Animal-Assisted Therapy
Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is an alternative or complementary type of therapy that involves animals as a form of treatment. The goal of AAT is to improve a patient's social, emotional, or cognitive functioning. Advocates state that animals can be useful for educational and motivational effectiveness for participants. In a variety of settings such as prisons, nursing homes, mental institutions, animals are used to assist people with different disabilities. The most commonly used types of AAT are canine-assisted therapy and equine-assisted therapy. AAT is especially helpful in reducing the symptoms of psychological disorders, but most of the effects only last for a short period.
Wilson's (1984) biophilia hypothesis is based on the premise that our attachment to and interest in animals stems from the strong possibility that human survival was partly dependent on signals from animals in the environment indicating safety or threat. The biophilia hypothesis suggests that now, if we see animals at rest or in a peaceful state, this may signal to us safety, security and feelings of well-being which in turn may trigger a state where personal change and healing are possible. A contrast is sometimes made with Animal assisted activity (AAA). AAA is more casual and unstructured than AAT, involving perhaps more than one patient and with the primary focus on the presence of the animal itself. By contrast, AAT includes a handler which together with the animal has been trained for the role. AAT is more structured with specific objectives for each session. However, in common usage terms like these for animal assisted interventions are often used rather loosely.
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Matching Animal-Assisted Therapy Colleges
Carroll College
Four or more years; Private not for profit; $33,500 average out-state tuition; $33,500 average in-state tuition |
Wilson College
Four or more years; Private not for profit; $23,745 average out-state tuition; $23,745 average in-state tuition |
Tri-County Community College
At least 2 but less than 4 years; Public; $8,448 average out-state tuition; $2,304 average in-state tuition |
Prescott College
Four or more years; Private not for profit; $28,896 average out-state tuition; $28,896 average in-state tuition |
Aurora University
Four or more years; Private not for profit; $23,260 average out-state tuition; $23,260 average in-state tuition |
SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill
Four or more years; Public; $16,320 average out-state tuition; $6,670 average in-state tuition |
Lake Erie College
Four or more years; Private not for profit; $29,426 average out-state tuition; $29,426 average in-state tuition |
Scholarships for Animal-Assisted Therapy Majors
Edith Nourse Rogers STEM ScholarshipU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs |
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award Up to $30,000 |
deadline Varies |
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Brave of Heart ScholarshipNew York Life Foundation and Cigna Foundation |
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award Up to $50,000 |
deadline October 05, 2022 |
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BetterHelp Future of Mental Health ScholarshipBetterHelp |
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award $10,000 |
deadline September 01, 2022 |
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Wilma Davis Memorial STEM ScholarshipUNCF, Inc |
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award $5,000 |
deadline August 15, 2022 |
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Military Spouse ScholarshipWestern Governors University |
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award Up to $4,000 |
deadline Varies |
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Donohue Family SkillPointe ScholarshipSkillPointe Foundation |
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award $2,000 |
deadline Varies |
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Haffizulla Family ScholarshipAmerican Medical Women's Association Foundation |
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award $2,000 |
deadline December 31, 2022 |
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SkillPointe Monthly Scholarship for Technical and Vocational TrainingSkillPointe Foundation |
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award $1,000 |
deadline Varies |
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Dr. Charles Lee, O.D. Memorial Scholarship - Palmdale West Kiwanis Club (Osher)Antelope Valley College |
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award Up to $1,000 |
deadline Varies |
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Murse World ScholarshipMurse World, Inc. |
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award $1,000 |
deadline January 15, 2023 |
Animal-Assisted Therapy Related Majors
- Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies
- Physical Therapy/Therapist
- Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences
- Medicine
- Pharmacy
- Athletic Training/Trainer
- Dental Hygiene/Hygienist
- Physician Associate/Assistant
- Pre-Nursing Studies
- Health/Health Care Administration/Management
- Occupational Therapy/Therapist
- Dentistry
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician
- Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer
- Public Health
- Pre-Pharmacy Studies
- Pre-Dentistry Studies
- Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage
- Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist
- Dental Assisting/Assistant