Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal that meets specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process. AAT is directed and/or delivered by a health/human service professional with specialized expertise, and within the scope of practice of his/her profession” Diedre, Rand.
 

Therapy can be a vulnerable and scary place and talking about a variety of mental health struggles can bring up painful and difficult emotions.  Having Granite as a mere presence in therapy can decrease feelings of stress and increase feelings of safety and security. A study done by Beetz et al. (2011) showed that during a social stress test with children, the support of a dog and the dog’s physical presence, was associated with significantly lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone) than if a dog was not present.  There is a great deal of evidence that supports the importance of AAT and some potential benefits of AAT include, but are not limited to:

• Increased self-regulation

• Increased problem-solving skills

• Reduction of anxiety

• Reduction of depression

• Ability to assist in the grief/loss process

• Increased ability to recognize emotions in others and self

• Increased self-confidence and sense of self

• Improvement in communication

• Positive relationship development

• Development of social-emotional thinking skills

• Improvement in cooperation and motivation

• Building rapport, trust, empathy

• Increased attention & impulse control

• Increased social skills

1. Beetz A., Kotrschal K., Hediger K., Turner D., Uvnäs-Moberg K. (2011). The effect of a real dog, toy dog and friendly person on insecurely attached children during a stressful task: an exploratory study. Anthrozoos 24, 349–36810.2752/175303711X13159027359746 [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]