Understanding the Therapeutic Roles of Animals in Trauma Recovery
Janet Hoy | September 10 | 9:00 -10:00 AM | Room 2591
Social, emotional, physical, and psychological human benefits of human-animal interaction are well-documented. Within this presentation, these human-animal interaction benefits are reviewed and the roles through which companion animals can help convey these benefits and help facilitate trauma recovery are delineated.
Specifically, the following roles are defined and differentiated between:
- companion animals
- emotional support pets
- service animals
- animal-assisted activities
- animal-assisted therapy
For each role designation, the types of client trauma recovery-related needs that can be met are explicated, as well as pathways through which clients may be able to access such companion animal supports.
Objectives:
- Attendees will be able to identify at least three potential benefits of the human-animal bond for individuals who interact with companion animals.
- Attendees will be able to define and differentiate between the following designations: "companion animal" ; "service dog" ; "emotional support pet" ; "animal assisted activities" ; and "animal assisted therapy"
- Attendees will be able to identify and differentiate which kinds of lcient needs could be met by each of the different companion animal role designations.