wearable Technology in Animal-Assisted Therapy 

In animal-assisted therapy, wearable technology can provide continuous, real-time health monitoring of both clients and therapy animals during treatment sessions. These devices collect data on various health metrics, in turn offering unprecedented insights into the therapeutic process. For instance, research has shown that a wearable mobile solution with kinematic sensors for human and dog monitoring can provide quantification of therapy effectiveness during walking sessions. This technology enables therapists to make data-driven decisions about treatment modifications, plus ensures the well-being of both participants throughout the therapeutic intervention. 

Monitoring Clients and Therapy Animals 

Wearable devices in animal-assisted therapy typically include sensors that track physiological and behavioral indicators for both humans and animals. For clients, these may include heart rate monitors, stress detection sensors and activity trackers that measure engagement levels during therapy sessions. For therapy animals, wearable technology for animals includes devices like collars, harnesses and implants equipped with sensors that collect data on health metrics including activity levels, heart rate, temperature and GPS location. Advanced systems can combine electrocardiogram (ECG), photoplethysmogram (PPG) and inertial measurement units (IMU) to remotely and continuously monitor the vital signs of dogs — supporting their well-being throughout therapeutic interactions. 

Benefits of Wearable Tech in AAT 

• Real-time data for therapists – Wearable devices provide continuous streams of physiological data that permit therapists to monitor client progress and animal welfare instantaneously during sessions. This immediate feedback helps practitioners identify stress responses, measure therapeutic effectiveness and adjust interventions in real time to optimize outcomes for both clients and therapy animals. 

• Enhanced safety for both clients and animals – Continuous monitoring systems can detect early warning signs of distress, fatigue or health issues in both participants before they become problematic. To help prevent potential safety incidents during therapy sessions, automated alerts can notify therapists when heart rates exceed safe thresholds or when behavioral patterns indicate the need for intervention. 

• Improved personalization of therapy plans – The wealth of data collected through wearable tech in animal-assisted interventions allows therapists to create highly individualized treatment protocols tailored to each client's specific physiological responses and each animal's unique behavioral patterns. This personalized approach leads to more effective interventions and better long-term outcomes by tailoring therapy intensity, duration and activities to match optimal response patterns for each unique client-animal pairing. 

How Technology Is Shaping Animal-Assisted Therapy 

Technology is transforming animal-assisted therapy into a data-driven, evidence-based field. Telehealth, virtual reality and wearable devices are expanding access and providing insights into their effectiveness. These advances strengthen the human-animal bond while enabling precise interventions and measurable results. As technology evolves, animal-assisted therapy will become more accessible, effective and scientifically grounded. 

Prepare for the Future of Animal-Assisted Therapy at Husson University 

The rapid evolution of digital tools and technology in animal-assisted therapy yields exciting opportunities for the next generation of practitioners — but it also demands comprehensive training that bridges traditional therapeutic techniques with cutting-edge innovations.  

At Husson University, our Bachelor of Science in Animal-Assisted Therapy program prepares students to excel in this technology-enhanced landscape by combining hands-on experience with therapy animals and comprehensive training in emerging therapeutic technologies. The curriculum blends applied animal care with training in advanced therapeutic techniques and tech in animal-assisted interventions, ensuring students are fully prepared for the evolving demands of the field. 

Ready to become part of the technological revolution in animal-assisted therapy? Explore Husson University's innovative degree program and discover how you can make a meaningful impact in this realm. 

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