Examining the Effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy on Children's Grief
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Authors
Lam, Melissa
Issue Date
2025-04-07
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
animal-assisted therapy , attachment , bereavement , children , child therapy , grief , emerging therapy practices , human-animal bond , mourning
Alternative Title
Abstract
Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is an emerging field that shows promise in supporting mental and emotional health, particularly for children facing various challenges. While there is an extensive body of research on children’s grief, the intersection of grief and AAT remains underexplored. This paper examines the potential effects of AAT on children experiencing grief, synthesizing current literature on both topics. Through a literature review, the paper explores the theoretical foundations and practical applications of AAT, focusing on how interactions with animals may provide comfort, emotional support, and coping strategies for grieving children. Although research on AAT is still in its early stages, the paper highlights existing studies and clinical practices where AAT has shown promise in addressing children’s emotional and psychological needs. By identifying the gaps in current knowledge and suggesting areas for future action and exploration, this paper seeks to contribute valuable insight into how AAT could be integrated into traditional therapeutic interventions for grieving children, ultimately advancing the field of grief counselling and child therapy.
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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States
openAccess
openAccess