Sigmund Freud kept many dogs and often had his chow Jofi present during his pioneering sessions of psychoanalysis. He noticed that the presence of the dog was helpful because the patient would find that their speech would not shock or disturb the dog and this reassured them and so encouraged them to relax and confide. This was most effective when the patient was a child or adolescent. The theory behind AAT is what is known as Attachment theory.
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Animal Assisted Therapy at its most basic, means including animals in therapeutic work with clients. Animals promote human well-being in many ways, so with the incorporation of animals in the therapeutic process clients are better able to develop their social skills; gain understanding regarding their peer and family dynamics; strengthen their attachments; understand and therefore improve their behaviour; regulate their mood; and manage their anxiety.
Children also can receive positive benefits from Animal Assisted therapy in the class setting. Frieson (2010) conducted a study with children and therapy dogs in a class room setting and found that the animals provide a social and emotional support system for the child, with assumptions that because the animal seems non-judgmental to the child, it is perceived as comforting, raises the child's self-esteem and makes it easier for the child to express themselves. |