Customer Reviews

Animal Assisted Therapy in Counseling

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Several of my clients use their pets in the important work of assited therapy. I think it's important to understand the many positive benefits our pets bring to our lives. This book is the first one, a ground breaking edition, which explores the positive benefits pets have in the various aspects of counseling. Anyone involved or seeking to become involved in pet therapy should find this book very helpful!

Shawn Messonnier DVM
(...)

I read this book in one sitting!!! I couldn't put it down until I had read the whole thing! This book is a spectacular addition to the counseling field in its own right, and fills an important gap left by other animal-assisted therapy (AAT) texts. Dr. Chandler has collected in a very engaging and readable form all one needs to know to effectively conduct AAT. I found the information and guidelines on AAT particularly useful, especially the sections emphasizing examples of therapeutic responses, uses of animals assisting in therapy, and the various requirements for certification. The pictures and descriptions of Dr. Chandler's own work with her 3 co-therapists were fun and informative as well. Before you buy any other book on AAT, buy this one first; read it, read it again, and then see the difference AAT really makes for counseling clients. On second thought, don't buy any other AAT books; this is the only one you'll need.

This is one of the best books available about the use of AAT in mental health practice. I've reviewed most of them for some research I'm doing in the field, and Dr. Chandler's is thorough, based on the latest research, easy to read and absorb, and filled with very practical information. She covers the tremendous benefits of this type of work along with necessary cautions, and emphasizes the importance of proper training and credentialing. The book is ideal for people just entering this fascinating field, but there is also lots of useful information for more experienced AAT practitioners as well.

Rise VanFleet, Ph.D.
Child/Family Psychologist
Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor
Past President, Association for Play Therapy

I am in the early stages of reading this book, but I have to say so far it is excellent. I am a Senior college student majoring in health and psychology with a plan to create a AAT/AAA program for our area and this is the perfect book to help me understand the work and build the program. Definite must read for animal and non-animal therapists, volunteer or animal lover interested in understanding the healing power of animals.

I found the book a bit disappointing. While there were supporting citations and references given for the use of animal-assisted therapy, it lacked advice on how to actually begin training the animals and handlers and how to get started in providing services. The book did not tell me anything I didn't already know; it discussed the author's own pets and recommended training through outside organizations, such as the delta society.

After Piddles the Incontinent, donned the Wonder Woman dog costume (please see my earlier review for the full, terrible story) I have been left mental scarred and addicted to a daily cocktail of illicit prescription drugs and full-fat chocolate milk.

In contrast to my unfortunate disposition, this selfsame incident gave Piddles a new-found confidence, which I found infuriating. It was, therefore, with some considerable relief that my long search for some heavy-duty therapy finally led me to this unique book.

Although she has barely finished chapter 3, Piddles is already showing an uncanny talent for counselling. Her friendly, confident couchside patter (Woof, woof woof woof, woof woof, woof, woooooof, barrk, growl, woof!) coupled with some serious face-licking have helped me out of my slough of despondency.

Even though I have yet to fully recover from my mental madness, there is now a long line of local psycho-loonies queuing up for some doggy therapy. Whatever the doubters say, this book works better than a dose of trepanning in an insane asylum.