Understanding Animal Assisted Group Therapy from the College Counselor’s Perspective

ABSTRACT

The incorporation of therapy animals into psychological services is promising as an effective form of treatment option for college students, yet limited information exists around the integration of therapy animals within groupwork. The purpose of this Hermeneutic phenomenological study was to gain an understanding of animal assisted group therapy (AAGT) on college campuses from the perspective of college mental health counselors. AAGT was explored as it relates to the lived experiences of three college-based mental health practitioners. Findings are categorized into three primary themes: adapting ethically, augmenting group treatment, and enhancing relationships. An increased sense of connection, portrayed through student attendance, decreased attrition, strong inter- and intrapersonal relationship development from student and counselors, were essential features described by college counselors as the essence of AAGT. Implications for college counselors are included.

KEYWORDS:

• Animal assisted therapy
• group therapy
• college students
• mental health
• creative intervention
• creativity in counseling

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).