The integration of animals into the therapy setting by psychotherapists has been a growing trend. Psychological problems treated include emotional and behavioral problems, attachment issues, trauma, and developmental disorders. An influential 1970s survey suggests that over 20 percent of therapists in the psychotherapy division of the American Psychological Association incorporated animals into their treatment in some fashion. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the number is much higher today. Since Yeshiva University psychologist Boris Levinson popularized the involvement of animals in psychotherapy in the 1960s, Israel has come to be perhaps the most advanced country in the world in the area of animal-assisted psychotherapy (AAP). This is true especially in the areas of academic training programs, theory-building, and clinical practice. Great effort has been put into understanding the mechanisms behind AAP, as well as into developing ethical guidelines that take into account the therapist's responsibility toward both client and animal. This book exposes the world to the theory and practice of AAP as conceived and used in Israel. It emphasizes evidence-based and clinically sound applications with psychotherapeutic goals, as differentiated from other animal-assisted interventions, such as AAE (animal-assisted education) and AAA (animal-assisted activities), which may have education or skills-oriented goals. Not just anyone with a dog can call him-or herself an animal-assisted therapist. This volume demonstrates not only the promise of animal-assisted psychotherapeutic approaches, but also some of the challenges the field still needs to overcome to gain widespread legitimacy.

Animal Assisted Therapy in Counseling is the most comprehensive book available dedicated to training mental health practitioners in Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT). It explains the history and practice of AAT in counseling, discusses the latest empirical research, and provides an in-depth explanation of the psychodynamics of AAT within various theoretical frameworks. Readers will learn the proper way to select, train, and evaluate an animal for therapy. The use of a number of different therapy animals is considered, including dogs, cats, horses, birds, farm animals, rabbits and other small animals, and dolphins. Guidelines for implementing AAT in settings such as private practices, community agencies, schools, hospices, and prisons are covered, as well as ethical and legal considerations, risk management, diversity issues, and crisis and disaster response applications. Numerous case examples illustrate the use of AAT principles with clients, and forms, client handouts, and other resources provide valuable tools. This unique resource is an indispensable guide for any counselor looking to develop and implement AAT techniques in his or her practice.

VanFleet (licensed psychologist with focus on play therapy) offers child and family clinicians guidelines for incorporating play with dogs into treatment for a variety of child problems. Early chapters summarize the rationale for animal-assisted therapy from neuroscience and psychology, as well as discussing ethical considerations and safety and training guidelines. Anecdotes from the author's and other play therapists' practices discuss the use of dogs in exercises for anxiety reduction, treatment for grief and loss, confidence building, weight reduction and fitness, work with behavioral and social difficulties.

Lisa is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Play Therapy Supervisor, and a Certified Animal Assisted Play Therapist Supervisor. She is the owner of Therapooch® Family Counseling Center in Camarillo, California. She started working with kids 25 years ago as a preschool teacher and would bring animals into her classroom. Lisa has over 20 years of experience conducting AAT in a variety of therapeutic settings. Her therapy office and playroom were personally designed with AAPT in mind and is very spacious. In 2012, her playroom earned runner-up honors as the nation's (USA) Top Playroom by the Association of Play Therapy (APT). Lisa currently works with her 7 year old chocolate lab, Kona. Kona earned her CGC and is an Approved Play Therapy Dog through the International Institute for Animal Assisted Play Therapy®. She is currently assisting in training her new sister, Cali. Kona is a playful girl and loves going to work!