THE IAHAIO DEFINITIONS FOR ANIMAL ASSISTED INTERVENTION AND GUIDELINES FOR WELLNESS OF ANIMALS INVOLVED IN AAI

3 Şubat 2020

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IAHAIO WHITE PAPER 2014, updated for 2018
THE IAHAIO DEFINITIONS FOR ANIMAL ASSISTED INTERVENTION AND
GUIDELINES FOR WELLNESS OF ANIMALS
INVOLVED IN AAI
Taskforce Chairperson: Dr. Brinda Jegatheesan (United States of America)
Taskforce Members: Dr. Andrea Beetz (Germany), Dr. Elizabeth Ormerod
(United Kingdom), Dr. Rebecca Johnson (United States of America), Dr. Aubrey
Fine (United States of America), Keiko Yamazaki (Japan), Christi Dudzik
(United States of America), Dr. Rita Maria Garcia (Federative Republic of
Brazil), Melissa Winkle (United States of America), Dr. George Choi (Republic of
Korea)
UPDATES FOR 2018
The 2018 updates to the White Paper 2014 include the definition of animal assisted
coaching and the definition of the One Health and One Welfare approach in AAI.
Revised as of April 2018 and approved by the board of IAHAIO

TABLE OF CONTENTS
IAHAIO‘s Mission and Vision……………………………………………………………………………………….3
The Task Force for the IAHAIO Definitions for Animal Assisted Intervention and
Guidelines for Wellness of Animals Involved ……………………………………………………………..4
Definitions………………… ……………………………………………………….
Animal Assisted Intervention……………………………………………5
Animal Assisted Therapy…………………………………………………..5
Animal Assisted Education………………………………………………..5
Animal Assisted Activity…………………………………………………….5
Animal Assisted Coaching …………………………………………………6
One Health and One Welfare…………………………………………….6-7
Guidelines for Human and Animal Wellbeing in AAI………………………7
Human Wellbeing………………………………………………………………7
Animal Wellbeing………………………………………………………………7-9
References …………………………………………………………………………………..10
Acknowledgement……………………………………………………………………….10
Protocol for Translating the White Paper into Other Languages .….11

International Association of Human-Animal Interaction
Organizations – IAHAIO
Mission and Vision
The International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations (IAHAIO) is the
leading global association of organizations concerned with advancing the field of humananimal interaction (HAI). This is accomplished through research, education and collaboration
among its members, policy makers, clinical practitioners, other human animal interaction
organizations and the general public.
Many of its member organizations are involved in animal assisted activity, animal assisted
therapy, animal assisted education, and/or service animal training. IAHAIO aims to promote
respectful and responsible human and animal treatment during interventions and
interactions with animals.
IAHAIO has over 90 multi-disciplinary member organizations and professional associations
globally such as the AVMA, AAHA, FECAVA, FVE, JAHA, KAHA, WAP, and AAH-ABV in the
veterinary medical field, the HABRI Foundation, ISAZ, and a wide range of academic centers,
and AAI practice organizations. The very large cadre of member organizations strongly
positions IAHAIO to lead the field of HAI in important directions.
IAHAIO holds international conferences and workshops which provide a wide range of vital
information and unique networking opportunities for those in the field of HAI aimed at
fostering dialogue, information exchange and planning strategies to move the field of HAI
forward as well as addressing vital issues in the field.

THE TASK FORCE FOR THE IAHAIO DEFINITIONS FOR ANIMAL ASSISTED
INTERVENTION AND GUIDELINES FOR WELLBEING ANIMALS INVOLVED IN AAI
The Task Force for the IAHAIO Definitions for Animal Assisted Intervention and Guidelines
for Wellness of Animals Involved was established in March 2013. Those appointed to serve
on the Task Force were academics, veterinary medicine professionals, and practitioners
from different countries with a background in, or special knowledge in different dimensions
in the field of Human-Animal Interaction (HAI).
Challenges facing the field of HAI at an international level are numerous. For example
the plentiful and various terminologies of Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) result
in confusion. There is also a dearth of guidelines regarding those involved, especially
concerning the animals. Recognizing the urgency to address the issues above, a Task
Force was established and charged with the responsibility of clarifying and making
recommendations on AAI terminologies and definitions and outlining ethical practices
for the wellbeing of animals involved.
The recommendations of the 2014 Task Force provided in the White Paper
were the result of a year of thorough, thoughtful and candid discussions about the
gravity of the confusion and lack of guidelines confronting the field of HAI, respectful
and proactive sharing of information and different points of view and careful review of
pertinent materials. The IAHAIO board reviewed all suggested revisions made by the
majority of members at the 2014 AGM in Amsterdam and those that were unanimously
supported by the board have been included.
The White Paper is intended for medical, allied health, public health and care and veterinary
professionals involved in animal assisted interventions.
The Task Force encourages IAHAIO members to have these definitions and guidelines
adopted and implemented in theory, research and practice as they stand in their own
programs and those of others working within the geographic range of the member’s
organization. The Task Force also recommends IAHAIO members to promote these
definitions and guidelines in their respective countries.

DEFINITIONS
Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI)
An Animal Assisted Intervention is a goal oriented and structured intervention that
intentionally includes or incorporates animals in health, education and human services
(e.g., social work) for the purpose of therapeutic gains in humans. It involves people
with knowledge of the people and animals involved. Animal assisted interventions
incorporate human-animal teams in formal human services such as Animal Assisted
Therapy (AAT), Animal Assisted Education (AAE) or under certain conditions Animal
Assisted Activity (AAA). It also includes Animal Assisted Coaching (AAC).
Such interventions should be developed and implemented using an interdisciplinary
approach.
Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT): Animal Assisted Therapy is a goal oriented, planned and
structured therapeutic intervention directed and/or delivered by health, education and
human service professionals. Intervention progress is measured and included in professional
documentation. AAT is delivered and/or directed by a formally trained (with active
licensure, degree or equivalent)
professional with expertise within the scope of the professionals’ practice. AAT focuses on
enhancing physical, cognitive, behavioral and/or socio-emotional functioning of the
particular human recipient. The professional delivering AAT (or the person handling the
animal under the supervision of the human service professional) must have adequate
knowledge about the behavior, needs, health and indicators and regulation of stress of the
animals involved.
Animal Assisted Education (or Animal Assisted Pedagogy): Animal Assisted Education (AAE)
is a goal oriented, planned and structured intervention directed and/or delivered by
educational and related service professionals. AAE is conducted by qualified (with degree)
general and special education teachers. An example of AAE delivered by a regular education
teacher is an educational visit that promotes responsible pet ownership. AAE, when done
by special (remedial) education teachers is also considered therapeutic and a goal oriented
intervention. The focus of the activities is on academic goals, pro-social skills and cognitive
functioning. The student’s progress is measured and documented. An example of AAE
delivered by a special education teacher is a dog-assisted reading program. The professional
delivering AAE, including regular school teachers (or the person handling the animal under
the supervision of the education professional) must have adequate knowledge about the
behavior, needs, health and indicators and regulation of stress of the animals involved.
Animal Assisted Activity (AAA): AAA is a planned and goal oriented informal interaction and
visitation conducted by the human-animal team for motivational, educational and
recreational purposes. Human-animal teams must have received at least introductory
training, preparation and assessment to participate in informal visitations. Human-animal
teams who provide AAA may also work formally and directly with a healthcare, educator
and/or human service provider on specific documentable goals. In this case they are
participating in AAT or AAE that is conducted by a specialist in his/her profession. Examples
of AAA include animal assisted crisis response that focuses on providing comfort and support for trauma, crisis and disaster survivors, and visiting companion animals for ‘meet
and greet’ activities with residents in nursing homes. The person delivering AAA must have
adequate knowledge about the behavior, needs, health and indicators of stress of the
animals involved.
Animal Assisted Coaching (AAC): Animal Assisted Coaching is a goal oriented, planned and
structured animal assisted intervention directed and/or delivered by professionals licensed
as coaches. Intervention progress is measured and included in professional documentation.
AAC is delivered and/or directed by a formally trained (with active licensure, degree or
equivalent) professional coach with expertise within the scope of the professionals’
practice. AAC focuses on enhancing personal growth of the recipient, on insight and
enhancement of groups processes, or on social skills and/or socio-emotional functioning of
the coachee (s). The coach delivering AAC (or the person handling the animal under the
supervision of the coach) must have adequate training about the behavior, needs, health
and indicators and regulation of stress of the animals involved.
ONE HEALTH AND ONE WELFARE
One Health is not a new concept. It dates back to the 1800s when scientists determined
many similarities in disease processes of humans and animals. More recently, its
applications involve veterinary and other scientists collaborating to protect public health.
One Health recognizes that the “health of the people is connected to the health of animals
and the environment” and the “goal is to attain optimal health outcomes recognizing the
interconnectedness between people, animals, plants and their shared environment.”
(Center for Disease Control [CDC], USA) The Center for Disease Control has adopted the
World Health Organization’s definition for health namely “a state of complete physical,
mental and emotional wellbeing” (WHO 1946).
More recently the interdisciplinary approach has been extended to One Welfare which
recognizes the interrelationship between animal welfare, human well-being and the
environment. (Pinillos, 2016) The interdisciplinary collaborative nature of both these
approaches provides unique opportunities for professionals from several disciplines and
stakeholders to collaborate locally, nationally and globally to achieve optimal health for
people, animals and the environment. The World Health Organization’s reference to
emotional and social states can also be found in One Welfare (Fraser, 2009) which
emphasizes the strong link between animal welfare and human health.
One Health and One Welfare are relevant to Animal Assisted Interventions, the goals of
which are similar; the improvement of human health, wellness and functioning.
Veterinarians can utilize their knowledge of human-animal interactions and of animal health
and behavior to address public health issues within a One Health One Welfare
framework. Companion animal veterinarians are beginning to adopt such a mode of
practice to support the welfare and quality of life of clients whilst delivering high standards
of veterinary care in an approach termed bond-centered veterinary practice (Ormerod,
2008)
Jordan and Lem (2014) eloquently explain that “where there are poor states of human
welfare there commonly exist poor states of animal welfare …..Similarly , animals often act
as indicators of human health and welfare as can be seen in the link between animal abuse
and family violence” (p.1203). It would be unethical to initiate an AAI with a goal of
improving a patient’s welfare through a program that compromises the well-being of the
animal or other individuals. In designing effective AAI’s, facilities and handlers must ensure
that adequate provisions and protocols are in place to continually monitor and safeguard
the health and well-being of all patients, staff, handlers, visitors and animals involved. A One
Health One Welfare interdisciplinary approach will enable this objective.

GUIDELINES FOR HUMAN AND ANIMAL WELLBEING IN AAI
A One Health One Welfare interdisciplinary approach should be employed from the
initial planning stages and throughout the life of each program to help ensure that
proper safeguarding protocols are in place to protect the health of both human and
animal participants.
Human Wellbeing
▪ Safety measures for clients must be in place. Professionals must reduce risk for
clients involved in AAI. They must ensure that clients do not have species or breed
specific allergies, be aware of high risk in some population and of exclusion criteria
depending on the risk (e.g., infection in immunosuppressed patients, and diseases
which can be spread from client to client via the animal. In some situations, for
example, working with immunosuppressed patients, public health specialists may
require screening tests for animals to ensure they are not carrying particular
infections.
▪ Animal handlers need to understand the needs of the recipients involved. They
should have received training in the human context in which the AAI will occur.
▪ Recipients may have different views about specific animals included in interventions.
When the recipients’ beliefs – religious, cultural, or otherwise – run counter to
recommended AAI, it is advisable that professionals discuss alternatives with
recipients or their families, if incapacitated.
Animal Wellbeing
AAI should only be performed with the assistance of animals that are in good health, both
physically and emotionally and that enjoy this type of activity. It is mandatory that handlers
must be familiar with the individual animals taking part in an intervention. Professionals are
held accountable for the well-being of the animals they are working with. In all AAI,
professionals need to consider the safety and welfare of all participants. Professionals must
understand that the participating animal, independent of the species, is not simply a tool,
but a living being. Below are descriptions of best practices for animals involved in AAI and
AAA, including assistance and service dogs.
▪ Only domesticated animals can be involved in interventions and activities.
Domesticated animals (e.g., dogs, cats, horses, farm animals, guinea pigs, rats, fish,
birds) are those animals that have been adapted for social interactions with humans.
However, it is important to note that although many species of fish are kept as pets
in institutions, few are adapted for social interactions. (Birds and fish should not be
wild caught, but captive bred). Domesticated animals must be well socialized with
humans and trained with humane techniques, such as positive reinforcement.
Domesticated animals (dogs, cats, equines) should be registered with one of the
national/international organization as meeting certain criteria.
▪ Wild and exotic species (e.g., dolphins, elephants, capuchin monkeys, prairie dogs,
arthropods, reptiles), even tame ones, cannot be involved in interactions. The
reasons are many and include high risks to clients from zoonoses and animal welfare
issues. The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society’s statement on Dolphin assisted
therapy is that it unlikely meets the psychological or physical welfare needs of either
human participants or dolphins (Brakes & Williamson, 2007, p.18). However,
observation and contemplation about wild animals in the natural world and in wild
life sanctuaries that meet national/international animal welfare standards may be
involved as opposed to direct contact with wild animals provided it is done in a way
not to cause the animals any stress or damage to their habitat.
• Not all animals, including many that would be considered “good pets” by their
owners, are good candidates for AAI. Animals considered for participation in AAI or
AAA should be carefully evaluated for behavior and temperament by an expert in
animal behavior such as veterinarians and animal behaviorists. Only those with the
proper disposition and training should be selected for AAI. Regular evaluations
should be performed to ensure that the animals continue to show proper
disposition. A veterinarian should also examine animals considered for AAI before
their involvement with recipients – assessing them for health, and ensuring that all
appropriate preventive medicine protocols are in place, and for resident animals
ensuring that the environment and recipient group would suit their needs.
• Handlers and professionals working with animals should have received training and
knowledge of the animals’ well-being needs, including being able to detect signs of
discomfort and stress. Professionals should have taken a course on general animal
behavior and appropriate human-animal interactions and species specific (i.e.,
horses, pigs, hamsters, gerbils, and others) interactions.
• Professionals must have an understanding of animal specific boundaries that
are normal and respectful to them. Animals participating in AAI should never be
involved in such ways that their safety and comfort are jeopardized. Examples of
such inappropriate activities and therapy exercises include, but are not limited to,
recipients (children and adults) jumping or bending over animals, dressing up
animals in human clothes or costumes, outfitting animals with uncomfortable
accessories (dressing other that clothes such as bandanas, weather related jackets,
booties designed specifically for animals), or asking an animal to perform physically
challenging or stressful tasks (e.g., crawling, leaning/bending in unnatural positions, pulling heavy gear) or tricks and exercises that require such movements and
postures. Recipients should be supervised at all times and in all settings (e.g.,
schools, therapy sites, nursing homes) to make sure that they are not teasing the
animal (e.g., pulling tail/ears, sitting on or crawling under the animal) or otherwise
treating the animal inappropriately, thereby putting themselves and the animal at
risk.
• Professionals who are responsible for the well-being of the animal during
intervention must ensure that the animal is healthy, well rested, comfortable, and
cared for during and after the sessions (e.g., provision of fresh water, work floors
that are safe and suitable). Animals must not be overworked or overwhelmed and
sessions should be time limited (30-45 minutes).
• Proper veterinary care must be provided. All animals participating in AAI or AAA
must be checked by a veterinarian during the selection process and on a regular
basis. The frequency of these checks should be decided by the veterinarian based on
each animal’s needs and the type of activities the animal is involved in. Care of the
animals must be appropriate to the species. This includes species specific food and
housing, appropriate temperature, lighting, environment enrichment and other
pertinent features and ensuring that the animal is able to maintain natural behavior
to the extent possible.
• Adequate measures must be taken to prevent zoonoses. Professionals must ensure
that the animals receive a routine health evaluation by a licensed veterinarian at
least once a year regarding appropriate vaccinations, and parasite prevention.
Animals involved in AAI must not be fed raw meat or other raw biological protein
e.g. unpasteurized milk. (with the exception of unweaned animals receiving their
dam’s milk) (Murthy et al. 2005)
▪ Professionals and administrators working in partnership with visiting or resident
animals in institutions such as schools, psychiatric wards, prisons & residential
programs need to be aware of local (e.g., school, district, state) laws and policies.
Within their own programs and institutions professionals should advocate for
policies and procedures to ensure care is provided for animals assisting in AAI. The
formation of an ethics committee is advised and the committee must include
individuals knowledgeable in animal welfare (e.g., veterinarian)
▪ Assistance Dogs are highly specialized and guidelines for professionals working in
partnerships with Assistance dogs are not part of this document.
Given the biological and psychological evidence for the innate affinity of humans to
companion animals and vice-versa and a commitment to their health and welfare, the
members of the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations
overwhelmingly embrace the concept of “One Health,” which asserts that the health and
wellness of animals, people, and the environment are inextricably linked
(http://www.iahaio.org/files/declarationchicago.pdf, IAHAIO 2013 Chicago Declaration).

REFERENCES
American Veterinary Medical Association
https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Pages/Wellness-Guidelines-for-Animals-in-AnimalAssisted-Activity-Animal-Assisted-Therapy-and-Resident-Animal-Programs.aspx
Brakes, P., & Williamson, D (2007). Dolphin Assisted Therapy. The Whale and Dolphin
Conservation Society. (http://www.wdcs.org/submissions_bin/datreport.pdf).
FAWC (Farm Animals Welfare Council), 2009. Five Freedoms.
http://www.fawc.org.uk/freedoms.htm (accessed December 6, 2014)
Fraser D. (2008) Understanding Animal Welfare: The Science in its Cultural Context
published by Wiley-Blackwell
JordanT,. Lem M. One Health, One Welfare: Education in practice Veterinary students’
experiences with Community Veterinary Outreach In The Canadian Veterinary Journal 2014
Dec; 55(12): 1203–1206.
Retrieved at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4231813/
Murthy R, Bearman G, Brown S, Bryant K, Chinn R, Hewlett R, George G, Goldstein E,
Holzmann-Pazgal G, Rupp M, Wiemken T, Weese S, Weber D. (2015). Animals in Healthcare
Facilities: Recommendations to Minimize Potential Risks. Infection Control and Hospital
Epidemiology, 36(5), 495-516. DOI: 10.1017/ice.2015.15
Ormerod, E. J (2008). Bond-centered veterinary practice: Lessons for veterinary faculty and
students. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, 35 (4), 545-551
Pinillos G., Appleby, M., Scott-Park F, Smith C. One Welfare
In Veterinary Record 2014 Vol 177, Issue 24 http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/vr.h6830
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
With appreciation to colleagues in animal health, behavior and welfare fields and to the
American Veterinary Medical Association, Humane Society of the United States, American
Humane Society, Assistance Dogs International, International Fund for Animal Welfare, and
the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society for their views on animal welfare in AAI.

PROTOCOL FOR TRANSLATING THE IAHAIO WHITE PAPER INTO THER
LANGUAGES
The White Paper is an official document and communication of IAHAIO and its official
language is English. To enable our global members to promote the content of the White
Paper in their own countries, IAHAIO supports translation of this document into other
languages. Member organizations or representatives of member organizations can request
the board for an official translation in their language. The board then will hire a neutral
translation service. The translated version of the White Paper will be sent to representatives
of the member organizations who are bilingual in the local language and English and
requested to review and validate the technical and conceptual accuracy of the translation.
The final document will be voted on by the board and it will be decided if this document is
an authorized document by IAHAIO. If there ever should be a dispute about the content of
the translation, wording, etc. the original English version would serve as the main reference.

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