According to The American Humane Association:

What are Animal-Assisted Activities and Animal-Assisted Therapy?

Animal-assisted activities (AAA) provide opportunities for motivational, educational and/or recreational benefits to enhance a person’s quality of life. AAA are delivered by professionals, para-professionals or volunteers who demonstrate knowledge about animals and the human populations with which they interact. As an example of AAA, an individual brings his or her dog to a long-term care facility to visit the residents. Although the staff is involved in the visits, no treatment goals have been set for the visit and, aside from signing in and out, no records are kept.

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal is incorporated as an integral part of the clinical health-care treatment process. AAT is delivered or directed by a professional health or human service provider who demonstrates skill and expertise regarding the clinical applications of human-animal interactions.

Benefits of Animal-Assisted Activities and Animal-Assisted Therapy

AAA and AAT are so much more than taking a pet to a hospital. They provide motivational, educational and recreational interactions that enhance people’s quality of life. In one setting, trained volunteers bring their dogs to a long-term care facility to provide residents with mental stimulation, physiological benefits and unconditional acceptance. In other settings, the animal interaction motivates rehabilitation patients to walk again, teaches children in special-education classrooms important life skills, and facilitates counseling sessions in mental health centers. Our literacy program helps children improve their reading skills by reading to a therapy animal.

Safety First

With the increased public awareness that animals can be used effectively as an alternative to traditional treatment methods — and with a growing interest in people wanting to visit schools, nursing homes and hospitals with their pets — there is a greater urgency to ensure that high standards and safe, humane practices that protect these therapy animals are reinforced. Tremendous potential exists for animals to help people, but with that comes tremendous responsibility to continually improve how animal-assisted therapy services are delivered.