Animal-assisted therapy is an emerging field in the mental health profession. Previous research
indicates that animal-assisted therapy provides physical, physiological, and psychological health benefits for clients as well as professionals. This project will discuss the history of animalassisted therapy, health benefits of animal companionship and animal-assisted therapy, and
successful animal-assisted therapy programs in the United States. Ethical issues are addressed for professionals, clients, and animals. The purpose of this project is to educate the reader about the role animals play in humans’ lives and to propose an effective animal-assisted therapy program to incorporate into both individual and group therapy with specific populations.