June 17, 2024
Last updated on October 8th, 2026 at 12:12 pm
Animal-assisted interventions (AAI) encompass a diverse array of activities integrating animals into therapy and education. From animal-assisted therapy (AAT) to educational sessions (AAE) and interactive activities (AAA), these interventions aim to foster human wellness with the support of trained handlers or volunteer teams.
Through AAI, various animals—companion pets, wildlife, and farm animals—are harnessed to achieve specific therapeutic or educational objectives. Each animal type brings unique advantages, contributing to the effectiveness and versatility of these interventions in promoting well-being.
What are Animal-Assisted Interventions?
Animal-assisted interventions are a broad range of activities that involve animals in the therapeutic or educational process. This can include animal-assisted therapy, education (AAE), and activities (AAA). These interventions are designed to improve human well-being and can be facilitated by a professional handler or a volunteer team.
- Animal-assisted therapy (AAT): This is a goal-directed intervention where a handler works with a therapy animal to assist others. The animal may be part of a volunteer therapy animal team or it may belong to the professional.
- Animal-assisted education (AAE): AAE involves the use of animals in educational settings to enhance learning and stimulate cognitive development.
- Animal-assisted activities (AAA): These are casual interactions with animals that can provide therapeutic benefits such as stress relief and emotional comfort.
What types of animals are used in Animal-Assisted Interventions?
In AAI, a variety of animals can be used depending on the specific goals of the intervention. This can include companion animals, wildlife, and farm animals. Each type of animal brings unique benefits to the intervention.
- Companion animals: Also known as pets, these animals live with humans and can improve the quality of life for both the animal and the human.
- Wildlife: Humans can observe wildlife, rather than physically interact with it, to gain therapeutic benefits.
- Farm animals: Farm animals can take an active role in AAI, providing unique opportunities for interaction and engagement.
What are the benefits of Animal-Assisted Interventions?
AAI can offer a wide range of benefits, including lowering anxiety, providing comfort, reducing loneliness, increasing mental stimulation, and even physiological benefits such as reduction in blood pressure and increase in endorphins.
- Lowering anxiety and helping people relax: The presence of animals can have a calming effect, reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation.
- Providing comfort: Animals can provide emotional comfort and companionship, helping to alleviate feelings of loneliness or isolation.
- Increasing mental stimulation: Interacting with animals can stimulate cognitive function and promote mental engagement.
How does Animal-Assisted Intervention improve traditional therapy and educational activities?
AAI can enhance traditional therapy and educational activities by providing a unique and engaging way to achieve therapeutic or educational goals. The presence of animals can stimulate engagement, promote relaxation, and provide comfort, enhancing the effectiveness of traditional methods.
- Enhanced engagement: The presence of animals can stimulate interest and engagement in therapeutic or educational activities.
- Promotion of relaxation: Animals can have a calming effect, promoting relaxation and reducing stress during therapy or educational activities.
- Providing comfort: Animals can provide emotional comfort, enhancing the therapeutic or educational experience. A luxury rehab facility that allows pets is often considered the ultimate luxury environment for rehabilitation.
What is the role of the handler in Animal-Assisted Interventions?
The handler plays a crucial role in AAI. They are responsible for the welfare of the animal and ensuring the safety and comfort of all participants. The handler may be a professional or a volunteer, and they work closely with the animal to facilitate the intervention.
- Animal welfare: The handler is responsible for the care and welfare of the animal involved in the intervention.
- Safety and comfort: The handler ensures the safety and comfort of all participants, including the animal and the individuals receiving the intervention.
- Facilitating the intervention: The handler works closely with the animal to facilitate the intervention, guiding the animal’s interactions with participants.
Britney Elyse, LMFT, is an experienced mental health professional and clinical leader with more than 15 years of experience in behavioral health, addiction treatment, and recovery services. She currently serves as Director of Compliance & Clinical Services at Carrara Treatment, Wellness & Spa, where she oversees the clinical team, treatment programming, staff development, documentation standards, and coordination of care with physicians and psychiatric providers.
Throughout her career, Britney has held leadership and clinical roles at respected treatment programs including Cliffside Malibu, Cast Recovery, The Hills Treatment Center, and Tarzana Treatment Centers. Her experience encompasses individual and family therapy, clinical assessment, treatment planning, case management, utilization review, and the development of trauma-focused programming.
Britney’s therapeutic background includes trauma-informed care, Somatic Experiencing, DBT, relapse prevention, family therapy, and stages-of-change interventions. She is passionate about creating thoughtful, individualized treatment plans while supporting clients and their families throughout the recovery process.
Britney earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Antioch University and has pursued advanced training in Somatic Experiencing Therapy. Her approach combines compassionate client care with strong clinical leadership and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of treatment.
Credentials: MA, LMFT. California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist 90937 (Board of Behavioral Sciences). MA, Antioch University. Member, CAMFT.
