Pet Therapy: what are we talking about?

<p class=rtejustify>The definition of 'pet therapy' includes a wide range of activities connected to the relationship between humans and animals. It's a very broad definition that can define many different situations and scenarios. The correct definition for those activities carried out together with animals is: Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI).</p><p class=rtejustify>Inside AAI there are different types of activities:</p><ul><li class=rtejustify>AAT (Animal Assisted Therapies), where the relationship with an animal is done at the same time as a medical therapy for physical or mental pathologies. The goal is to better the patient's condition through the interaction with an animal. This type of intervention is always carried out together with doctors and experts of the pathology suffered by the patient.</li><li class=rtejustify>AAE (Animal Assisted Education), where the encounter with an animal is an educational experience to better the relationship between human and animal, and learn more in general. The targeted patients aren't of a specific type, but they are always assisted by educators and other experts of the field.</li><li class=rtejustify>AAA (Animal Assisted Activities), less structured and more free interventions, usually with recreational purposes, together with experts of the field.</li></ul><p class=rtejustify>There are often misinterpretations regarding AAI, let's try to clear things up:</p><ul><li class=rtejustify><u>During AAI animals are used for the good of the human: FALSE!</u> In AAI the first thought must always be the safety and the well being of the animal, and the respect of its ethological characteristics. The animal is not an instrument, it's a partner with whom to share an experience, that has to be positive for both the human and the animal.</li><li class=rtejustify><u>Dogs are good for all situations: FALSE!</u> Each dog is a unique being, with its own character and needs. So, the same dog could feel at ease dealing with children, but might not feel comfortable with senior people. Whenever we are planning an AAI it's necessary to evaluate the best individual animal for the intervention