AAA/AAT are both therapeutic in nature, but have key differences.

What are Animal- Assisted Activities (AAA)?

Animal-Assisted Activities are “basically the casual ‘meet and greet’ activities that involve pets visiting people. These activities can be repeated with many people, and are not necessarily tailored to fit a particular person’s needs or medical condition”.  (Per The Delta Society)

Key Features of AAA:

• Specific treatment goals not neccesarily planned for each visit.
• Volunteers and Treatment Providers not required to take detailed case notes.
• Visit content is spontaneous, motivating, and entertaining.
• Visits last as long or as short as needed.

What is Animal- Assisted Therapy (AAT)?

Animal Assisted Therapy is “designed to promote improvement in physical, social, emotional, and cognitive functioning.  This process is documented and evaluated.” (Per the Delta Society)

Key Features of AAT:

• Goal-directed.
• Provided by a Health/Human Services Professional within their specific area of expertise.
• Established with client/patient to create rapport and build ongoing connection.
• Incorporated and documented into treatment plan.
• Progress is measured.
• Specifically tailored to fit needs of the individual client/patient

What are Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI)?

• Animal-Assisted Interventions is a general term, referring to both Animal-Assisted Activities and Animal-Assisted Therapy.

What are the common Benefits/Goals of AAA/AAT?

• Establishes Rapport
• Improves socialization and communication
• Brightens affect and mood
• Lessens depression
• Addresses grief/loss issues
• Reduces abusive behavior
• Improves ability to trust
• Improves concentration, and attention
• Increases engagement
• Improves self-esteem, self-worth
• Learn boundary-setting
• Improves expression of feelings
• Learn about acceptance, nurturance, and relationship building
• Learn about empathy
• Outward focus, bringing client outside of self
• Increases participation in therapy