Handbook on animal-assisted therapy. Theoretical foundations and guidelines for practice
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This introductory chapter provides readers with a basic foundation to appreciate and understand this unique kinship with all living creatures but also to discover the roots to the overwhelming growing interest in animal-assisted intervention (AAI).Abstract:
This introductory chapter provides readers not only with a basic foundation to
appreciate and understand this unique kinship with all living creatures but also to
discover the roots to the overwhelming growing interest in animal-assisted intervention
(AAI). The chapter should also help solidify and clarify how the benefits
witnessed within this unique bond have prompted numerous professionals to become
more curious about the advantages of animal-assisted interventions.
It is apparent that dogs have been bred to coexist with their human counterparts
and have filled many roles including herding, guarding, hunting, fishing and being our
best friend (Clutton-Brock, 1995). Dogs have also been widely used as service
animals, supporting the quality of life of people in need. There have been increasing
insights into science’s current understanding of dog behavior and cognition. Perhaps
one of the strongest insights that she discusses pertains to dogs’ ability to understand
our behaviors (Hare, 2007; Hare et al., 2002). Horowitz (2009) explains that dogs’read more
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