Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT)

Definition: When animals are used in goal directed treatment sessions.

These goals can be physical, mental, emotional and/or social.

​

We currently offer AAT to any interested family and incorporate the use of AAT into your child's larger Therapy Plan of Care at no added cost. 

FAQ's related to AAT

What are the benefits of AAT with children?

Helps children build confidence
Enhances children’s empathy and care-giving
Provides children with the experience of unconditional acceptance
Helps facilitate healthy attachment relationships
Reduces children’s fears and anxieties
Strengthens children’s sense of emotional/physical safety
Helps teach children appropriate behaviors with both animals and people

​

What is the difference between a service animal and a therapy animal?

Service Dogs are legally defined  by the Americans With Disabilities Act. They are specifically trained to meet the needs of their handlers who have disabilities. Federal laws protect the rights of individuals with disabilities to be accompanied by their service dogs in public places. Service dogs are not considered ‘pets’, but rather work to benefit the person with a disability.

​

Therapy Dogs are not legally defined by federal laws. They provide people an opportunity to interact with dogs, but are not limited to working with people who have disabilities. They are usually the personal pets of their handlers, and work with their handlers to provide services to others.