Animal-assisted therapy has been the talk of the town for several years and is increasingly being integrated into the psychotherapeutic treatment of people. But how exactly can dogs support psychotherapeutic work? How can animal welfare and human welfare be combined? Which dogs are suitable and how are they prepared?

This book provides a practical and lively insight into therapeutic work with dogs. In addition to an overview of the basics as well as animal welfare and ethical aspects of dog-assisted therapy, concrete exercises in the context of dog-assisted self-confidence training are described pictorially and by video, providing inspiration for therapeutic work in various institutions and situations.

Katharina Blesch holds a degree in psychology and works with a focus on animal-assisted therapy at an acute clinic for psychosomatics and psychiatry. She studied psychology at the University of Heidelberg, as well as animal-assisted therapy at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, and has various additional qualifications in training and behavioral therapy for different animal species. She is active in animal welfare and is a part-time lecturer.

Animal Assisted Therapy - Basics and my personal understanding of this discipline.- Animal Ethics in Animal Assisted Therapy.- Animal Assisted Therapy with Dogs from Animal Welfare - Limits and Opportunities.- The Dog Assisted Self-Assurance Training.- Preparing the Dogs for their Assignment.- Epilogue.