Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT)
Incorporates trained therapy animals into treatment sessions to improve emotional, social, cognitive, and physical functioning.
What Is Animal-Assisted Therapy?
Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) involves a trained therapy animal (most commonly dogs, but also cats, rabbits, horses, and other animals) as an integral part of a treatment session led by a health professional. The animal serves as a therapeutic tool to achieve specific clinical goals.
AAT is different from animal-assisted activities (casual animal visits for comfort) and service animals (trained to perform specific tasks). In AAT, the animal is incorporated into treatment plans designed by licensed therapists — the animal provides motivation, comfort, and unique therapeutic interactions.
Research suggests that interactions with animals reduce cortisol (stress hormone), increase oxytocin (bonding hormone), lower blood pressure, and provide emotional comfort — creating a therapeutic environment that enhances the effectiveness of traditional interventions.
Who Benefits from Animal-Assisted Therapy?
autism
Animals provide non-judgmental social interaction, reduce anxiety, and increase motivation for therapeutic activities. Children often communicate more freely in the presence of therapy animals.
mental health
The calming presence of therapy animals reduces anxiety, facilitates emotional expression, and creates a safe atmosphere for addressing difficult topics in psychotherapy.
cerebral palsy
Interacting with animals motivates physical activity — reaching, grasping, walking, and balance activities become more engaging with an animal partner.
intellectual disability
Animals provide unconditional acceptance and non-verbal interaction, building confidence and providing motivation for social and skill-building activities.
What to Expect in a Session
First Session
An assessment evaluates the participant's comfort with animals, any allergies or fears, and identifies how animal interactions can address therapeutic goals. An animal compatibility screening ensures a safe match.
Ongoing Sessions
The therapy animal is incorporated into sessions led by a licensed therapist. Activities might include grooming the animal (fine motor), walking the dog (physical therapy), teaching tricks (communication, sequencing), or simply having the animal present during talk therapy.
Your Child's Role
Your child or the adult interacts with the therapy animal as part of structured therapeutic activities. The animal provides motivation, comfort, and unique interaction opportunities.
Caregiver's Role
Parents observe and may participate in animal-assisted activities. The therapist explains how the animal supports specific therapeutic goals.
When to Start
Early Childhood (0-5)
AAT can begin as soon as a child is comfortable around animals. Many children are naturally drawn to animals, making AAT a highly motivating therapy medium.
School Age (6-17)
Effective for addressing emotional, social, and behavioural goals. School-based therapy dog programs are increasingly common.
Adults (18+)
Adults benefit from AAT for mental health, rehabilitation motivation, and reducing the clinical feeling of therapy sessions.
General guidance: AAT works best when integrated into a broader treatment plan with a licensed therapist. Ensure the animal is a certified therapy animal with appropriate training and health screening.
| Item | Range | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Assessment | $50–$200 | Intake assessment and animal compatibility screening |
| Per Session | $80–$150 | 30-60 minutes |
| Insurance | Generally not covered by insurance directly; may be partially covered if delivered by a registered therapist (OT, PT, psychologist) | |
| Tax Credit | May qualify for METC if prescribed by a physician and delivered by a registered health professional | |
Money-Saving Tips
- Many animal-assisted therapy programs are run by charities and offered at subsidized rates
- Therapeutic riding programs (e.g., CanTRA centres) often have bursary or sponsorship programs
- St. John Ambulance therapy dog programs offer free animal-assisted activities in some settings
| Province | Status | Program | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| BC | Not Funded | — | Not covered by MSP; Pacific Assistance Dogs Society and other charities provide trained service dogs at no cost after acceptance. |
| AB | Not Funded | — | Not publicly funded; some community organizations like PADS and Alberta Guide Dog Services provide service dogs at no cost. |
| SK | No data | — | — |
| MB | No data | — | — |
| ON | Not Funded | — | Not publicly funded; service dogs may be partially covered through ADP; therapeutic riding programs are charity-funded. |
| QC | Not Funded | — | Not covered by public system; Mira Foundation provides guide and service dogs at no cost to qualified recipients. |
| NB | No data | — | — |
| NS | No data | — | — |
| PE | No data | — | — |
| NL | No data | — | — |
| NT | No data | — | — |
| NU | No data | — | — |
| YT | No data | — | — |
Evidence & Research
Animal-assisted therapy has emerging evidence, with the strongest support for reducing anxiety, improving social interaction in autism, and increasing motivation in rehabilitation settings. A growing body of research shows promise, though more rigorous controlled trials are needed.
Red Flags to Watch For
Be cautious of any provider who:
- The therapy animal is not certified and health-screened, or shows signs of stress or aggression
- A licensed therapist is not directing the sessions — animal visits without clinical goals are activities, not therapy
- The provider cannot explain how the animal specifically supports the participant's therapeutic goals
- Hygiene and safety protocols are not followed (handwashing, animal vaccination, allergen management)
- The animal's welfare is not prioritized — therapy animals should be well-cared for and not overworked
How to Find a Provider
- 1
Ask your therapist (OT, PT, psychologist, SLP) if they incorporate animal-assisted interventions
- 2
Contact Pet Partners or Therapeutic Paws of Canada for certified therapy animal teams in your area
- 3
Check with your children's treatment centre or hospital for AAT programs
- 4
Search for therapists who list animal-assisted therapy as a specialization
- 5
Contact therapeutic riding centres for equine-assisted therapy programs
Conditions That Use Animal-Assisted Therapy
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