AAAIP is here to help you feel confident and credible in your work with therapy animals by offering a trusted glossary of standardized terms. This glossary was developed by leaders in the AAI field. These definitions bring clarity and consistency to your language – no matter your level of experience – so you can communicate your work with confidence. We are aware of ongoing discussions within academic circles advocating for changes to the terminology used to describe work with therapy animals. AAAIP will not be adopting or promoting revised language, as outlined in our official position statement [insert link when it’s ready].
Animal-assisted activities provide motivational, educational, and recreational benefits to enhance quality of life. While more informal in nature, these activities are delivered by a specially trained professional, paraprofessional, or volunteer in partnership with an animal that meets specific suitability criteria.
Animal-assisted crisis response is a form of animal-assisted activity that provides comfort to individuals affected by natural, human-caused, or technological disasters. AACR is effective because the presence of a calm, well-trained animal has been shown to help build rapport, offer emotional relief, and provide a sense of safety and familiarity in times of crisis.
Animal-assisted education is a goal-oriented, structured intervention directed by a general or special education professional. The focus is on academic achievement, prosocial skill development, and cognitive functioning, with student progress being measured and documented.
Animal-assisted interventions are goal-oriented and structured interventions that intentionally incorporate animals into health, education, and human service settings to promote therapeutic gains and overall well-being. AAI encompasses animal-assisted therapy (AAT), animal-assisted education (AAE), and animal-assisted activities (AAA). The animal may be part of a volunteer therapy team working under a professional’s direction or an animal that belongs to the professional providing the intervention.
A structured collection of documents developed based on industry best practices, tailored for professionals who partner with therapy or facility animals. This manual outlines program processes, documentation requirements, and record-keeping protocols, ensuring consistency, ethical practice, and animal welfare.
A standardized process of identifying, documenting, and proactively planning for potential risks associated with AAI. Considerations include infection control, client screening, regular animal health checks, and setting-specific safety protocols.
Animal-assisted therapy is a goal-oriented, planned, structured, and documented therapeutic intervention directed by a qualified health or human service provider. AAT is integrated into a professional’s practice across various disciplines, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, recreational therapy, nursing, social work, speech therapy, and mental health counseling.
Animal-related engagement refers to activities that allow participants to experience the benefits of the human-animal bond by evoking feelings commonly associated with interacting with an animal, even without direct contact.
Assistance animals are dogs (and, in some cases, miniature horses) individually trained to perform tasks that assist individuals with disabilities. Examples include guide dogs for individuals who are blind, hearing dogs for those who are deaf, and dogs trained for mobility assistance or medical alerts.
Assistance dogs are considered working animals, not pets. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are permitted to accompany their handlers in public spaces, including businesses, restaurants, and airplanes.
An educational program that demonstrates knowledge or skill attainment through a final assessment.
An evaluation process that verifies education, training, or experience gained elsewhere.
The voluntary agreement to participate in an interaction. In AAI, animals should be given the opportunity to consent to interactions rather than responding solely out of obedience.
A structured AAI delivery model that includes four key participants: the handler, the therapy animal, the overseeing professional, and the client. This model is commonly used in large group settings or when a professional incorporates AAI without having their own animal partner.
An animal’s ability to remain responsive to handler cues, even in unexpected or stressful situations.
For example, if a sudden commotion occurs—such as people rushing in while pushing noisy carts—a directable dog will still follow the handler’s cues despite the distractions.
An emotional support animal is a pet prescribed by a licensed mental health professional to provide therapeutic support to a person with a mental illness. Unlike service animals, ESAs do not have public access rights under the ADA, though they are allowed in housing covered by the Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA).
While most ESAs are dogs, other species may also fulfill this role.
A facility animal is a kind of therapy animal who is regularly present in a residential, clinical, or educational setting. These animals may live with an employee who brings them to work or reside at the facility under staff supervision. Facility animals should be trained for prolonged interactions while having access to rest and breaks as needed. They do not have public access rights beyond their designated facility.
A mutually beneficial relationship between people and animals that positively influences mental, physical, and social well-being.
The emotional, psychological, and physical exchanges between people, animals, and their shared environment.
An animal’s compliance with directions provided by humans.
An approach recognizing that human health, animal health, and environmental health are interconnected.
Predictability describes an animal whose responses remain consistent and within an expected range.
For example, a handler may know that their dog startles at sudden noises but trusts that the dog will recover quickly without excessive fear or reactive behaviors.
A document outlining the essential attitudes, knowledge, skills, and abilities required for professionals who integrate therapy or facility animals into their practice. Read the document here <LINK>
The process of meeting specific criteria to enroll in a program or organization to obtain privileges, benefits, or services.
A disease transmitted from humans to animals.
A foundational field document that defines best practices across five key areas: handler qualifications, therapy animal welfare, assessment standards, ethical considerations, and risk management.
A therapy animal provides physical, emotional, and psychological benefits in facility-based settings such as healthcare, assisted living, and schools. While dogs are the most common, therapy animals may include other domesticated species like cats, equines, and rabbits.
These animals are evaluated for their ability to interact safely with various populations, and their handlers are trained in best practices to ensure ethical interactions that prioritize animal welfare. Therapy animals do not have public access rights beyond facilities where they are welcomed.
An in-person evaluation conducted by a trained assessor to ensure that a therapy or facility animal team demonstrates the necessary skills to work safely and effectively together.
A structured AAI delivery model involving three key participants: the handler, the therapy animal (with whom the handler has been evaluated), and the client. This model is commonly used when the AAI provider has their own therapy animal and when confidentiality within the treatment setting is a priority.
A disease transmitted from animals to humans.