Animal Assisted Therapy

Animal-assisted therapy brings a trained animal — most often a dog — into structured therapeutic work, using the calming, non-judgemental presence of the animal to help people engage with therapy who might otherwise find it hard to open up. The animal isn't incidental; sessions are designed around interacting with it.

It's particularly effective with children, people with trauma histories, and anyone who finds pure conversation-based therapy difficult to enter — the animal's presence can lower anxiety and build trust faster than talking alone. Practitioners combine this with an underlying therapeutic approach (often person-centred or play-based).

Practitioners listed with ABCAP have verified training, insurance, and appropriate animal welfare and safeguarding standards for this way of working.

2 Therapists Found
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Michael McArdle

Accredited Member
Verified
Verified by it's Owner
Popular
  • Longford, Ireland
    • Sessions offered : Face-to-Face, Online, Phone
    Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Animal Assisted Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy, Group Therapy, Integrative Therapy, Life Coaching, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Men's Health Therapy, Person-Centred Therapy, Play Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Humanistic
Author Image

Clémence de Juglart

Accredited Member
Verified
Verified by it's Owner
Popular
  • Parson's Green, London, United Kingdom
    • Sessions offered : Face-to-Face, Online, Phone
    Animal Assisted Therapy, Integrative Therapy, Play Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Humanistic

ABCAP is not a regulatory body. Listing in the ABCAP directory is not an endorsement of a therapist's competence, fitness to practise, or conduct. We recommend verifying a therapist's qualifications and professional body membership directly before booking a session.

Frequently asked questions

Is this just spending time with an animal?

No — it's structured therapy with clear goals, where the animal is a deliberate tool for engagement and trust-building rather than the therapy itself.

Who is animal-assisted therapy particularly good for?

Children, people with trauma histories, and anyone who finds it hard to engage with conversation-only therapy — the animal often lowers the emotional barrier to starting.

Am I allergic-safe or is this only for animal lovers?

Ask the practitioner directly about allergies and comfort with animals before booking — a good therapist will check this is the right fit before you begin.