The human health benefits derived from relationships with companion animals has attracted an abundance of scientific interest and research. However, there is a need for theoretical conceptualizations in order to understand the healing benefits of human-animal interactions. The goal of this book is to seek these answers and the OC howOCO and OC whyOCO companion animals play a role in counseling and psychology. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with three psychologists who use animals in their therapy settings. The focus of these interviews was to determine the experiences of having a companion animal present during therapy sessions. The results revealed that pets in therapy: (1) enhanced the therapeutic alliance/relationship, (2) revived the therapeutic environment, (3) improved professional practice, and (4) created a sense of sacredness. The therapy animals seemed to provide the trust and safety needed for clients to work within the transitional space and that the animals may act as transitional objects for some clients. This book suggests that therapy animals are extremely helpful in providing a sense of safety for traumatized clients and could act as catalysts, especially with defensive and/or detached clients. Unique features include: discussion of the domestication of companion animals; research into the human-animal bond; social and psychological support theory; descriptions of methods used; object relations theory and Winnicott's Concepts; implications for the practice of counseling and psychology; professional and ethical considerations; and suggestions for future research. Replete with informative appendices that will serve as valuable knowledge, this book is a significant resource on the subject of animal-assisted therapy for mental health professionals such as counselors, clinical social workers, psychologists, and skilled therapists"

There have been dramatic increases in the financial, emotional, and psychological investment in pets over the past four decades. The increasing importance of animal companions in people's lives has resulted in growing emphasis on the human-animal bond within academic literature. This book introduces practicing and emerging professionals to vital subject matter concerning this growing specialty area by providing an essential framework and information through which to consider the unique contextual backdrop of the human-animal bond. Such contexts include a wide array of themes including: issues of attachment and loss, success and frustration with making and sustaining connections, world views regarding animal ethics, familial history of neglect or abuse, and cultural dynamics that speak to the order of things between mankind and nature. Adopting a contextual stance will aid mental health professionals in appreciating why and how this connection has become a significant part of everyday life for many. As with any other important clinical dynamic, training and preparation are needed to gain competence for professional practice and research. To this end, an ensemble of international experts across the fields of psychology and mental health explore topics that will help both new and established clinicians increase and understanding of the various ways the human-animal bond manifests itself. Perspectives from beyond the scope of psychology and mental health such as anthropology, philosophy, literature, religion, and history are included to provide a sampling of the significant contexts in which the human-animal bond is established. What brings these divergent topics together in a meaningful way is their relevance and centrality to the contextual bonds that underlie the human-animal connection. This text will be a valuable resource that provides opportunities to deepen one's expertise in understanding the psychology of the human-animal bond.

Exactly how do animals affect the quality of life of their human companions? The 7th International Conference on Animals, Health, and Quality of Life set out to explore this question. A major result of this quest was Companion Animals in Human Health, a careful selection of jurored and invited papers from that conference. The articles in this volume address Human Animal Interaction (HAI) according to the elements that define quality of life: physical, mental, emotional, and social health; functional health; and general well-being. Beginning with an overview of human/animal interaction from historical and value perspectives, the authors develop a conceptual framework for HAI research and quality of life measurement. They then go on to explore the psychosocial and physiological impact of HAI. The concluding sections address the role of companion animals in human development and the training and welfare of animals in therapeutic programs. As a state-of-the-science document, Companion Animals in Human Health is a must-read for all health and social science professionals caring for clients who already have companion animals or for clients who might benefit from such interaction. Thus it will be of interest to those in the fields of clinical psychology, cognition, developmental psychology, family studies, gerontology, nursing, patient care, psychology, public health, and sociology.

Animal Assisted Therapy in Counseling is the most comprehensive book available dedicated to training mental health practitioners in Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT). It explains the history and practice of AAT in counseling, discusses the latest empirical research, and provides an in-depth explanation of the psychodynamics of AAT within various theoretical frameworks. Readers will learn the proper way to select, train, and evaluate an animal for therapy. The use of a number of different therapy animals is considered, including dogs, cats, horses, birds, farm animals, rabbits and other small animals, and dolphins. Guidelines for implementing AAT in settings such as private practices, community agencies, schools, hospices, and prisons are covered, as well as ethical and legal considerations, risk management, diversity issues, and crisis and disaster response applications. Numerous case examples illustrate the use of AAT principles with clients, and forms, client handouts, and other resources provide valuable tools. This unique resource is an indispensable guide for any counselor looking to develop and implement AAT techniques in his or her practice.

The original edition was the first book to provide a comprehensive overview of the ways in which animals can assist therapists with treatment of specific populations, and/or in specific settings. The second edition continues in this vein, with 7 new chapters plus substantial revisions of continuing chapters as the research in this field has grown. New coverage includes: Animals as social supports, Use of AAT with Special Needs students, the role of animals in the family- insights for clinicians, and measuring the animal-person bond. - Contributions from veterinarians, animal trainers, psychologists, and social workers - Includes guidelines and best practices for using animals as therapeutic companions - Addresses specific types of patients and environmental situations

The integration of animals into the therapy setting by psychotherapists has been a growing trend. Psychological problems treated include emotional and behavioral problems, attachment issues, trauma, and developmental disorders. An influential 1970s survey suggests that over 20 percent of therapists in the psychotherapy division of the American Psychological Association incorporated animals into their treatment in some fashion. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the number is much higher today. Since Yeshiva University psychologist Boris Levinson popularized the involvement of animals in psychotherapy in the 1960s, Israel has come to be perhaps the most advanced country in the world in the area of animal-assisted psychotherapy (AAP). This is true especially in the areas of academic training programs, theory-building, and clinical practice. Great effort has been put into understanding the mechanisms behind AAP, as well as into developing ethical guidelines that take into account the therapist's responsibility toward both client and animal. This book exposes the world to the theory and practice of AAP as conceived and used in Israel. It emphasizes evidence-based and clinically sound applications with psychotherapeutic goals, as differentiated from other animal-assisted interventions, such as AAE (animal-assisted education) and AAA (animal-assisted activities), which may have education or skills-oriented goals. Not just anyone with a dog can call him-or herself an animal-assisted therapist. This volume demonstrates not only the promise of animal-assisted psychotherapeutic approaches, but also some of the challenges the field still needs to overcome to gain widespread legitimacy.

"Boris Levinson was the first professionally trained clinician to formally introduce and document the way that companion animals could hasten the development of a rapport between therapist and patient, thereby increasing the likelihood of patient motivation. The original edition of this fascinating book was the first work to document "pet-oriented psychotherapy." That text is reproduced here in its original form; furthermore, in order to update and revise the text, footnotes have been added to identify and highlight research and practices which have occurred since the book was first published in 1969. Also, a list of resources now appears in the appendix. This classic work has universal appeal, from human service practitioners, health and mental health practitioners, to educators in social work, psychology, nursing, veterinary medicine and counseling."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors has been established for over twenty years and their experience and understanding of this new, and developing, science of ethology is the basis of the book. Experienced animal behaviour counsellors provide the most up-to-date account of the science of animal psychology for all pet owners, while providing a practical approach for all veterinarians who treat small animals. Dogs, cats and rabbits are the animals most commonly treated for behavioural problems and the book focuses on the problems that affect these companion animals. Exploring the psychology of a pet's relationship with its owner, and with each other, leading writers from Sarah Heath and Anne McBride to Inga MacKellar identify the problems all vets will be asked about and provide practical solutions to them. Bringing together a variety of expert opinions and the most up-to-date research The APBC Book of Companion Animal Behaviour will help resolve a cat's anti-social behaviour and explain why a dog acts like its wild wolf ancestors. Groundbreaking essays on problem behaviour look at how learning and emotions governs animal behaviour while outlining the best way to understand: The foundations of canine behaviour How pets and children interact Behaviour problems in domestic rabbits Rage Syndrome in dogs Problems specific to ageing pets. This guide compiles the insights and experience of authors at the forefront of this expanding science to provide expert and professional perspectives that will enhance the relationship between a pet and its owner. Pet behavior, whether dogs, cats or rabbits, is affected by their ethology (the science of animal behavior) while it is also important to understand how learning and emotional response can govern their actions. Animal experts propose solutions to problem behavior in ground-breaking essays, as well as providing guidance on the relationship between pets and children (including the arrival of a new baby), "rage" syndrome in dogs, how to rehabilitate rescue dogs and cats, plus advice on legal and welfare issues. The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors has been established for almost thirty years to study why pets act as they do. The APBC's experience and understanding of this new, and developing, science of ethology is the basis for this book. Experienced animal behaviour counsellors provide the most up-to-date account of the science of animal psychology in the relationship between a pet and its owner, while providing a practical approach for veterinarians who treat small animals. Dogs, cats and rabbits are the animals most commonly treated for behavioural problems and the book focuses on the problems that affect these companion animals. Exploring the psychology of a pet's relationship with its owner, and with each other, leading writers from Julie Bedford and Anne McBride to Inga MacKellar identify the problems all vets will be asked about and provide practical solutions to them. Groundbreaking essays on problem behaviour look at how learning and emotional response governs animal behaviour while outlining the best way to understand: The foundations of canine behaviour, How pets and children interact, How to rehabilitate rescue dogs and cats, Rage Syndrome in dogs Bringing together a variety of expert opinions and the most up-to-date research The APBC Book of Companion Animal Behaviour will help resolve a cat's anti-social behaviour and explain why a dog acts like its wild wolf ancestors.