Animal-Assisted Interventions & Therapy

According to the American Counseling Association, AATC is defined as "the incorporation of specially trained and evaluated animals as therapeutic agents into the counseling process, whereby professional counselors use the human-animal bond as part of the treatment process".

The official Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy defines AAI as "a goal oriented and structured intervention that intentionally includes or incorporates animals in health, education, and human services for the purpose of therapeutic gains in humans".