Winner of the Dog Writers Association of America 2018 Maxwell Award, as the best

book in the Human-Animal Bond category.

Animal Assisted Play Therapy

Risë VanFleet and Tracie Faa-Thompson

This book is the culmination of the authors’ combined 75 years of experience working with animals as a part of
their therapeutic practice. Professional practitioners, as well as the paraprofessionals who work in tandem with
them, will find this book of enormous value. While the focus is on mental health professionals, the approach and
methods covered can easily be adapted for use by allied health professionals, such as physical, occupational,
speech, and recreational therapists as well as those in the educational field such as teachers and school
counselors. Animal Assisted Play Therapy®(AAPT) adds the elements of playfulness, humor, and lightness to the
therapeutic process, and can be helpful for clients of all ages. It focuses heavily on relationships: how the
relationship between therapist and animal must be developed in positive, mutually respectful ways in which the
animals have a voice and choice whenever possible. This in turn provides a model for clients to help them
strengthen their own relationships, not only with therapy animals and their own companion animals, but within
the human relationships in their families and communities. The authors demonstrate how the techniques can be
readily applied for dogs, horses, cats, and other animals. Many illustrative case examples are included.

ISBN: 9781568872179 Professional Resource Press, 2017, 424 pages

Reviews

It is difficult to capture in a few words, just how good this book is. This text is a truly extraordinary and compelling
synthesis of theory, practice and fundamental principles, written in an easy to understand style, by two authors
who clearly have a love for what they do and who want to promote scientific and compassionate practice with
animal assisted interventions. The book is essential reading not just for those with an interest in the professional
practice of Animal Assisted Play Therapy, but also for anyone more broadly interested in how animals can enrich
our lives and wider society. This book will clearly be a classic in its field.
--Prof Daniel S. Mills BVSc PhD CBiol FRSB FHEA CCAB Dip ECAWBM(BM) FRCVS
European & RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine
School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, UK

Animal Assisted Play Therapy presents a comprehensive approach to the inclusion of animals in psychotherapy
in general, and play therapy in particular. The book goes beyond describing the inclusion of animals in sessions to
describe the nature of the relationship between the animal, the therapist and the client. Extensive attention is paid
to the competencies the therapist must have in order to engage in AAPT as well as guidance in selecting and
training animals. One of the most unique aspects of the book is the degree to which it focuses on the welfare of
the animal as essential to both ethical practice and to the success of any AAPT intervention. The book is engaging
and the writers’ style is very reader-friendly, making the concepts accessible to those new to the field as well as
seasoned practitioners. There are many anecdotes and clinical examples which are both illustrative and clinically
useful. The research on the involvement of animals in therapy is well represented and all of the material well
referenced. Overall, the book is an excellent resource and a wonderful addition to the literature on a rapidly
growing intervention.
--Kevin O’Connor, PhD, ABPP, RPT-S, Cofounder/Director Emeritus, Association for Play Therapy
Distinguished Professor, CA School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University

Dr. Risë VanFleet and Tracie Faa-Thompson have partnered to provide a definitive guide to the implementation of
Animal Assisted Play Therapy. Bringing a combined wealth of knowledge and experience with dogs, horses, and
human mental health, they provide a scientifically-based but practical outline to the field of animal assisted
interventions. While providing a good argument for the importance of having sound human clinical skills before
adding an animal component to therapy, they also emphasize the well-being of all animals involved. In selecting
and training their animal partners to designing interventions that will most benefit their clients, they are always
cognizant and respectful of the effect of this work on the animals themselves. In this time of increased interest and
recognition of animal assisted therapy, practitioners should look out for the well-being of all who are involved in
these complex interactions. It is refreshing to know that there is a good resource that can guide them in this pursuit.
--Nancy Dreschel, DVM, PhD, Instructor of Companion Animal Science, Researcher, Pennsylvania State University
Professionals in the field of animal-assisted interactions have long sought an experience- and science-based text.
This is it. The authors provide comprehensive information across the treatment spectrum, from choosing an animal
through working with that partner to the end of that partner’s career. The reader is challenged to look closely at
his/her own work. Practicing empathy and respect for animals as well as clients is artfully woven into every chapter.
This book needs not only to be on the shelf, but also to be read by every human healthcare professional who work
with..animals.
--Ann R. Howie, LICSW, ACSW, author of Teaming with Your Therapy Dog; CEO, Human-Animal Solutions, PLLC

This book by the pioneers of Animal Assisted Play Therapy (AAPT) is by far the most comprehensive, detailed, and
practical guide for practitioners and students in the field. The wealth of experience of the authors informs every
section of this book. It is well-organized, written in a lively, humorous, and readable style and will serve as a unique
reference..for..AAPT..for..years..to..come.
--David A. Crenshaw, PhD, ABPP, Author and Co-Editor of Play Therapy: A Comprehensive Guide to Theory and
Practice...(and..others);..Clinical..Director..of..Children’s..Home..of..Poughkeepsie..(NY)

Animal Assisted Play Therapy is an encyclopedic and clearly written book that surely will set the standard for many
years to come. Weaving in wonderful stories and case studies with available scientific data, Risë VanFleet and
Tracie Faa-Thompson have written a comprehensive and wide-ranging volume—a detailed practical guide—that
is a must-read for everyone who is involved in any type of animal assisted therapy. It’s impossible to cover all of
the areas that are discussed in great detail, so here are a few snippets that should whet readers’ appetites for
learning more about the numerous areas the authors cover. These include recognizing the importance of play for
both humans and nonhumans that makes therapy more enjoyable and enriching for all participants, paying very
close attention to the animals’ point of view and well-being as a voluntary partner in therapy rather than as a non-
consenting co-therapist, and being sure there is a good fit in the personalities of the humans and the nonhumans
between whom a deep reciprocal partnership is formed. I learned an incredible amount from reading and rereading
sections of this landmark book, and it’s easy to see how it will remain the significant go-to reference for people
practicing..animal..assisted..therapy..for..many..years..to..come.
--Marc Bekoff, PhD, author of The Emotional Lives of Animals and The Animals’ Agenda: Freedom, Compassion,
and Coexistence in the Human Age (and others)

About the Authors

Risë VanFleet, PhD, RPT-S, CDBC, is a licensed psychologist, registered play therapist-supervisor, and
certified dog behavior consultant with 45 years of experience in the mental health, organizational development,
and animal behavior fields. She is the president of the Family Enhancement & Play Therapy Center and its Playful
Pooch Program in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania USA, and a cofounder of the International Institute for Animal
Assisted Play Therapy™. She provides professional training in mental health throughout the world as well as direct
services to families. She is the author of dozens of articles, chapters, and books (e.g., Child-Centered Play Therapy;
Filial Therapy: Strengthening Parent-Child Relationships Through Play; Play Therapy with Kids & Canines; The
Human Half of Dog Training, and more), as well as DVDs and online courses. She has received numerous state,
national, and international awards for her writing and training, including the Distinguished Contributions to the
Science and Profession of Psychology Award (Pennsylvania Psychological Association), and several Maxwell
Awards and Special Awards (Dog Writers Association of America). She currently lives with four dogs, three cats,
and one husband.
Tracie Faa-Thompson, MA (Soc/Crim), AASW, PGdipNDPT, is a specialist social worker in the
adoption field and a British Association of Play Therapists registered nondirective play therapist with many years
of experience. She also teaches social work students and conducts workshops in attachment theory, life story
work, and Filial Therapy. Her AAPT program, Turn About Pegasus, serves at-risk youth and families and operates
year-round in rural north Northumberland in the UK. The program has been featured by the BBC. She is a
cofounder of the International Institute for Animal Assisted Play Therapy™. She was the founder, and for over 20
years the Chair, of her local Riding for the Disabled Centre. She has authored numerous articles and chapters on
AAPT and Filial Therapy, and is a recipient of the Outstanding Contributions to the Practice and Training of Filial
Therapy Award (Family Enhancement & Play Therapy Center). She currently lives with five horses, four dogs, and
one husband.

Table of Contents
DEDICATION • ACKNOWLEDGMENTS • FOREWORD BY AUBRY H. FINE • FOREWORD BY PATRICIA MCCONNELL
• PREFACE • PART I: THE FIELD OF ANIMAL ASSISTED PLAY THERAPY® • Chapter 1 ‒ BEGINNINGS The Making of
a Play Therapy Dog (Risë) / Horses in Play Therapy (Tracie) / A Partnership for AAPT Chapter 2 ‒ DEFINITIONS Is It
Magic? / Animal Assisted Play Therapy®: Definition and Overview / Applications of AAPT / Case Illustrations
Chapter 3 ‒ BACKGROUND, PRINCIPLES, AND GOALS Animal Emotions and the Human-Animal Bond / Animal-
Assisted Therapy / Play and Play Therapy / Integration of AAT and Play Therapy / AAPT Guiding Principles /
Psychotherapy Theories in AAPT / Goal Areas of AAPT Chapter 4 ‒ DOGS AND HORSES The Original “Play
Therapists”: The Case for Canines / Why Horses? The Case for Equines Chapter 5 ‒ RELATIONSHIPS: THE
CORNERSTONE OF THE AAPT APPROACH Relationship / What Is a Relationship? / What Does the Therapist-Animal
Relationship Look Like in AAPT? / Summary PART II: PREPARATION FOR AAPT WORK • Chapter 6 ‒ OVERVIEW
OF COMPETENCIES Therapist Competencies for AAPT / Preparation of Animals for AAPT Chapter 7 ‒ THERAPIST
COMPETENCIES Therapy Skills / Play Therapy Competence / Animal Behavior / Animal Handling / Split Attention
/ Facilitating Client-Animal Interactions / Ethics and Welfare / Relationship Chapter 8 ‒ ANIMAL PREPARATION
FOR AAPT Selection of Animals / Socialization / Positive Training / Clear Communication / Environment /
Relationship Chapter 9 ‒ BUILDING THE THERAPIST-ANIMAL RELATIONSHIP Creating a Relationship / Taking the
Animal’s Perspective / Learn About the Species / Learn About the Species’ Body Language / Starting Off with a
Relationship-Focused Attitude / Other Ways to Nurture Therapist-Animal Relationships Chapter 10 ‒ PRACTICAL
MATTERS Practical Considerations When Starting / The Environment for AAPT / How Much Should Animals Work?
PART III: ANIMAL ASSISTED PLAY THERAPY® IN ACTION • Chapter 11 ‒ GETTING STARTED. Treatment Planning /
Consent / Client Preparation / Introducing Clients to the Animals Chapter 12 ‒ FOUNDATIONS OF AAPT
INTERVENTIONS Therapeutic Powers of Play / Ways of Incorporating Playfulness / Levels of Structure in AAPT
Chapter 13 ‒ APPLICATIONS OF AAPT Nondirective AAPT / Directive AAPT (Goals Areas 1-5) Chapter 14 ‒
THERAPEUTIC PROCESSING IN AAPT Nondirective AAPT Processing / Directive AAPT Processing / The Unexpected
/ Debriefing Process in Group and Family AAPT Chapter 15 ‒ TRANSITIONS AND ENDINGS Client Transitions /
Animal Transitions PART IV: PROFESSIONAL ISSUES, ETHICS, AND WELFARE • Chapter 16 ‒ ANIMAL WELFARE
Animal Welfare in AAI and AAPT / Specific Practices / Animal Welfare During Stressful Client Breakthroughs /
Broader Actions for Animal Welfare Chapter 17 ‒ PROFESSIONAL ISSUES AND ETHICS Boundaries of Practice /
Supervision / Split Attention / Anthropomorphism / Countertransference / Mental Health Interventions by
Nontherapists Chapter 18 ‒ RESEARCH AND RESOURCES Related Research In Brief / AAPT Research / Research on
AAPT and Therapist Self-Efficacy / Resources / The Future REFERENCES