Recommendations for uniform terminology in animal-assisted services (AAS)
Abstract Through the years, the range of services involving animals benefiting people, often described as “animal-assisted interventions” (AAIs), has been plagued with confusing and inconsistent taxonomy, terminology, and definitions. This has caused difficulties for the delineation of roles of serv...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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CABI
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Human-Animal Interactions |
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| Online Access: | http://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/hai.2024.0003 |
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| author | Amy Johnson Binder Nancy Parish-Plass Meg Kirby Melissa Winkle Daniela Plesa Skwerer Laura Ackerman Cindy Brosig Wendy Coombe Esther Delisle Marie-Jose Enders-Slegers Jo-Ann Fowler Laura Hey Tiffani Howell Michael Kaufmann Mariana Kienast Miyako Kinoshita Debbie Ngai Brigitte Wijnen |
| author_facet | Amy Johnson Binder Nancy Parish-Plass Meg Kirby Melissa Winkle Daniela Plesa Skwerer Laura Ackerman Cindy Brosig Wendy Coombe Esther Delisle Marie-Jose Enders-Slegers Jo-Ann Fowler Laura Hey Tiffani Howell Michael Kaufmann Mariana Kienast Miyako Kinoshita Debbie Ngai Brigitte Wijnen |
| author_sort | Amy Johnson Binder |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Through the years, the range of services involving animals benefiting people, often described as “animal-assisted interventions” (AAIs), has been plagued with confusing and inconsistent taxonomy, terminology, and definitions. This has caused difficulties for the delineation of roles of service providers, for the recipients of services, as well as for the preparation, training, and expectations of the animals that work in different roles. It can be argued that these difficulties have compromised the development of the field in terms of establishing agreed standards of practice, qualifications, and competencies and adopting good animal welfare practices. It has also likely limited the base of evidence, as search terms used to access studies are not consistent, and study protocols are difficult to compare, lacking uniformity in terminology. Additionally, the current terminology cannot accommodate the expansion and diversification of programs in recent years, which is likely to continue as the field evolves. Establishing internationally agreed upon uniform taxonomy, terminology, and definitions is crucial to more accurately reflect the key features of different approaches, to define the scope and competencies for different service providers and their animals, to provide transparency about services for recipients, and to ensure the appropriate preparation, training, and support of the animals that work with them. The recommendations in this article are the result of an international work group that convened over the course of two years. The umbrella term animal-assisted services (AAS) is proposed, defined as services that are facilitated, guided or mediated by a health or human service provider or educator, who works with and maintains the welfare of a specially alongside a specially qualifying animal to provide therapeutic, educational, supportive and/or ameliorative processes aimed at enhancing the well-being of humans. AAS are further categorized into three main areas: treatment, education, and support programs. A recommendation for provider-specific terminology is also suggested. The aim of these proposals is to set clear expectations and boundaries for each specialty of practice, without compromising the richness and diversity of each approach. The adoption of this new umbrella term and its categories is intended to improve clarity for all involved in the receipt and delivery of services, as well as for those who study their effects. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cd7cb6b501b8441d98977448e46a0472 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2957-9538 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | CABI |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Human-Animal Interactions |
| spelling | doaj-art-cd7cb6b501b8441d98977448e46a04722025-08-20T02:46:59ZengCABIHuman-Animal Interactions2957-95382024-02-0112110.1079/hai.2024.0003Recommendations for uniform terminology in animal-assisted services (AAS)Amy Johnson Binder0Nancy Parish-Plass1Meg Kirby2Melissa Winkle3Daniela Plesa Skwerer4Laura Ackerman5Cindy Brosig6Wendy Coombe7Esther Delisle8Marie-Jose Enders-Slegers9Jo-Ann Fowler10Laura Hey11Tiffani Howell12Michael Kaufmann13Mariana Kienast14Miyako Kinoshita15Debbie Ngai16Brigitte Wijnen17Animal Assisted Intervention International, Brooks College of Health, University of North Florida, USA;IAAAP – The Israeli Association of Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy, Tel-Hai College, Israel;The Equine Psychotherapy Institute & Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy International, Australia;Animal Assisted Intervention International, Dogwood Therapy Services, University of North Florida;Boston University/Center for Autism Research, USA;Denver Pet Partners, USA;Operation H.E.E.L., LLC, USA;Animal Therapies Ltd, Australia;The Canadian Institute of Animal-Assisted Interventions, Canada;International Association of Human Animal Interaction Organizations, USA;International Association of Human Animal Interaction Organizations, USA;Health Heelers, Inc. & Animal Behavior Carroll University, USA;School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia;Green Chimneys Farm and Wildlife Center/Sam and Myra Ross Institute, USA;Veterinary Science, University of La Plata, Argentina;Green Chimneys Farm and Wildlife Center/Sam and Myra Ross Institute, USA;Hong Kong Animal-Assisted Therapy Association, Hong Kong;Donkey Therapy Farm Hans & Gretel, The NetherlandsAbstract Through the years, the range of services involving animals benefiting people, often described as “animal-assisted interventions” (AAIs), has been plagued with confusing and inconsistent taxonomy, terminology, and definitions. This has caused difficulties for the delineation of roles of service providers, for the recipients of services, as well as for the preparation, training, and expectations of the animals that work in different roles. It can be argued that these difficulties have compromised the development of the field in terms of establishing agreed standards of practice, qualifications, and competencies and adopting good animal welfare practices. It has also likely limited the base of evidence, as search terms used to access studies are not consistent, and study protocols are difficult to compare, lacking uniformity in terminology. Additionally, the current terminology cannot accommodate the expansion and diversification of programs in recent years, which is likely to continue as the field evolves. Establishing internationally agreed upon uniform taxonomy, terminology, and definitions is crucial to more accurately reflect the key features of different approaches, to define the scope and competencies for different service providers and their animals, to provide transparency about services for recipients, and to ensure the appropriate preparation, training, and support of the animals that work with them. The recommendations in this article are the result of an international work group that convened over the course of two years. The umbrella term animal-assisted services (AAS) is proposed, defined as services that are facilitated, guided or mediated by a health or human service provider or educator, who works with and maintains the welfare of a specially alongside a specially qualifying animal to provide therapeutic, educational, supportive and/or ameliorative processes aimed at enhancing the well-being of humans. AAS are further categorized into three main areas: treatment, education, and support programs. A recommendation for provider-specific terminology is also suggested. The aim of these proposals is to set clear expectations and boundaries for each specialty of practice, without compromising the richness and diversity of each approach. The adoption of this new umbrella term and its categories is intended to improve clarity for all involved in the receipt and delivery of services, as well as for those who study their effects.http://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/hai.2024.0003animal-assisted interventionsanimal-assisted servicesanimal-assisted therapyanimal-assisted activitiesanimal-assisted treatmentanimal-assisted education |
| spellingShingle | Amy Johnson Binder Nancy Parish-Plass Meg Kirby Melissa Winkle Daniela Plesa Skwerer Laura Ackerman Cindy Brosig Wendy Coombe Esther Delisle Marie-Jose Enders-Slegers Jo-Ann Fowler Laura Hey Tiffani Howell Michael Kaufmann Mariana Kienast Miyako Kinoshita Debbie Ngai Brigitte Wijnen Recommendations for uniform terminology in animal-assisted services (AAS) Human-Animal Interactions animal-assisted interventions animal-assisted services animal-assisted therapy animal-assisted activities animal-assisted treatment animal-assisted education |
| title | Recommendations for uniform terminology in animal-assisted services (AAS) |
| title_full | Recommendations for uniform terminology in animal-assisted services (AAS) |
| title_fullStr | Recommendations for uniform terminology in animal-assisted services (AAS) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Recommendations for uniform terminology in animal-assisted services (AAS) |
| title_short | Recommendations for uniform terminology in animal-assisted services (AAS) |
| title_sort | recommendations for uniform terminology in animal assisted services aas |
| topic | animal-assisted interventions animal-assisted services animal-assisted therapy animal-assisted activities animal-assisted treatment animal-assisted education |
| url | http://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/hai.2024.0003 |
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