Product Description

In this uplifting book, we learn firsthand how the field of Animal Assisted Therapy is having remarkable success training animals to help and enhance the lives of children and adults with serious medical problems. With more than fifty photographs showing the visible improvements that trained therapy pets are making in the lives of sick and disabled people, the compelling stories relate many inspiring incidents of the healing animal-human partnership. For animal lovers, health care providers, and anyone who appreciates how animals and humans interrelate, this is a wonderful, truly inspirational book.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #407682 in Books
• Published on: 2003-04-01
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .51" h x 6.12" w x 8.98" l, .62 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 150 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Crawford, a clinical psychologist, and Pomerinke, a professional dog trainer, provide a touching introduction to Animal Assisted Therapy in 23 profiles of people who benefited from AAT. In intimate and enthusiastic short chapters, the authors cover the notable variety of the animals' healing power: two dogs, Tikva and Hoss, console workers at Ground Zero; a 20-year-old pony helps a young girl with cerebral palsy gain muscular control; a seven-pound Brussels Griffon aids victims of sexual and physical abuse. While the book offers a smattering of clinical information, the appeal here is primarily emotional-this is a warm and fuzzy read (sometimes perhaps too warm and fuzzy). Crawford and Pomerinke's writing can become scrambled when addressing the uplifting emotional impact of the animals' abilities; the authors also tend to restate concepts they have demonstrated clearly already (e.g., animals give unconditional love). Animal lovers, though, may be able to overlook the authors' stylistic imperfections and focus on the pleasure and poignancy of the heartwarming stories. The appendix includes a state-by-state listing of AAT organizations and a chapter on how to get your pet started in the field.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.