Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy: Theoretical Foundations and Guidelines for Practice [Hardcover]

Aubrey H. Fine (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0122564758 | ISBN-13: 978-0122564758 | Publication Date: November 2, 1999 | Edition: 1st

Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy provides a comprehensive overview of the many ways in which animals can be used to assist therapists. Coverage includes how animals can assist specific patient populations (children, the disabled, AIDS patients, etc.), how animals can aid in specific settings (hospitals, prisons, independent practice, etc.), and how professionals can best select appropriate animals (species, breed, and individual temperament) and design an AAT program.
Humans have long had a special bond with animals, initially as work animals, then as pets, and now more frequently as therapeutic companions. Animals help the sick recover more quickly and help the aged live longer and more satisfying lives. Specially trained animals are now helping stroke victims, the handicapped, and others to regain or build lost faculties. Increasingly, animals assist in nonphysical/medical therapies, helping the stressed and angry relax and the shy be more forthcoming.
Contributors represent the top people in the field from hospital settings, vet hospitals, animal training centers, and therapists in practice.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"5 Stars from Doody!"
--DOODY'S
"This is a very in-depth and informational text on animal-assisted therapy (AAT). It is full of good historical and up-to-date information to guide the practitioner wanting to begin AAT... I feel that this book is definitely needed in any AAT program, and I found it very informative as well as instructional... This book is a complete, thorough, and in-depth overview of the ways that animals can assist human therapists. Specific use in hospitals, prisons, and independent practices is covered. Information on how to design an AAT program as well as the value that an AAT program can have in human therapy is included. Selection of appropriate animals for specific environments is suggested. The information and history of the human-animal bond gives the reader a sense of how useful AAT can be in a practice or institution... The editor and contributors provide needed information in the AAT field, which is still in its infancy. They give concise, detailed information on all areas of AAT including how to start a program or improve a current program. Anyone interested in the human-animal bond, particularly on how it relates to helping in a therapeutic setting, must read this book."
--KENT DAVIS, DVM (University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital)

"It is a well-written and interesting book and makes a considerable and important contribution to the field of animal-assisted therapy. This book would make an ideal text for courses in this topic and should be in the personal library of those interested in the human-animal bond and animal-assisted therapy."
--JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, June 15, 2001

"Aubrey Fine has collated a broad ranging series of contributions which provide a much-needed resource for practitioners, researchers and students. This book is a positive step in formalizing the concepts and practicalities surrounding the use of animals in therapeutic settings... it is a valuable contribution to the field."
--ANTHROZOOS

Book Description

5 Star Review from Doody's Review Service!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 481 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press; 1st edition (November 2, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0122564758
• ISBN-13: 978-0122564758
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,030,536 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Credible, clinical but enjoyable-A Keeper, June 26, 2002

By 

Rev. Lindsey Grant "Director, Empowerment House" (Portland, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy: Theoretical Foundations and Guidelines for Practice (Hardcover)

This tome features a number of various case study articles on different subjects pertaing to not only animal-assisted therapy, but also to service animals (there is a significant difference). One area (service animals)is for disabled individuals who have an animal-usually a dog-to assist them. The other area is for those interested in Biophilia, how clients benefit from exposure to animals from a therapeutic stance, where handlers bring their animals into long-term facilities, and the like.
I enjoyed this book so much I loaned my copy to a psychiatrist at a neighboring mental health clinc that I know who was conducting a group. She wanted to talk to them about the benefits of service animals for those with mental and emotional disorders, but didn't have the background on the subject. This book was indispensible for her. I plan to add more volumes like it to my library.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have Book, February 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy: Theoretical Foundations and Guidelines for Practice (Hardcover)

The Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy edited by Aubrey Fine is a must have book for anyone really serious about Animal-Assisted Therapy and its incorportaion into your profession. It is well written with articles by the "who's who" professionals currently in the field of AAT. I have been waiting a long time for this book and I'm glad it's finally here! It's worth every penny you pay for it.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the Money, March 3, 2002

By 

Barbara Forgue (Ludington, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy: Theoretical Foundations and Guidelines for Practice (Hardcover)

This book contains bonafide information to help AAT professionals in everything from forming a practice, zoonotic disease charts, guidelines for AAT in a variety of settings (hospitals, schools etc.), and with a variety of clients to Nature therapy and animal abuse issues.

Additionally, it offers information on assessment tools that can be applied to research in this area. It explains different statistical methods and how to use them.

This book is a 'must have' reference. It is encouraging to see good literature emerging in this field. As a practitioner in this area, I am encouraged by works like this.