Human-Animal Bond in Colorado - HABIC Community Engagement

Animal-assisted activities provide opportunities for motivation, education, or recreation to enhance quality of life. Animal assisted activities are delivered in a variety of environments by specially trained professionals, paraprofessionals, or volunteers in association with animals that meet specific criteria.

AAA helps to relieve loneliness and provide emotional support. Through forms of contact with the client, such as petting, brushing, and speaking, human-animal teams are a source of comfort in hospitals, long-term care, and rehabilitation facilities.

In many AAA scenarios, the animal serves as a facilitator, allowing a client to relate to professionals and HABIC volunteers in ways that would not otherwise be possible.

An animal-assisted therapy is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal meeting specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process. Animal-assisted therapy is delivered and/or directed by health or human service providers working within the scope of their profession.

Animal-assisted therapy is designed to promote improvement in human physical, social, emotional, or cognitive function. Animal-assisted therapy is provided in a variety of settings, and maybe a group or individual in nature. The process is documented and evaluated.

Human-animal teams work closely with specialized health and human services professionals. Because of its ongoing role in a client’s treatment regimen and the need for documentation and evaluation, AAT requires additional training of human-animal teams.