Animal-Assisted Therapy

(Hardback)

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Description

This comprehensive overview of the many types of animal-assisted therapy provides the perfect reference for students, general readers, pet owners, animal care specialists, psychologists, occupational and physical therapists, and mental health professionals. The use of animals for therapy is a burgeoning form of treatment for individuals with physical, emotional, or psychological illnesses. Written for students and general readers, Animal-Assisted Therapy offers a historical overview of the practice, detailing its growth and the many ways it is practiced today. Filled with illustrative examples, such as successful programs where children with reading problems read aloud to canine companions, the book illuminates the expansive nature and effectiveness of this therapy as it is practiced both generally and among special populations, including children, the elderly, autistic individuals, and the incarcerated. The book also provides specific information that will be of interest to pet owners who want to get involved in these programs and includes information on U.S. government requirements allowing guide dogs in public and private facilities.

Reviews

This entry in the Health and Medical Issues Today series covers a topic of growing interest: the use of animals as part of the treatment for individuals with physical, emotional, or psychological illnesses. . . . Recommended for undergraduate libraries and any library where there is an interest in the topic. * Booklist *
Overall it offers a good overview of the background issues associated with and populations involved with AAT. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs. Recommended. * Choice *
Well-sourced and researched, this title is an excellent reference for anyone new to or curious about the topic. * Library Journal *

Author Bio

Donald Altschiller is a librarian at Mugar Memorial Library at Boston University, Boston, MA. He has written several reference books, including ABC-CLIO's Hate Crimes: A Reference Handbook.