SMALL ANIMALS, BIG BENEFITS: ASSISTED THERAPY AND PUBLIC HEALTH

Abstract

Animal-Assisted Therapies are ways of bringing to public health the salutary benefits of daily coexistence between beings of different species. The aim of this work was to understand how the well-being of those assisted by AAT is influenced by the company of animals. For this inquiry, a bibliographic review of literature within this field of knowledge and qualitative methodologies were used. Amidst the findings, it is suggested that animals immersed in therapeutic processes positively affect the stress and anxiety of participants. Therefore, the quality of the interaction and the connection between the participant and the animal must be high in order to ensure better effects in the healing process. Due to the observations, it is possible to affirm that the objectives of this research were correct and that unified treatment protocols must be flexible and adaptable in order to apply continuous corrections and better commit to better assertiveness in the treatment of each particular case.