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Effects of therapy canines on therapeutic alliance: A pilot study on client perceptions

Posted on:2016-03-25Degree:M.SType:Thesis
University:North Dakota State UniversityCandidate:Grueneich, Brea RachelleFull Text:PDF
GTID:2478390017977673Subject:Mental Health
Abstract/Summary:
While Animal Assisted Therapy is a more recent phenomena (Chandler, 2005, p. 5), AAT is quickly becoming an empirically supported treatment for a variety of mental health disorders (Perry, Rubinstein, & Austin, 2012). This study explored how client perceptions of their counselors change when a therapy canine is present in session. There is little research regarding client viewpoints on counselors who partner with therapy canines. Nine participants responded to a quantitative survey that was analyzed through non-parametric means. As was predicted, participants indicated more positive views of their counselors when a therapy canine was included in session. Findings suggest client perceptions of AAT reflected previously made claims by clinicians in the literature.
Keywords/Search Tags:Client
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