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- Title
Canine Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) in K-12 Schools: A Qualitative Study of School Counselors' and School Nurses' Perceptions of Incorporating AAT in Schools.
- Authors
Tuttle, Malti; Yordy, Morgan; Meyer, Jill M.; Chih-Hsuan Wang; Yan Dai
- Abstract
Students in K-12 school systems face mental health challenges that impact their academic and social well-being; therefore, concern for student mental health is a leading priority for schools. Educators have begun to consider the incorporation of successful evidence-based programs such as animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in school settings. To address a gap in the literature on school counselors' and school nurses' implementation of AAT in school settings, we conducted an exploratory cross-sectional study using the REHAB Basel Questionnaire, which we modified with permission from the instrument owners and authors. School counselors and school nurses responded to six open-ended questions about integrating AAT with canines. The aim of this study was to provide implications for practice, limitations of the study, and recommendations for future research in addressing mental health in schools. Content analysis revealed that participants expressed mostly positive attitudes toward AAT, identified social, emotional, and educational benefits of working with animals, and expressed concerns related to the health and safety of students and others in the school. Responses also indicated that current policies regarding guide dogs and medical alert animals may be adapted to accommodate canine AAT in schools. Future research should include the perspectives of practitioners who facilitate AAT, for their knowledge could enhance understanding of the method.
- Subjects
NURSES' attitudes; STUDENT counselors; SCHOOL nursing; ANIMAL-assisted therapy; NURSING schools; MENTAL health of students
- Publication
Alabama Counseling Association Journal, 2024, Vol 46, Issue 1, p5
- ISSN
1546-2781
- Publication type
Article