Animal-Assisted Therapy in the Treatment of Substance Dependence

Wesley, Martin C.; Minatrea, Neresa B.; Watson, Joshua C.

doi:10.2752/175303709x434167

Cited by 111Human-Animal Interaction StudiesPsychotherapy Techniques and ApplicationsSubstance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

Animal-Assisted Therapy in the Treatment of Substance Dependence

Wesley, Martin C., Minatrea, Neresa B., Watson, Joshua C.·2009·Anthrozoös

DOI 10.2752/175303709x434167

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) on the therapeutic alliance with an adult, residential, substance abuse population in group therapy. We used randomized samples and controlled conditions to establish the effects of chosen variables that influence outcome. A total of 231 people took part in the study (control group [without therapy dog]: n = 96; experimental group [with therapy dog]: n = 135) in which there were 26 group sessions. The results of the study indicate that, overall, the therapeutic alliance is enhanced with the addition of a therapy dog: the AAT group had a more positive opinion of the therapeutic alliance, as measured using the Helping Alliance Questionnaire (HAQ-II), than the control group (ANOVA: F(1,229) = 25.44, p < 0.001). Clients seeking treatment for a dual diagnosis, clients with state social service involvement, and clients seeking treatment for alcohol addiction had similar opinions of the therapeutic alliance, whether in the experimental group or the control group. Males, females, pet owners, court ordered clients, and clients seeking treatment for polysubstance, cannabis, and methamphetamine dependence all were more positive about the therapeutic alliance if they were in the experimental group than if they were in the control. This study demonstrates that addiction professionals could increase treatment success by adding this complementary, evidence-based practice.

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Significant improvements have been seen with therapeutic alliance, engagement, interpersonal socialisation or trust, acute anxious arousal (distress), and functioning.
“Significant improvements have been seen with therapeutic alliance [37] engagement [39], interpersonal socialisation or trust [38], acute anxious arousal (distress) [34, 39], and functioning [31].”
From Incorporating animal-assisted therapy in mental health treatments for adolescents: A systematic review of canine assisted psychotherapy (2019) · cites this paper as [37]
Adults hospitalised for substance dependence demonstrated increased therapeutic alliance.
“Adults hospitalised for substance dependence demonstrated increased therapeutic alliance [37] and interpersonal socialisation [38].”
From Incorporating animal-assisted therapy in mental health treatments for adolescents: A systematic review of canine assisted psychotherapy (2019) · cites this paper as [37]
AAIs have been repeatedly shown to be an effective tool to assist with engagement and rapport building.
“AAIs have been repeatedly shown to be an effective tool to assist with engagement and rapport building [9, 37, 51, 52].”
From Incorporating animal-assisted therapy in mental health treatments for adolescents: A systematic review of canine assisted psychotherapy (2019) · cites this paper as [37]
Existing literature suggests that the inclusion of a canine into psychotherapy improves therapeutic alliance, trust and willingness to disclose [37, 55].
“This is in line with existing literature that suggests that the inclusion of a canine into psychotherapy improves therapeutic alliance, trust and willingness to disclose [37, 55].”
From Incorporating animal-assisted therapy in mental health treatments for adolescents: A systematic review of canine assisted psychotherapy (2019) · cites this paper as [37]

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Authors: Wesley, M. C., Minatrea, N. B., & Watson, J. C.
Affiliations: Lindsey Wilson College (US)
Western Kentucky University (US)
Mississippi State University (US)
Corresponding author: Wesley, Martin C.
ORCID: Watson, Joshua C.
Venue: Anthrozoös
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Published: 2009-06
Volume: 22
Issue: 2
Pages: 137-148
ISSN: 0892-7936 (ISSN-L)
1753-0377
DOI: 10.2752/175303709x434167
OpenAlex: W2002605039
Cited by: 111
References: 44
Citations by year: 2026: 3 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 8
FWCI: 2.72
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Anthrozoös (publishedVersion)
Topics: Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Human-Animal Interaction Studies
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
Keywords: animal-assisted therapy, therapy dogs, substance dependence, therapeutic relationship, group therapy, residential addiction treatment, Helping Alliance Questionnaire, dual diagnosis, alcoholism, cannabis use disorder, methamphetamine dependence, complementary therapy

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Animal-Assisted Therapy in the Treatment of Substance Dependence

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