Understanding the role of the animal in animal-assisted therapy: A qualitative study

This study demonstrates that the role of the therapy animal is complex and tightly linked to the relational aspect of human-animal interactions. It shows their presence is valuable even when the animals are not directly involved in therapeutic interventions. The challenge of balancing training and socialising the animals and allowing them to display natural behaviours is highlighted. The findings are discussed in the broader context of existing AAT research and theories, considering clinical implications and directions for future research.