From ancient literature to modern fiction and research reports in professional literature, the bond between humans and animals has been extensively documented. Although 70% of American households would vouch for the benefits of companion animals, the decision about whether to implement animal-based interventions for mental disorders is not always a simple one. Unique both for its subject matter and for the depth of the information it provides, The Role of Companion Animals in the Treatment of Mental Disorders examines the existing evidence to support these practices as well as the risks associated with various types of programs. This volume combines a thorough analysis of the latest research with practical examples and explores topics that include • Ensuring animal welfare and well-being, with an emphasis on understanding applicable laws and regulations • Animal-assisted crisis interventions to prevent the onset of PTSD in individuals who have experienced significant traumas, such as natural disasters • Animal-assisted programs for youths at risk for mental disorders secondary to child maltreatment or contact with the juvenile justice system • Human-animal interaction (HAI) in specific disorders, including ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, depression, dementia, and anxiety • The application of HAIs in university campuses, hospital settings, and psychotherapy As applicable for trainees and residents as it is for experienced mental health professionals, this book offers a scientifically grounded review of extant knowledge while highlighting what is not yet known about animal-based interventions in particular patient groups. Readers will come away with an understanding of the role that animals can play in mitigating psychiatric symptoms, engaging patients in treatment, and enhancing well-being—as well as key principles and considerations for determining whether an animal-based intervention is appropriate for a given patient.

How Animals Help Students Learn summarizes what we know about the impact of animals in education and synthesizes the thinking of prominent leaders in research and practice. It's a much-needed resource for mental-health and education professionals interested in incorporating animals in school-based environments, one that evaluates the efficacy of existing programs and helps move the field toward evidence-based practice. Experts from around the world provide concrete examples of how animals have been successfully incorporated into classroom settings to achieve the highest level of benefit while also ensuring the health and welfare of the students and animals involved.

How Animals Help Students Learn summarizes what we know about the impact of animals in education and synthesizes the thinking of prominent leaders in research and practice. It's a much-needed resource for mental-health and education professionals interested in incorporating animals in school-based environments, one that evaluates the efficacy of existing programs and helps move the field toward evidence-based practice. Experts from around the world provide concrete examples of how animals have been successfully incorporated into classroom settings to achieve the highest level of benefit while also ensuring the health and welfare of the students and animals involved.

This book provides a multidisciplinary overview of the impact of human-animal interaction on well-being from childhood to later life. It presents a life course perspective to the study of human-animal interaction, addressing concepts of family and the role of pets therein, as well as the impact of companion animals on child development and successful aging. This book fills a gap in the existing literature by framing the study of human-animal interaction, including the role of animal-assisted interventions on well-being, in a broader social and behavioral context.

Our relationships with animals, as anyone with a beloved dog or cat knows, can be among the most significant in our lives. But why are we so attached to our pets? What kind of health, developmental, and psychological impacts do animals have on us? And what practical benefits - for animals and humans alike - can be gained from a deeper understanding of human-animal interactions? In this volume, a cross-disciplinary group of authors that includes behavioral psychologists, neuroscientists, geneticists, ethicists and veterinarians seek to understand human-animal interactions by applying research in the neurobiology and genetics that underlie human social functioning. Chapters describe the concepts and methodologies that social neuroscientists use to understand human social relationships, functioning, and the social bases of cognition, and apply these to understanding the role of animals in our lives. Authors present evolutionary and developmental perspectives, and weigh the implications of human-animal interactions research for animal welfare. Clinical applications include animal-assisted therapies for people with disabilities, acute or chronic health conditions, and social or emotional difficulties. Clear and accessible, this book is intended for a broad readership that includes clinicians, teachers, and anyone interested in how and why animals affect us the way they do.