Terminology

Since its inception, the field of animal-assisted interventions has been characterized by a lack of standardized terminology, which reflects the variety of practices and philosophical differences that exist among practitioners, researchers and schools of thought associated with these approaches. The following is a compilation of common terms found in the academic/scientific literature as well as used in practice by professionals, including translation of common expressions into French and information about attempts at standardizing terminology.

 

Animals In General

Pet therapy  *  Pet-assisted therapy  *  Pet-facilitated psychotherapy  *  Pet-oriented psychotherapy  *  Pet-oriented child psychotherapy  *  Pet psychotherapy  *  Pet-mediated therapy  *  Pet visitation  *  Human/companion animal therapy  *  Animal-facilitated therapy  *  Animal-assisted therapy (AAT)  *  Animal-assisted psychotherapy (AAP) *  Animal-assisted counselling  *  Animal-assisted social work  *  Animal-assisted education (AAE)  *  Animal-assisted nursing  *  Animal-facilitated counselling  *  Animal-assisted activities  *  Animal-assisted interventions  *  Animal-assisted support services  *  Animal-assisted support measures  *  Animal-assisted crisis response  *  Co-therapy with an animal  *  Four-footed therapy

 

Horses

Equine-facilitated psychotherapy (EFP)  *  Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP)  *  Equine-assisted counselling (EAC)  *  Equine-facilitated personal development (EAPD)  *  Equine-facilitated experiential learning (EFEL)  *  Equine-facilitated mental health (EFMH)  *  Equine-assisted mental health (EAMH)  *  Equine-facilitated life coaching  *  Equine-assisted growth and learning (EAGL)  *  Equine-guided education (EGE)  *  Equine-assisted self-improvement  *  Equine-assisted therapy (EAT)  *  Equine-guided development (EGD)  *  Equine-guided learning (EGL)  *  Equine-assisted learning (EAL)  *  Hippotherapy  *  Therapeutic Riding  *  Riding therapy  *  Horse-assisted therapy

 

Other Species

Canine-assisted therapy  *  Dog-assisted therapy  *  Cat-assisted therapy  *  Bird-assisted therapy  *  Llama-assisted therapy  *  Bovine-assisted therapy  *  Farm animal-assisted therapy  *  Dolphin-assisted therapy  *  Elephant-assisted therapy

...and so on for every permutation imaginable!