The purpose of this article is to explore the use, value, and applicability of animal-assisted therapy in psychology. The case study method was applied to a therapeutic case, using the interpretivist paradigm. Data were analyzed by means of document analysis. The findings are discussed according to five themes derived from the study, namely, “facilitating relationship building,” “enabling communication by working indirectly,” “experiencing physical affection through the therapy dog,” “socialization skills,” and “enhanced self-esteem.” We report that the deliberate inclusion of an animal in therapy facilitates relationship building and therefore aids the therapeutic alliance, as well as enhances an individual’s socialization skills and self-esteem.
DenzinN. K.LincolnY. S. (Eds.). (2005). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research (3rd ed.). Los Angeles, CA: SAGE.
7.
De VosA. S.StrydomH.FouchéC. B.DelportC. S. L. (2005). Research at grass roots: For the social sciences and human service profession (3rd ed.). Pretoria, South Africa: Van Schaik.
8.
FineA. H. (2006). Incorporating animal-assisted therapy into psychotherapy: Guidelines and suggestions for therapists. In FineA. H. (Ed.), The handbook of animal assisted therapy (pp. 167–206). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
9.
FriedmannE.TsaiC.-C. (2006). The animal-human bond: Health and wellness. In FineA. (Ed.), Animal-assisted therapy: Theoretical foundations and practice guidelines (2nd ed., pp. 95–117). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
10.
FriesenL. (2010). Exploring animal-assisted programs with children in school and therapeutic contexts. Early Childhood Education Journal, 37, 261–267.
HettemaE. (2002). Animal-assisted therapy: What is it? (Unpublished master’s thesis). University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
13.
JalangoR. M.AstorinoT.BomboyN. (2004). Canine visitors: The influence of therapy dogs on young children’s learning and well-being in classrooms and hospitals. Early Childhood Education, 32, 9–16.
14.
KaminskiM.PellinoT.WishJ. (2002). Play and pets: The physical and emotional impact of child-life and pet therapy on hospitalized children. Children’s Health Care, 31, 321–335.
15.
KrugerK. A.SerpellJ. A. (2006). Animal-assisted interventions in mental health: Definitions and theoretical foundations. In FineA. H. (Ed.), The handbook of animal assisted therapy (pp. 21–38). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
NimerJ.LundahlB. (2007). Animal-assisted therapy: A meta-analysis. Anthrozoös, 20, 225–238.
18.
OdendaalJ. (2002). Pets and our mental health: The why, the what and the how. New York, NY: Vantage Press.
19.
PunchK. F. (2005). Introduction to social research: Quantitative and qualitative approaches (2nd ed.). London, England: SAGE.
20.
ReichertE. (1998). Individual counselling for sexually abused children: A role for animals and storytelling. Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal, 15, 177–185.
21.
SchaiferC. (Ed.). (1999). Innovative psychotherapy techniques in child and adolescent therapy (2nd ed.). New York, NY: John Wiley.
22.
ShilohS.SorekG.TerkelJ. (2003). Reduction of state-anxiety by petting animals in a controlled laboratory experiment. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, 16, 387–395.
23.
TedeschiP.FitchettJ.MolidorC. E. (2006). The incorporation of animal-assisted interventions in social work education. Journal of Family Social Work, 9, 59–77.
24.
UrichukL. J.AndersonD. (2003). Improving mental health through animal-assisted therapy. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: The Chimo Project.
