Animal-Assisted Interventions - Research

* various species, excluding horses (see EAI - Research)

The following is a list of research articles, practice/theoretical articles, and book chapters that pertain to animal-assisted interventions.  This list was last updated in 2008.

To order copies of these articles, contact the journal in question by clicking on the links below or visit your local university library.  In some cases, these articles are available for purchase by the author or are available for free online – see links for more details.

Allderidge, P.H. (1991). A cat, surpassing in beauty, and other therapeutic animals. Psychiatric Bulletin, 15, 759-762.

Altschuler, E.L. (1999). Pet-facilitated therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder. Annals of Clinical Psychiatry, 11(1), 29-30.

Antonioli, C. & Reveley, M.A. (2007). Randomised controlled trial of animal-facilitated therapy with dolphins in the treatment of depression. British Medical Journal, 331, 1-4.

Ascione, F.R. (1992). Enhancing children’s attitudes about the humane treatment of animals: Generalization to human-directed empathy. Anthrozoös, 5(3).

Ascione, F.R. & Weber, C.V. (1996). Children’s attitudes about the humane treatment of animals and empathy: One-year follow-up of a school-based intervention. Anthrozoös, 9(4), p. 188-195.

Banks, M.R. & Banks, W.A. (2002). The effects of animal-assisted therapy on loneliness in an elderly population in long-term care facilities.Journal of Gerontology, 57A(7), M428-M432.

Bardill, N. & Hutchinson, S. (1997). Animal-assisted therapy with hospitalized adolescents. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 10(1), 17-24.

Barker, S.B., Pandurangi, M.D., & Best, A.M. (2003). Effects of animal-assisted therapy on patients' anxiety, fear, and depression before ECT. The Journal of ECT, 19(1), 38-44.

Beck, A.M. & Katcher, A.H. (1984). A new look at pet-facilitated therapy. Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association, 184(4), 414-421.

Berget, B., Skarsaune, I., Ekeberg, O., & Braastad, B.O. (2007). Humans with mental disorders working with farm animals: A behavioral study. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 23(2), 101-117.

Brensing, K., Linke, K., & Todt, D. (2003). Can dolphins heal by ultrasound? Journal of Theoretical Biology, 225, 99-105.

Brodie, S.J. & Biley, F.C. (1999). An exploration of the potential benefits of pet-facilitated therapy. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 8, 329-337.

Brodie, S.J., Biley, F.C. & Shewring, M. (2002). An exploration of the potential risks associated with using pet therapy in healthcare settings.Journal of Clinical Nursing, 11, 444-456.

Brooks, S.M. (2006). Animal-assisted psychotherapy and equine-facilitated psychotherapy. In N.B. Webb (Ed.), Working with traumatized youth in child welfare (pp. 196-217). New York, NY: The Guilford Press.

Caprilli, S. & Messeri, A. (2006). Animal-assisted activity at A. Meyer Children’s Hospital: A pilot study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 3(3), 379-383.

Colombo, G., Dello Buono, M., Smania, K., Raviola, R., & De Leo, D. (2006). Pet therapy and institutionalized elderly: A study on 144 cognitively unimpaired subjects. Archives of Gerontology & Geriatrics, 42, 207-216.

Corson, S.A., Corson, E.O., & Gwynne, P.H. (1975). Pet-facilitated psychotherapy. In R.S. Anderson (Ed.), Pet animals and society (pp. 19-36). Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins.

Deaton, C. (2005). Humanizing prisons with animals: A closer look at ‘cell dogs’ and horse programs in correctional institutions. Journal of Correctional Education, 56(1), 46-62.

Draper, R.J., Gerber, G.J., & Layng, E.M. (1990). Defining the role of pet animals in psychotherapy. Psychiatric Journal of the University of Ottawa, 15(3), 169-172.

Edwards, N.E. & Beck, A.M. (2002). Animal-assisted therapy and nutrition in Alzheimer’s disease. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 24, 697-712.

Filan, S.L. & Llewellyn-Jones, R.H. (2006). Animal-assisted therapy for dementia: A review of the literature. International Psychogeriatrics, 18(4), 597-611.

Fine, A.H., Lee, J., Zapf, S., Kriwin, S., Henderson, K., & Gibbons, F. (1996). Broadening the impact of services and recreational therapies. In A.H. Fine & N.M. Fine (Eds.), Therapeutic recreation for exceptional children: Let me in, I want to play (pp. 270-288).

Folse, E.B., Minder, C.C., Aycock, M.J., & Santana, R.T. (1994). Animal-assisted therapy and depression in adult college students. Anthrozoös, 7(3), 188-194.

Furst, G. (2006). Prison-based animal programs: A national survey. The Prison Journal, 86(4), 407-430.

Geisler, A.M. (2004). Companion animals in palliative care: Stories from the bedside. American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine, 21(4), 285-288.

George, M.H. (1988). Child therapy and animals. In C.E. Schaefer (Ed.), Innovative interventions in child and adolescent therapy (pp. 400-418). Toronto, ON: John Wiley & Sons.

Granger, B.P., Kogan, L., Fitchett, J., & Helmer, K. (1998). A human-animal intervention team approach to animal-assisted therapy. Anthrozoös, 11(3), 172-176.

Hanselman, J.L. (2001). Coping skills interventions with adolescents in anger management using animals in therapy. Journal of Child & Adolescent Group Therapy, 11(4), 159-195.

Harris, M.D., Rinehart, J.M. & Gerstman, J. (1993). Animal-assisted therapy for the homebound elderly.  Holistic Nurse Practitioner, 8, 27-37.

Heimlich, K. (2001, October/November/December).  Animal-assisted therapy and the severely disabled child: A quantitative study. Journal of Rehabilitation, 48-54.

Hoelscher, K. & Garfat, T. (1993). Talking to the animal. Journal of Child and Youth Care, 8(3), 87-92.

Hooker, S.D., Holbrook Freeman, L., Stewart, P. (2002). Pet therapy research: A historical overview. Holistic Nursing Practice, 17(1), 17-23..

Hunter, D. & Sawyer, C. (2006). Blending native American spirituality with individual psychology in work with children. Journal of Individual Psychology, 62(3), 234-250. 

Jalongo, M.R., Astorino, T. & Bomboy, N. (2004). Canine visitors: The influence of therapy dogs on young children’s learning and well-being in classrooms and hospitals. Early Childhood Education Journal, 32(1), 9-16.

Johnson, R.A., Odendaal, J.S.J., & Meadows, R.L. (2002). Animal-assisted interventions research: Issues and answers.  Western Journal of Nursing Research, 24(4), 422–440.

Kaiser, L., Spence, L.J., McGavin, L., Struble, L., & Keilman, L. (2002). A dog and a ‘happy person’ visit nursing home residents. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 24(6), 671-683.

Kaminski, M., Pellino, T., & Wish, J. (2002). Play and pets: The physical and emotional impact of child-life and pet therapy on hospitalized children. Children’s Health Care, 31(4), 321-335.

Katcher, A. & Wilkins, G.G. (1998). Animal-assisted therapy in the treatment of disruptive behavior disorders in children. In A. Lundberg (Ed.), The environment and mental health (pp. 193-204). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Inc.

Kaymen, M.S. (2005). Exploring animal-assisted therapy as a reading intervention strategy. Unpublished master’s thesis.

Kogan, L.R., Granger, B.P., Fitchett, J.A., Helmer, K.A., & Young, K.J. (1999). The human-animal team approach for children with emotional disorders: Two case studies. Child & Youth Care Forum, 28(2), 105-121.

Kovacs, Z., Kis, R., Rozsa, S., & Rozsa, L. (2004). Animal-assisted therapy for middle-aged schizophrenic patients living in a social institution: A pilot study. Clinical Rehabilitation, 18, 483-486.

Kruger, K.A., Trachtenberg, S.W. & Serpell, J.A. (2004). Can animals help humans heal? Animal-assisted interventions in adolescent mental health. Philadelphia, PA: Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society.

Lafrance, C., Garcia, L.J., & Labreche, J. (2007). The effect of a therapy dog on the communication skills of an adult with aphasia.  Journal of Communication Disorders, 40, 215-224.

Lefebvre, S.L., Waltner-Toews, D., Peregrine, A.S., Reid-Smith, R., Hodge, L., Arroyo, L.G. & Weese, J.S. (2006). Prevalence of zoonotic agents in dogs visiting hospitalized people in Ontario: Implications for infection control. Journal of Hospital Infection, 62, 458-466.

Lefkowitz, C., Paharia, I., Prout, M., Debiak, D. & Bleiberg, J. (2005). Animal-assisted prolonged exposure: A treatment for survivors of sexual assault suffering posttraumatic stress disorder. Society & Animals, 13(4), 275-295.

Levinson, B.M. (1962). The dog as 'co-therapist.' Mental Hygiene, 46, 59-65.

Levinson, B.M. (1964). Pets: A special technique in child psychotherapy. Mental Hygiene, 48(2), 243-248.

Levinson, B.M. (1965). Pet psychotherapy: Use of household pets in the treatment of behavior disorder in childhood. Psychological Reports, 17, 695-698.

Levinson, B.M. (1969). Pet-oriented child psychotherapy. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas, Publisher.

Levinson, B.M. (1984). Human/companion animal therapy. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 14(2), 131-144.

Lucidi, P., Bernabo, N., Panuzi, M., Dalla Villa, P., & Mattioli, M. (2005). Ethotest: A new model to identify (shelter) dogs' skills as service animals or adoptable pets. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 95, 103-122..

Lutwack-Bloom, P., Wijewickrama, R., & Smith, B. (2005). Effects of pets versus people visits with nursing home residents. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 44(3/4), 137-159.

Macaulay, B.L. (2006). Animal-assisted therapy for persons with aphasia: A pilot study. Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development, 43(3), 357-366.

Mallon, G. (1992). Utilization of animals as therapeutic adjuncts with children and youth: A review of the literature. Child and Youth Care Forum, 21(1), 53–67.

Mallon, G.P. (1994a). Some of our best therapists are dogs. Child & Youth Care Forum, 23(2), 89-101.

Mallon, G.P. (1994b). Cow as co-therapist: Utilization of farm animals as therapeutic aides with children in residential treatment. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 11(6), 455-474.

Marr, C.A., French, L., Thompson, D., Drum, L., Greening, G., Mormon, J., Henderson, I., & Hughes, C.W. (2000). Animal-assisted therapy in psychiatric rehabilitation. Anthrozoös, 13(1), 43-47.

Martin, F. & Farnum, J. (2002). Animal-assisted therapy for children with pervasive developmental disorders. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 24(6), 657-670.

McCabe, B.W., Baun, M.M., Speich, D. & Agrawal, S. (2002). Resident dog in the Alzheimer's special care unit. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 24, 684-696.

Miller, J., Connor, K., Deal, B., Duke, G.W., Stanley-Hermanns, M., Varnell, G., Hartman, K., & McLarty, Jerry. (2003). How animal-assisted therapy affects discharge teaching: A pilot study. Critical Care Choices, 36-40.

Miller, J. & Ingram, L. (2000). Perioperative nursing and animal-assisted therapy. AORN Journal 72(3), 477-483.

Morrison, M. (2007). Health benefits of animal-assisted interventions. Complementary Health Practice Review, 12(1), 51–62.

Moody, W.J., King, R., & O’Rourke, S. (2002).  Attitudes of paediatric medical ward staff to a dog visitation programme. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 11, 537-544.

Nathans-Barel, I., Feldman, P., Berger, B., Modai, I., & Silver, H. (2005). Animal-assisted therapy ameliorates anhedonia in schizophrenia patients. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 74, 31-35.

Nimer, J. & Lundahl, B. (2007). Animal-assisted therapy: A meta-analysis. Anthrozoös, 20(3), 225-238.

Odendaal, J.S.J. (2000). Animal-assisted therapy – magic or medicine? Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 49, 275-280.

Phillips Parshall, D. (2003). Research and reflection: Animal-assisted therapy in mental health settings. Counseling and Values, 48, 47-56.

Prothmann, A., Bienert, M., & Ettrich, C. (2006). Dogs in child psychotherapy: Effects on state of mind. Anthrozoös, 19(3), 265-277.

Reichert, E. (1994). Play and animal-assisted therapy: A group-treatment model for sexually abused girls ages 9-13. Family Therapy, 21(1), 55-62.

Reichert, E. (1998). Individual counseling for sexually abused children: A role for animals and storytelling. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 15(3), 177-185.

Reimer, D. (1999). Pet-facilitated therapy: An initial exploration of the thinking and theory behind an innovative intervention for children in psychotherapy. West Roxbury, MA: Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology.

Rice, S.S., Brown, L.T., & Caldwell, S.B. (1973). Animals and psychotherapy: A survey. Journal of Community Psychology, 1(3), 323-326.

Rochberg-Halton, E. (1985). Life in the Treehouse: Pet therapy as family metaphor and self-dialogue. Marriage & Family Review, 8(3-4), 175-189.

Ross, S.B. Jr. (1993). Nurturing with nature. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Problems, 1(4), 38-40.

Ross, S.B. Jr., Vigdor, M.G., Kohnstamm, M., DiPaoli, M., Manley, B. & Ross, L. (1984). The effects of farm programming with emotionally handicapped children.  In R.K. Anderson, B.L. Hart, & L.A. Hart (Eds.), The pet connection: Its influence on our health and quality of life.  Paper presented at the proceedings of the Conference on the Human-Animal Bond, Minneapolis, MN, June 13-14, 1983.

Rossiter, S. (2006). Forget Me Not Farm: A healing place. Annals of the American Psychotherapy Association, 9(1), 30-32.

Souter, M.A. & Miller, M.D. (2007). Do animal-assisted activities effectively treat depression? A meta-analysis. Anthrozoös, 20(2), 167-180.

Stanley-Hermanns, M. & Miller, J. (2002). Animal-assisted therapy. American Journal of Nursing, 102(10), 69-76.

The Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society (2004). Can animals help humans heal? Animal-assisted interventions in adolescent mental health. Program and summaries of the conference held at the University of Pennsylvania, March 28, 2004.

The Chimo Project (2003, November). Final project team report for: The Chimo Project - Improving mental health through animal-assisted therapy.

Thompson, K.L. & Gullone, E. (2003). Promotion of empathy and prosocial behaviour in children through humane education. Australian Psychologist, 38(3), 175-182.

Velde, B.P., Cipriani, J., & Fisher, G. (2005). Resident and therapist views of animal-assisted therapy: Implications for occupational therapy practice. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 52, 43-50.

Wells, E.S., Rosen, L.W., & Walshaw, S. (1997). Use of feral cats in psychotherapy. Anthrozoös, 10(2/3), 125-130).

Waltner-Toews, D. (1993). Zoonotic disease concerns in animal-assisted therapy and animal visitation programs. Canadian Veterinary Journal, 34, 549-551.

Wilson, C.C. (1991). The pet as an anxiolytic intervention.  The Journal of Mental and Nervous Disease, 179, 482-489.