What’s Love Got to Do with It? Selecting Animals for Animal-Assisted Mental Health Interventions

Abstract In this chapter a four-step process by which mental health clinicians can more effectively formulate interventions including specifically selected animals is proposed. First, the “matrix of opportunity” is reviewed to assist clinicians in clarifying the purpose behind involving an animal in the delivery of mental health treatment. Second, the most common categories and delivery approaches of animal-assisted interventions are explored in an effort to specify how an animal might interact with a client to enhance clinical interventions. Third, a process for integrating the decisions made in steps one and two into a dynamic “job description” for working animals is presented in which the specific capabilities, attributes, and both natural and trained behaviors required of working animals are explicated. Finally, the chapter proposes a new animal assessment model that emphasizes selection of the working animal, demonstrating the unique responses, capacities, skills, and attributes required for effective work with client- and clinician-specific interventions.