Animal Assisted Interactions for Youth and Adolescent Mental Health: Historic versus Contemporary Conceptions of the Human Animal Bond

The purpose of this study is to understand the historic and contemporary relationships between humans and animals within Animal Assisted Interactions (AAI) and the contemporary use of animals for assisted mental health interventions. Online research in addition to in depth interviews with the executive directors of the four main AAI registration organizations were conducted and categorized according to specific criteria in regards to organizational process and perspectives. Questions examined organizational values of the human animal bond within handler-animal selection, training and evaluation in addition the human animal relationship within mental health settings. Results examine commonalities and differences between themes within historic conceptions of the human animal bond and its presence today within the organizational process of handler-animal registration and mental health interventions. Discussion provides analysis of limitations within the field of AAI and areas for growth.