IRB Number

25-0722-064

Date of Award

Fall 12-18-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

First Advisor

Karen Menard, PhD, OT

Second Advisor

Michelle McCraney, EdD

Third Advisor

Kathy Wood, PhD

Abstract

The implementation of animal-assisted therapy requires professionals to establish competencies and work with animals that possess specific characteristics and have undergone specialized training. Researchers noted a lack of uniform guidelines for practicing animal-assisted therapy in occupational therapy. The Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals recently developed a set of competencies for the safe and ethical inclusion of animals in professional settings, with a section in the appendix specifically tailored to occupational therapy. Although extensive research was conducted to develop these competencies, there is little research on their application to practice. The identified problem was the lack of research to guide the implementation of evidence-informed guidelines, such as competencies for the safe and ethical incorporation of animals into occupational therapy practice. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the experiences of occupational therapists with the Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals’ Competencies. Ten occupational therapists participated in peer-reviewed semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis led to three themes and one subtheme. The results indicated that occupational therapists could utilize the competencies as both a framework for the safe and successful incorporation of animals into occupational therapy practice and as an educational tool at various points in their professional journey. It should also be recognized that developing competency in this area is a complex and individualized process. Ultimately, stakeholders within organizations that incorporate animals should understand the complexities of incorporating therapy animals safely and provide the necessary support to occupational therapists who include animals in their work.

Cited References

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. (2025, August). 2023 Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®) standards and interpretive guide: August 2025 version. https://acoteonline.org/accreditation-explained/standards/

Agger, C., Canal, A., Larmond, J., Fisher, M., & Porter, H. (2025). Effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy in improving PTSD symptoms among children. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, LIX(1), 132–137.https://doi.org/10.18666/TRJ-2025-V59-I1-12517

Ahmed, S. K. (2024a). How to choose a sampling technique and determining sample size for research: A simplified guide for researchers. Oral Oncology Reports, 12, Article 100662. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oor.2024.100662

Ahmed, S. K. (2024b). The pillars of trustworthiness in qualitative research. Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health, 2, Article 100051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.glmedi.2024.100051

American Humane Society. (2016, October 17). Five freedoms: The gold standard of animal welfare.https://www.americanhumane.org/blog/five-freedoms-the-gold-standard-of-animal-welfare/

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2020). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process (4th ed.). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(Suppl. 2), 7412410010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.74S2001

American Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.). Human-animal interaction and the human-animal bond.https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/human-animal-interaction-and-human-animal-bond

Applebaum, J. W., McDonald, S. E., & Zsembik, B. A. (2023). Longitudinal associations between allostatic load, pet ownership, and socioeconomic position among U.S. adults 50+. Population Health, 21, Article 101344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101344

Arsovski, D. (2024). The role of animal-assisted therapy in the rehabilitation of mental health disorders: A systematic literature review. Perspectives on Integrative Medicine, 3(3), 142–151. https://doi.org/10.56986/pim.2024.10.003

Assistance Dogs International. (n.d.-a). ADI terms and definitions. https://assistancedogsinternational.org/resources/adi-terms-definitions/

Assistance Dogs International. (n.d.-b). Public Access Laws in the United States. https://assistancedogsinternational.org/resources/public-access-laws-united-states/

Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals. (n.d.). Terminology.https://aaaip.memberclicks.net/terminology

Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals. (2024). Competencies for the ethical inclusion of therapy and facility animals: Guidance for the certified AAI specialist, therapy animal team, and their assessor. https://www.aaaiponline.org/assets/docs/AAAIPCompetencies.pdf

Atherton, G., Edisbury, E., Piovesan, A., & Cross, L. (2023). "They ask no questions and pass no criticism": A mixed methods study exploring pet ownership in autism. Journal of Autism Developmental Disorders, 53, 3280–3294.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-022-05622-y

Bandura, A. (1989). Social cognitive theory. In R. Vasta (Ed.), Six theories of child development (pp. 1-60). Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Baird, R., Berger, E., & Grové, C. (2023). Therapy dogs and school well-being: A qualitative study. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 68, 15-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2023.08.005

Barker, S. B., & Gee, N. R. (2021). Canine-assisted interventions in hospitals: Best practices for maximizing human and canine safety. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8, Article 615730. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.615730

Bazen, A., Barg, F. K., & Takeshita, J. (2021). Research techniques made simple: An introduction to qualitative research. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 141(2), 241–247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jid.2020.11.029

Belanger, B., Weeks, O., Suiters, A., & Arthur, P. (2023). The role of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in neurocognitive disorder group interventions: Benefits for participants and care partners. Home Health Care Management & Practice, 35(3), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1177/10848223231166372

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Bultas, M. W., & Rittiwong, T. (2023). Evaluation of dog presence as a therapeutic classroom intervention. Journal of Nursing Education, 62(6), 355–358. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20230404-04

Burr, M., & Le, C. (2025). The role of animals in pediatric occupational therapy telehealth interventions: A survey of therapist perspectives. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 45(5), 804-817. https://doi.org/10.1080/01942638.2025.2486116

Burr, M., & Wittman, P. (2020). The influence of a therapy dog on a pediatric therapy organization: A mini ethnography. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 38, Article, 101083, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2019.101083

Campbell, S., Greenwood, M., Prior, S., Shearer, T., Walkem, K., Young, S., Bywaters, D., & Walker, K. (2020). Purposive sampling: Complex or simple? Research case examples. Journal of Research in Nursing, 25(8), 652–661. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987120927206

Carcary, M. (2020). The research audit trail: Methodological guidance for application in practice. The Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods, 18(2), 166–177. https://doi.org/10.34190/JBRM.18.2.008

Chapin, J. R., Coleman, G. A., & Brayack, M. (2025). It’s all about the Ruff: Utilizing therapy dogs to address trauma in domestic violence settings. People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 8(1), 1–16. https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/paij/vol8/iss1/3

Chapman, R. L., Baselmans, C., Howell, T. J., Ronken, C., & Butler, D. (2024). Exploring the benefits of dog-assisted therapy for the treatment of complex trauma in children: A systematic review. Children, 11(8), Article 1017. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11081017

Chastain Griffin, T., Fine, A., Stewart, L., & Ruegg, E. (2024, August 27). Competencies for the ethical inclusion of therapy and facility animals mini conference. [Conference presentation]. The Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals, online. https://www.aaaiponline.org

Chastain Griffin, T., Steward, L., & Fry, E. N. (2025). Standards of practice in animal-assisted interventions. In A. Fine, M. Mueller, Z. Ng, T. Chastain Griffin, & P. Tedeschi (Eds.), Handbook on animal-assisted therapy (6th ed., pp. 97–109). Academic Press: An Imprint of Elsevier.

Cheung, K. K. C., & Tai, K. W. H. (2023). The use of intercoder reliability in qualitative interview data analysis in science education. Research in Science and Technological Education, 41(3), 1155-1175. https://doi.org/10.1080/02635143.2021.1993179

Christian, H., Mitrou, F., Cunneen, R., & Zubrick, S. R. (2020). Pets are associated with fewer peer problems and emotional symptoms, and better prosocial behavior: Findings from the longitudinal study of Australian children. The Journal of Pediatrics, 220, 200–206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.01.012

Clark, S. D., Martin, F., McGowan, R. T. S., Smidt, J. M., Anderson, R., Wang, L., Turpin, L., Langenfeld-McCoy, N., Bauer, B. A., & Mohabbat, A. B. (2020). The impact of a 20-minute animal-assisted activity session on the physiological and emotional states in patients with fibromyalgia. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 95(11), 2442–2461. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.04.037

Coakley, A. B., Annese, C. D., Empoliti, J. H., & Flanagan, J. M. (2021). The experience of animal-assisted therapy on patients in an acute care setting. Clinical Nursing Research 30(4), 401–405. https://doi.org/10.1177/1054773820977198

Coffman, A. N., Bernstein, E. R., Davies, S. C., & Justice, A. F. (2023). The impact of a canine-assisted reading program on readers needing extra practice. The Reading Teacher, 76(6), 724–734. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.2192

Cole, R. (2024). Inter-rater reliability methods in qualitative case study research. Sociological Methods and Research 53(4), 1944-1975. https://doi.org/10.1177/00491241231156971

Cooke, E., Henderson-Wilson, C., Warner, E., & LaMontagne, A. (2023). Animal-assisted interventions in universities: A scoping review of implementation and associated outcomes. Health Promotion International, 38(3), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daac001

Cortesi, B. C., Palestrini, C., Buttram, D., Mazzola, S., & Cannas, S. (2025). Stress and burnout in dogs involved in animal-assisted interventions: A survey of Italian handler’s opinions. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 78, 63–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2025.02.006

Darling, S., Wanser, S. H., Jiang, D., Schuna, J. M., Jr., Udell, M. A. R., & MacDonald, M. (2024). Unleashing potential: Boosting physical activity in children with developmental disabilities with a family-dog-assisted intervention. Human Animal Interactions, 12(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2024.0009

Dedoose. (n.d.-a). Meet Dedoose: Great research made easy. https://www.dedoose.com/

Dedoose. (n.d.-b). Testing center (IRR using Cohen’s Kappa). https://helpdesk.dedoose.com/hc/en-us/articles/12905437600269-Testing-Center-IRR-using-Cohen-s-Kappa

de la Fuente, J., Kauffman, D. F., & Boruchovitch, E. (2023). Editorial: Past, present, and future contributions from social cognitive theory (Albert Bandura). Frontiers in Psychology, 14, Article 1258249. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1258249

Dell, C., Kosteniuk, B., Doi, C., Townsend, C., Cook, A., Chalmers, D., & Butt, P. (2024). The role of the human-canine bond in recovery from substance use disorder: A scoping review and narrative synthesis. Human Animal Interactions, 12(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2024.0038

Dimolareva, M., & Dunn, T. J. (2021). Animal-assisted interventions for school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51, 2436–2449. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04715-w

Dixon, D., Jones, C., & Green, R. (2025). Understanding the role of the animal in animal-assisted therapy: A qualitative study. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 60, Article 101983.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2025.101983

Dollion, N., Poirier, M., Auffret, F., Francois, N., Plusquellec, P., & Grandgeorge, M., Chiens, H., & Mira, F. (2024). Effects of service dogs on children with ASD’s symptoms and parents’ well-being: On the importance of considering those effects with a more systemic perspective. PLOS One. 19(1), Article e0295702. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0295702

Dunlap, K. B., Miller, K. D., & Kinney, J. S. (2021). Recreational therapists’ practice, knowledge, and perceptions associated with animal-assisted therapy. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 55(4), 384–398. https://doi.org/10.18666/TRJ-2021-V55-I4-11058

Eccles, J. S., Adler, T. F., Futterman, R., Goff, S. B., Kaczala, C. M., Meece, J. L., & Midgley, C. (1983). Expectations, values, and academic behaviors. In: Spense, J. T. Perspective on achievement and achievement motivation. San Francisco, CA: W. H. Freeman, pp. 75–146.

Edwards, L., & Marshall, F. (2023). Animal-assisted therapy in neurorehabilitation inpatient units following acquired brain injury- A UK-based national survey of staff experiences and opinions. Advances in Integrative Medicine, 10(4), 172–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aimed.2023.10.004

Ein, N., Reed, M. J., & Vickers, K. (2021). The effect of dog videos on subjective and physiological responses to stress. Anthrozoos, 35(3), 463-482. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2021.1999606

Elliot, V. (2018). Thinking about the coding process in qualitative data analysis. The Qualitative Report, 23(11), 2850–2861. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2018.3560

Ernst, L. (2014). Review: Animal-assisted therapy: An exploration of its history, healing, benefits, and how skilled nursing facilities can set up programs. Annals of Long-Term Care. https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/altc/articles/animal-assisted-therapy-exploration-its-history-healing-benefits-and-how-skilled-nursing

Etheridge, H. (2021, July 7). Changing the world through AAI: The history of Pet Partners. Pet Partners. https://petpartners.org/changing-the-world-through-aai-the-history-of-pet-partners/

Etingen, B., Martinez, R. N., Smith, B. M., Hogan, T. P., Miller, L., Saban, K. L., Irvin, D., Jankowski, B., & Weaver, F. M. (2020). Developing an animal-assisted support program for healthcare employees. BMC Health Services Research, 20, Article 714. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05586-8

Farrand, K. M., & Jung, J. Y. (2025). Therapy dogs district-wide: Mental health and well-being influences in PK-12 education. Education Sciences, 15(7), Article 929. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15070929

Feng, Y., Lin, Y., Zhang, N., Jiang, X., & Zhang, L. (2021). Effects of animal-assisted therapy on hospitalized children and teenagers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 60, 11–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2021.01.020

Figueiredo, M. O., Alegretti, A. L., & Magalháes, L. (2021). Canine-assisted occupational therapy: A scoping review of the Brazilian literature. The Brazilian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 29, Article e2087. https://doi.org/10.1590/2526-8910.CTOAR2087

Fine, A. H., Beck, A. M., & Ng, Z. (2019). The state of animal-assisted interventions: Addressing the contemporary issues that will shape the future. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(20), Article 3997. https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fijerph16203997

Fine, A. H., & Chastain Griffin, T. (2022). Protecting animal welfare in animal-assisted intervention: Our ethical obligation. Seminars in Speech and Language, 43(1), 8-23. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1742099

Fralinger, C., Bolt, P. C., Bennett, C., & Craig, S. (2023). A pilot study of animal-assisted therapy was conducted in a student-run pro bono clinic. Journal of Student-Run Clinics, 9(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.59586/jsrc.v9i1.386

Friedman, E., Katcher, A. H., Lynch, J. J., & Thomas, S. A. (1980). Animal companions and one-year survival of patients after discharge from a coronary care unit. Public Health Reports, 95(4), 307–312. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1422527/

Fujisawa, H., & Yamamura, K. (2024). The impact of animal-assisted therapy on changes in autonomic nervous activity in terminal cancer patients. International Medical Journal, 31(6), 169–173.

Fung, S. (2019). Effect of canine-assisted read-aloud intervention on reading ability and physiological response: A pilot study. Animals, 9(8), Article 474. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9080474

Gee, N. R., Rodriguez, K. E., Fine, A. H., & Trammel, J. P. (2021). Dogs supporting human health and well-being: A biopsychosocial approach. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8, Article 630465. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.630465

Gee, N. R., & Wells, D. (2025). Examining the trajectory of human-animal interaction research: Past, present, and future. In A. Fine, M. Mueller, Z. Ng, T. Chastain Griffin, & P. Tedeschi (Eds.), Handbook on animal-assisted therapy(6th ed., pp. 83–94). Academic Press: An Imprint of Elsevier.

Glenk, L. M., & Foltin, S. (2021). Therapy dog welfare revisited: A review of the literature. Veterinary Sciences, 8(10), Article 226. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci8100226

Gomes, C. M. S., Vasconcelos, A. V. B., Santos, A. M. C., & Tokumaru, R. S. (2024). Efficacy of an animal-assisted therapy program in the development of children with Down syndrome. Anthroös, 37(6), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2024.2406096

Green, F. L. L., Dahlman, M. L., Lomness, A., & Binfet, J. -T. (2024). For the love of acronyms: An analysis of terminology and acronyms used in AAI research 2013-2023. Human Animal Interactions, 12(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2024.0024

Grové, C., Henderson, L., Lee, F., & Wardlaw, P. (2021). Therapy dogs in educational settings: Guidelines and recommendations for implementation. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8, Article 655104. https://10.3389/fvets.2021.655104

Haefelin, N., Lange, N., Sweigert, B., Yonto, M., & Rivardo, M. G. (2020). Anxiety reduction in college students after brief interaction with a therapy dog or animatronic dog. Journal of Psychology, 22(3), 411–426.

Hardie, S., Mai, D. L., & Howell, T. J. (2023). Social support and well-being in cat and dog owners, and the moderating influence of pet-owner relationship quality. Anthrozoös, 36(5), 891–907. https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2023.2182029

Harper, C. M., Dong, Y., Thornhill, T. S., Wright, J., Ready, J., Brick, G. W., & Dyer, G. (2015). Can therapy dogs improve pain and satisfaction after total joint arthroplasty? A randomized controlled trial. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 473(1), 372–379. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-014-3931-0

Harris, N. M., & Binfet, J.-T. (2022). Exploring children’s perceptions of an after-school canine-assisted social and emotional learning program: A case study. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 36(1), 78-95. https://doi.org/10.1080/02568543.2020.1846643

Henderson, L., Grové, C., Lee, F., Trainer, L., Schena, H., & Prentice, M. (2020). An evaluation of a dog-assisted reading program to support student well-being in primary school. Children and Youth Services Review, 118, Article 105449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105449

Hennink, M., & Kaiser, B. N. (2022). Sample sizes for saturation in qualitative research: A systematic review of empirical tests. Social Sciences and Medicine, 292, Article114523. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114523

Hill, J., Driscoll, C., Cawdell-Smith, J., Anderson, S., & Ziviani, J. (2023). Investigating dog welfare when interacting with autistic children within canine-assisted occupational therapy sessions: A single case study. Animals,13(12), Article 1965. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13121965

Hill, J., Driscoll, C., & Pearse, K. (2024). Animal-assisted services and occupational therapy within an Australian context: A survey study. People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 7(1), Article 7. https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/paij/vol7/iss1/7

Hill, J., Mensforth, S., Waldby, L., Fleming, J., Quinlan, T., & Driscoll, C. (2024). Canine-assisted occupational therapy for children within a student-led university clinic: The influence on child engagement from the perspectives of student and parent participants. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 44(3), 444–459. https://doi.org/10.1080/01942638.2023.2273281

Hill, J., Waldby, L., Quinlan, T., Fleming, J., Hoyle, M., & Driscoll, C. (2024). Australian university students’ experience of animal-assisted education: An exploratory study. Animals, 14(19), Article 2792. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14192792

Hill, J. R., Ziviani, J., & Driscoll, C. (2020a). Canine-assisted occupational therapy for children on the autism spectrum: Parents’ perspectives. Australian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 67, 427–436. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12659

Hill, J. R., Ziviani, J., & Driscoll, C. (2020b). “The connection just happens:” Therapist’s perspectives of canine-assisted occupational therapy for children on the autism spectrum. Occupational Therapy Australia, 67, 550–562.https://doi.org/10.1111%2F1440-1630.12680

Hill, J., Ziviani, J., Discroll, C., & Cawdell-Smith, J. (2020). Canine-assisted occupational therapy for children on the autism spectrum: Challenges in practice. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 83(4), 215–219. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0308022619858851

Hill, J., Ziviani, J., Driscoll, C., Teoh, A. L., Teoh, Chua, J. M., & Cawdell-Smith, J. (2020). Canine-assisted occupational therapy for children on the autism spectrum: A pilot randomized control trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50, 4106–4120. https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs10803-020-04483-7

Hinic, K., Kowalski, M. O., & Holtzman, K. & Mobus, K. (2019). The effect of a pet therapy and comparison intervention on anxiety in hospitalized children. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 46, 55–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2019.03.003

Hoy-Gerlach, J., Vincent, A., Scheuermann, B., & Ojha, M. (2022). Exploring benefits of emotional support animals (ESAs): A longitudinal pilot study with adults with serious mental illness (SMI). Human Animal Interaction Bulletin, 10(2), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2022.0016

Hunjan, U. G., & Jayasankara, K. R. (2023). Effect of animal-assisted therapy on depression, memory, attention, and emotional regulation. Human Research in Rehabilitation, 13(1), 120–129. http://dx.doi.org/10.21554/hrr.042314

Hüsgen, C. J., Scheffer-Peters, N. C., & Didden, R. (2022). A systematic review of dog-assisted therapy in children with behavioral and developmental disorders. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 6, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-022-00239-9

Jamieson, M. K., Govaart, G. H., & Pownall, M. (2023). Reflexivity in quantitative research: A rationale and beginner’s guide. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 17(4), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12735

Jennings, M. L., Granger, D. A., Bryce, C. I., Twitchell, D., Yeakel, K., & Teaford, P. A. (2021). Effect of animal assisted interactions on activity and stress response in children in acute care settings. Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology, 8, Article 100076. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpnec.2021.100076

Johnson, E. A., Survase, S., & Gray, P. B. (2023). Examining the impact of virtual animal stimuli on college students’ affect and perception of their academic advising experience. Animals, 13(9), 1522. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13091522

Jones, M. G., Filia, K., Rice, S., & Cotton, S. (2023). Guidance on minimum standards for canine-assisted psychotherapy in adolescent mental health: Delphi expert consensus on terminology, qualifications, and training. Human Animal Interactions, 11(1), 1-15, https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2023.0041

Júnior, J. P. B. (2022). Social desirability bias in qualitative health research. Rev Saude Publica, 56, Article 101. https://doi.org/10.11606/s1518-8787.2022056004164

Kakar, Z. U. H., Rasheed, R., Aamir, R., & Akhter, S. (2023). Criteria for assessing and ensuring trustworthiness in qualitative research. International Journal of Business Reflections, 4(2), 150–173. https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1386

Kerulo, G., Kargas, N., Millis, D. S., Law, G., VanFleet, R., Faa-Thompson, T., & Winkle, M. Y. (2020). Animal-assisted interventions: Relationship between standards and qualifications. People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 3(1), Article 4. https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/paij/vol3/iss1/4

Kirnan, J. P., Shapiro, A. R., Mistretta, A. J., Sellet, M., Fotinos, G., & Blair, B. (2024). Emotional support animals supporting college students’ mental health and well-being: A qualitative analysis exploring practices, policies, and perceptions. Journal of American College Health, 72(6), 1864-1875. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2022.2095871

Kivlen, C., Chargo, A., & DiZazzo-Miller, R. (2023). Animal-assisted intervention on college campuses: Graduate student perspectives regarding the need, benefits, and availability of programming. American Journal of Health Education, 54(5), 405–412. https://doi.org/10.1080/19325037.2023.2232836

Kivlen, C. A., Quevillon, A., & Pasquarelli, D. (2022). Should dogs have a seat in the classroom? The effects of canine-assisted education on college student mental health. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 10(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1816

Kivlen, C., Winston, K., Mills, D., DiZazzo-Miller, R., Davenport, R., & Binfet, J.-T. (2022). Canine-assisted intervention effects on the well-being of health science graduate students: A randomized controlled trial. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(6), Article 7606205120. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2022.049508

Kovács, K. E., Balough, E. Z., Lovas, B., Boris, P., & Nagy, B. E. (2024). The role of animal-assisted programs in the physical health improvement of children and adolescents with special education needs. BMC Public Health, 24,Article 824. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18326-y

Krittanawong, C., Kumar, A., Wang, Z., Jneid, H., Virana, S. S., & Levine, G. N. (2020). Pet ownership and cardiovascular health in the U.S. general population. The American Journal of Cardiology, 125(8), 1158–1161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2020.01.030

Laryeafio, M. N., & Ogbewe, O. C. (2022). Ethical consideration dilemma: Systematic review of ethics in qualitative data collection through interviews. Journal of Ethics in Entrepreneurship and Technology, 3(2), 94–110. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEET-09-2022-0014

Latella, D. M. (2003). Animals as a therapeutic modality: A curriculum model of occupational therapy (Publication No. 3079367)[Doctoral Dissertation, The University of Bridgeport]. Proquest LLC. https://www.proquest.com/openview/a1ca1968564191f3b54d8a4b03acbe56/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y

Lavín-Pérez, A. M., Martín-Sánchez, C., Martínez-Núñez, B., Lobato-Rincón, L. L., Villafaina, S., González-García, I., Mata-Cantero, A., Graell, M., Merellano-Navarro, E., & Collado-Mateo, D. (2021). Effects of dog-assisted therapy in adolescents with eating disorders: A study protocol for a pilot-controlled trial. Animals, 11, Article 2784. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11102784

Lee, H.-S., & Lee, J.-Y. (2024). Assessing the restorative effects of observing a video of dog play in urban parks using EEG. Human Animal Interactions, 12(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2024.0037

Legault, L. (2017, June). Self-determination theory. In V. Zeigler-Hill and T. Shackelford (Eds.), Encyclopedia of personality and individual differences (pp. 1–9). ResearchGate.

Lester, J. N., Cho, Y., & Lochmiller, C. R. (2020). Learning to do qualitative data analysis: A starting point. Human Resource Development Review, 19(1), 94–106. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534484320903890

Levinson, B. M. (n.d.). The dog as a “co-therapist.” The University of Michigan. https://www.sas.upenn.edu/~cavitch/pdf-library/Levinson_Dog_as_Cotherapist.pdf

Li, N., Ying, Y., Zhao, X., & Li, Y. (2023). The relationship between achievement motivation and college students’ general self-efficacy: A moderated mediation model. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1031912

Ligouri, G., Costagliola, A., Lombardi, R., Paciello, O., & Giordano, A. (2023). Human-animal interaction in animal-assisted interventions (AAI)s: Zoonosis risks, benefits, and future directions- A One Health approach. Animals, 13(10), Article 1592. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13101592

Liu, R., Jong, C., & Fan, M. (2024). Reciprocal relationship between self-efficacy and achievement in mathematics among high school students. International Educational Research Institute Journal, 12(14), https://doi.org/10.1186/s40536-024-00201-2

London, M. D., Mackenzie, L., Lovarini, M., Dickson, C., & Alvarez-Campos, A. (2020). Animal-assisted therapy for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: Parent perspectives. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50, 4492–4502. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04512-5

Lucero, K. S., & Moore, D. E., Jr. (2024). A systematic investigation of assessment scores, self-efficacy, and clinical practice: Are they related? Journal of CME, 13, Article 2420373. https://doi.org/10.1080/28338073.2024.2420373

Maran, D. A., Capitanelli, I., Cortese, C. G., Ilesanmi, O. S., Gianino, M. M., & Chirico, F. (2022). Animal-assisted intervention and healthcare worker’s psychological health: A systematic review of the literature. Animals, 12(3), Article 383. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12030383

Matijczak, A., Yates, M. S., Ruiz, M. C., Santos, L. R., Kazdin, A. E., & Raila, H. (2023). The influence of interactions with pet dogs on psychological distress. Emotion, 24(2), 3-84-396. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0001256

McDowall, S., Hazel, S. J., Cobb, M., & Hamilton-Bruce, A. (2023). Understanding the role of therapy dogs in human health promotion. The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(10), Article 5801. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20105801

McFalls-Steger, C., Zottarelli, L., & Patterson, D. (2024). Animal-assisted psychotherapy in the treatment of adults with depressive symptoms: A retrospective quasi-experimental study. Human Animal Interactions, 12(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2024.0008

McHugh, M. L. (2012). Interrater reliability: The kappa statistic. Biochemia Medica, 22(3), 276–282. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3900052/

McWatters, M. (2020). The effect of animal-assisted therapy on fine motor skill development. The Young Researcher, 4(1), 178–187. http://www.theyoungresearcher.com/papers/mcwatters.pdf

Meers, L. L., Contalbrigo, L., Samuels, W. E., Duarte-Gan, C., Berckmans, D., Laufer, S. J., Stevens, V. A., Walsh, E. A., & Normando, S. (2022). Canine-assisted interventions and the relevance of welfare assessments for human health, and zoonosis transmission: A literature review. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9, Article 899889. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.899889

Megna, M., & Bailie, K. (2025, January 2). Pet Ownership Statistics 2025. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/pet-ownership-statistics/#sources_section

Mercer, S. (2019). School-based dogs, their use and effectiveness: A phenomenological study. The Student-Teacher Perspectives Journal, 6(1), 38–58. https://ojs.cumbria.ac.uk/index.php/step/article/view/546

Merriam, S. M., & Tisdell, E. J. (2015). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation. John Wiley & Sons.

Miller, S. L., Serpell, J. A., Dalton, K. R., Waite, K. B., Morris, D. O., Redding, L. E., Dreshel, N. A., & Davis, M. F. (2022). Positive welfare characteristics and temperament in working therapy dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9, Article 844252. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.844252

Mittly, V., Fáy, V., Dankovics, N., Pál, V., & Purebl, G. (2024). The role of dog therapy in clinical recovery and improving quality of life: A randomized controlled trial. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 24, Article 229. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04538-7

Moe, A. M. (2024). “There’s a connection that is just beyond words”: A qualitative study of therapy dogs in a child trauma assessment center. People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 7(1), Article 5. https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/paij/vol7/iss1/5

Monfort, M., Benito, A., Haro, G., Fuertes-Saiz, A., Cañabate, M., & Baquero, A. (2022). The efficacy of animal-assisted therapy in patients with dual diagnosis: Schizophrenia and Addiction. The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(11), Article 6695. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116695

Mwita, K. (2022). Strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research in social science studies. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science, 11(6), 618-625. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v11i6.1920

Naik, S. S., Joshi, A., Winnier, J. J., Patil, D. D., Gore, P. J., & Mali, S. S. (2023). Evaluation of dental anxiety in children with Down’s syndrome using dog-assisted therapy: A pilot study. Journal of Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, 41(41), 322–327. https://doi.org/10.4103/jisppd.jisppd_493_23

Narad, M. E., Knestrick, K., Wade, S. L., Kurowski, B. G., McConnell, A. R., & Quatman-Yates, C. C. (2024). The feasibility and acceptability of integrating dogs into inpatient rehabilitation therapy with children with acquired brain injury. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 16(11), 1214–1222. https://doi.org/10.1002/pmrj.13176

Narayanan, A., Solamen, L., & Torres, C. (2023). Service and emotional support animals in pediatrics. Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Healthcare, 53(12), Article 101503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cppeds.2023.101503

Ng, Z., Chastain Griffin, T., & Braun, L. (2021). The new status quo: Enhancing access to human-animal interactions to alleviate social isolation and loneliness in the time of COVID-19. Animals, 11(10), Article 2769. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11102769

Ng, Z., Svensson, L., Souza, M., & Albright, J. (2024). Describing adverse events in an animal-assisted intervention organization: Recommendations for prevention and management. Human-Animal Interactions, 12(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2024.0011

Nieforth, L. O., Schwichtenberg, A. J., & O’Haire, M. E. (2021). Animal-assisted interventions for autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review of the literature from 2016-2020. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 10, 255-280. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-021-00291-6

O’Connor, C., & Joffe, H. (2020). Intercoder reliability in qualitative research: Debates and practical guidelines. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 19, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406919899220

Olmos-Vega, F. M., Stalmeijer, R. E., Varpio, L., & Kahlke, R. (2023). A practical guide to reflexivity in qualitative research: AMEE Guide No. 149. Medical Teacher, 45(3), 241–251. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159x.2022.2057287

Orlando, E. M., & Chin, B. N. (2025). Human-animal bonds and mental health: Examining the roles of bond strength, interactions, and attachment security. Human-Animal Interactions, 13(1), Article 005. https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2025.0005

Pandey, R. P., Gunjan, H., Mukherjee, R., & Chang, C. M. (2024). The role of animal-assisted therapy in enhancing patients’ well-being: Systematic study of the qualitative and quantitative evidence. JMIRx Med, 5, Article e517871. https://med.jmirx.org/2024/1/e51787

Parbery-Clark, C., Lubamba, M., Tanner, L., & McColl, E. (2021). Animal-assisted interventions for the improvement of mental health outcomes in higher education students: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(20), Article 10768.https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182010768

Pavelich, A. R., Dell, C. A., & De Groot, P. (2024). Exploring the role of service dogs for Canadian military veterans experiencing suicidality. Human-Animal Interactions, 12(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2024.0015

Peel, N., Nguyen, K., & Tannous, C. (2023). The impact of campus-based therapy dogs on the mood and affect of university students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(6), Article 4759. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20064759

Pongrácz, P. & Dobos, P. (2023). What is a companion animal? An ethological approach. Based on Tinbergen’s four questions. Critical review. Applied Animal Behavior Science, 267, Article 106055. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2023.106055

Porter, N., Bedell, G., Getzler, J., & Mueller, M. (2024). Informing modifications to social participation and navigation (SPAN) for adolescents with social anxiety incorporating pet dogs. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 12(2), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.2170

Prato-Previde, E., Ricci, E. B., & Colombo, E. S. (2022). The complexity of the human-animal bond: Empathy, attachment, and anthropomorphism in human-animal relationships and animal hoarding. Animals, 12(20), Article 2835. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12202835

Rahimi, S., & Khatooni, M. (2024). Saturation in qualitative research: An evolutionary concept analysis. The International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances, 6, Article 100174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnsa.2024.100174

Richardson, K., Mackenzie, L., Lovarini, M., & Dickson, C. (2022). Occupational therapy incorporating dogs for autistic children and young people: Parent perspectives. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 85(11), 859–868. https://doi.org/10.1177/03080226221086217

Rodriguez, K. E., Bibbo, J., Verdon, S., & O’Haire, M. E. (2020). Mobility and medical service dogs: A qualitative analysis of expectations and experiences. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 15(5), 499–509. https://doi.org/10.1080%2F17483107.2019.1587015

Rodríguez-Martínez, M. D., Maestre, A. D., Armenta-Peinado, J. A., Barbancho, M. A., & García-Casares, N. (2021). Evidence of animal-assisted therapy in neurological diseases in adults: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(24), Article 12882. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182412882

Romine, W. (2023). From in-person to virtual: A case study of an animal-assisted visiting program in a pediatric setting. People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 6(1), Article 2. https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/paij/vol6/iss1/2

Ruegg, E. (2024, September 15). The fascinating history of animal-assisted therapy. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/therapeutic-paws/202409/the-fascinating-history-of-animal-assisted-therapy

Schunk, D. (2020). Learning theories: An educational perspective (8th ed.). Pearson Education.

Serpell, J. A. (2019). Animal-assisted interventions in historical perspective. In A. Fine (Ed.), Handbook on Animal Assisted Therapy (5th ed., pp.13–22). Elsevier.

Shih, C., & Yang, M. (2023). Effect of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) on social interaction and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia during the COVID-19 pandemic: An experimental study. Asian Nursing Research, 17(1), 37–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anr.2023.01.002

Shih, H., Martin, F., Ness, D., Romine, W., Peck, T. L., Turpin, T., Horoschak, R., Steeby, C., Phillips, H., Claypool, M., Theuer, A., Herbeck, G. M., Sexton, J., Pittman, E., Bellamkonda, E., Mohabbat, N. M., Lyn, S. A., Bauer, B. A., & Mohabbat, A. B. (2025). Behavioral and physiological responses of therapy dogs to animal-assisted treatment in an inpatient stroke rehabilitation program. Animals, 15(2), Article 121. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15020121

Shoesmith, E., Gibsone, S., Bracher, E., Smolkovič, I., Jennings, K., Viles, L., Easton, K., & Ratschen, E. (2024). The impact of living with assistance dog placements on quality of life in children and adults with autism spectrum disorder or a physical disability: A longitudinal service evaluation. Human Animal Interactions, 12(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2024.0014

Shoesmith, E., Gibsone, S., & Ratschen, E. (2023). The impact of Covid-19 on animal-assisted interventions: Perceptions of UK animal-assisted intervention providers. Journal of Public Health, 45(2), e303-e308. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdac126

Shoesmith, E., Surr, C., & Ratschen, E. (2023). Animal-assisted and robotic animal-assisted interventions within dementia care: A systematic review. Dementia, 22(3), 664–693. https://doi.org/10.1177/14713012231155985

Shooten, A. V., Peters-Scheffer, N., Enders-Slegers, M., Verhagen, I., & Didden, R. (2024). Dog-assisted therapy in mental health care: A qualitative study on the experiences of patients with intellectual disabilities. Investigation in Health Psychology and Education, 14(3), 540–553. https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fejihpe14030036

Shue, S. J., Winkle, M. Y., & Mulcahey, M. J. (2018). Integration of animal-assisted therapy standards in pediatric occupational therapy. People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 1(1), Article 3, https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/paij/vol1/iss1/3

Simon, J. M., & McHugh, J. (2024). Incorporating animal-assisted therapy to improve handwriting skills in pediatric occupational therapy. Student Journal of Occupational Therapy, 4(2), 1-15.https://doi.org/10.46409/001.SRPU3923

Starkweather, M., Germain, A. E., & Kivlen, C. A. (2024). Pawsitive Purpose: The impact of autism assistance dogs on the occupations of autistic children. The Open Jonal of Occupational Therapy, 12(3), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.2219

Tahan, M., Saleem, T., Sadeghifar, A., & Ahangri, E. (2022). Assessing the effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy on alleviation of anxiety in pre-school children: A randomized controlled trial. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communication, 28, Article 100947. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conctc.2022.100947

Tanaka, K., Makino, H., Nakamura, K., Nakamura, A., Hayakawa, M., Uchida, H., Kasahara, M., Kato, H., & Igarashi, T. (2022). The pilot study of group robot intervention on pediatric inpatients and their caregivers, using “new Aibo.” European Journal of Pediatrics, 181, 1055–1061. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-021-04285-8

Tardif-Williams, C., Binfet, J.-T., Green, F. L. L., Godard, R. J. P., Singal, A., Rousseau, C. X., Roma, R. P. S., & Wilcox, A. (2025). Beyond campus context: Reducing stress among students and community members through virtual canine comfort modules. Human-Animal Interactions, 13(1), Article 0015. https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2025.0015

Tkatch, R., Wu, L., MacLeod, S., Ungar, R., Albright, L., Russel, D., Murphy, J., Schaeffer, J., & Yeh, C. S. (2021). Reducing loneliness and improving well-being among older adults with animatronic pets. Aging and Mental Health, 25(7), 1239–1245. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2020.1758906

Townsend, L., & Gee, N. R. (2021). Recognizing and mitigating canine stress during animal-assisted interventions. Veterinary Sciences, 8(11), Article 254. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci8110254

Trevathan-Minnis, M., Johnson, A., & Howie, A. (2021). Recommendations for transdisciplinary professional competencies and ethics for animal-assisted therapies and interventions. Veterinary Science, 8(12), Article 303. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci8120303

Trujillo, K. C., Kuo, G. T., Hull, M. L., Ingram, A. E., & Thurstone, C. C. (2020). Engaging adolescents: Animal-assisted therapy for adolescents with psychiatric and substance use disorders. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 29,307–314. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-019-01590-7

Vakrinou, P., & Tzonichaki, I. (2020). Animal-assisted therapy and occupational therapy. Health and Research Journal, 6(3), 85–92. https://doi.org/10.12681/healthresj.25152

VanderBloomen, M. (2022). Animal-assisted therapy in occupational therapy [White Paper]. The Association of Animal Assisted Intervention Professionals. https://aaaiponline.org/resource/animal-assisted-therapy-in-occupational-therapy-white-paper/

Van Der Steen, S., Douma, I., & Snippe, I. (2024). Effects of a reading dog programme on reading skills and task-related behaviour in special needs education. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 39(4), 648-657. https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2023.2273643

Vardy, E. J., Finka, L. R., & Sweeney, B. F. (2025). The inclusion of animals in educational settings: The educator’s perspectives. People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 8(1), Article 2. https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/paij/vol8/iss1/2

Vidal, R., Vidal, L., Lugo, J., Ristol, F., Domènec, E., Casas, T., Veiga, A., Vico, C., Ramos-Quiroga, J. A., & Gómez-Barros, N. (2024). Dog-assisted therapy vs. relaxation for children and adolescents with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 54, 3133–3141. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-023-06023-5

Vincent, A., Heima, M., & Farkas, K. J. (2020). Therapy dog support in pediatric dentistry: A social welfare intervention for reducing anticipatory anxiety and situational fear in children. Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal, 37, 615–629. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-020-00701-4

Volsche, S., & Sobol, S. (2025). Breaking boundaries: Interdisciplinary perspectives on One Welfare and the human-animal bond. Human Animal Interactions, 13(1), Article 0019. https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2025.0019

Wagner, C., Gaab, J., & Hediger, K. (2023). The importance of the treatment rationale for pain in animal-assisted interventions: A randomized controlled trial in healthy participants. The Journal of Pain, 24(6), 1080–1093. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2023.01.004

Williams, C., Emond, K., Maynord, K., Simpkins, J., Stumbo, A., & Terhaar, T. (2018). An animal-assisted intervention’s influence on graduate students’ stress and anxiety prior to an examination. Open Access Library Journal, 5, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1104831

Winkle, M., & Jacaruso, A. (2023). Embarking on the journey for animal-assisted therapy in OT. OT Practice, 28(5), 20-24. https://www.aota.org/publications/ot-practice/ot-practice-issues/2023/animal-assisted-therapy-in-ot

Winkle, M., Johnson, A., & Mills, D. (2020). Dog welfare, well-being, and behavior: Considerations for selection, evaluation, and suitability for animal-assisted therapy. Animals, 10(11), Article 2188. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10112188

Winsor, K., Silverstein, J., Theodore, L. A., Naik, A., & Shyman, E. (2022). Assessing the impact of animal-assisted occupational therapy on attention in preschoolers. Human- Animal Interaction Bulletin, 13(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2022.0007

World Federation of Occupational Therapists. (n.d.). About occupational therapy. https://wfot.org/about/about-occupational-therapy

Xiao, N., Vaishnavi, B., Yang, D., Huang, X., Zhong, L., Kiselev, S., Bolkov, M. A., Tuzankina, I. A., & Chereshnev, V. A. (2024). Effectiveness of animal-assisted activities and therapies for autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers, 11, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1403527

Yakimicki, M. L., Edwards, N. E., Richards, E., & Beck, A. M. (2019). Animal-assisted intervention and dementia: A systematic review. Clinical Nursing Research, 28(1), 9–29. https://doi.org/10.1177/1054773818756987

Yelvington, M., Spray, B., Bregy, F., Ramick, A., Lovenstein, A., & Walden, M. (2024). Impact of animal-assisted intervention on therapy engagement in hospitalized children with traumatic brain injuries. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1002/pmrj.13335

Younas, A., Fàbregues, S., Durante, A., Escalante, E. L., Inayat, S., & Ali, P. (2023). Proposing the “MIRACLE” narrative framework for providing thick description in qualitative research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069221147162

Previous Versions

Dec 16 2025

Download

Share

COinS