They Help When Humans Can't: Understanding Animal-Assisted Crisis Response

Course overview

Mental health counselors utilize regularly the power of the human-animal bond, a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between humans and animals that promotes the healing of both (American Veterinary Medical Association, 2020). Through animal-assisted interventions (AAI), humans engage in therapeutic interactions with animals across settings and contexts. One such setting involves animal-assisted crisis response (AACR), a type of AAI that involves incorporating animals into disaster response and recovery for the purpose of comfort and support for those affected by the event (Pet Partners, 2020). AACR has been implemented widely across Florida for major events including the aftermath of Hurricane Irma and the shootings at both Pulse Nightclub and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The goal of this presentation is to introduce attendees to AAIs, specifically to the power of AACR.