Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI)
Animal-Assisted Intervention (AAI) is a supportive approach that involves animals in carefully planned activities designed to improve people's health, well-being, and emotional healing. These interactions are always voluntary-for both the person and the animal-and are built on mutual connection, trust, and empathy.
There are three main types of AAI:
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casual and motivational visits or interactions
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support for learning and development in educational and community settings
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structured therapeutic sessions guided by mental health professionals
Each type is tailored to meet the specific needs of individuals or groups in a compassionate, goal-focused way.
Working with Dogs
Dogs are versatile and are uniquely built to work with humans. They are able to effectively read and interpret human behavior, communicate their needs, and reciprocate affection. Dogs provide a space to not only explore but to practice specific skills to increase emotional regulation, reciprocity, and motivation/engagement in a safe, nonjudgmental environment. These attributes allow dogs to adopt different roles to assist humans with goal-directed tasks making them the ideal animal of AAI.
AAI Integration into HIGHTS Services
HIGHTS provides a continuum of services to support adolescents and families in western North Carolina. Services include mentoring, school-based intervention, assisting in support groups, addiction support, individual and family outpatient services. The majority of youth receiving services are not self-referred. The HIGHTS Animal-Assisted Intervention Program aims to address these barriers to increase engagement, trust, and motivation to assist with reducing current symptomatology and attaining one's individual goals. The AAI program integrates dogs into evidence-based treatments across settings and service modalities. The AAI Program also affords preventative and crisis response services to promote awareness, education, and support to our most vulnerable populations.
Competencies and Certification
At HIGHTS, all staff participating in Animal-Assisted Interventions are trained in animal behavior and the ethical, effective use of AAI in therapeutic settings. Our team members are certified through Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD), a nationally recognized organization, and complete monthly continuing education as well as annual recertification through HIGHTS.
The therapy dogs working with our staff begin training as puppies and are certified for AAI work after reaching at least two years of age. Staff are trained to recognize and manage safety considerations for both youth and animals, and use evidence-based, goal-directed interventions tailored to each client's needs.