What Factors Influence Perceptions About Animal-Assisted Therapy?

ABSTRACT

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has gained popularity within K-12 schools for the emotional-social support, academic support, and sense of belongingness animals provide, however, concerns still arise despite documented potential benefits. This exploratory cross-sectional, quantitative study examined the knowledge, attitudes, and experiences of school counselors and school nurses with AAT to determine potential risks and benefits of AAT in schools. The REHAB Basel Questionnaire was utilized with 426 participants in the survey; school nurses (N = 228, 54%) and school counselors (N = 198, 47%). Results indicated canine ownership, role within schools, and region affected participants’ responses. Future research may seek to focus on establishing guidelines for the implementation of AAT in K-12 schools.

KEYWORDS:

• School counseling
• school nursing
• animal-assisted interventions
• human-animal bond
• animal-assisted therapy
• creativity in counseling