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ABSTRACT
This paper discusses combining Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) with Choice Theory (CT) or Reality Therapy (RT). Counselors seek methods to facilitate a positive therapeutic relationship or Therapeutic Alliance (TA), and this study incorporates a unique method, Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), to enhance and expedite this stage. Additionally, therapists search for supportive means to move individuals into engagement and commitment to the counseling relationship. This article discusses how one four-legged-therapist and one two-legged therapist facilitated this. Although there have been several studies measuring correlation between AAT and physical health (Anderson, Reid, & Jennings, 1992; Dembicki & Anderson, 1996); this empirical study evaluates the relationship between AAT and individuals participating in mental health counseling. The study shows the outcome of using CT or RT and AAT with group members addicted to drugs, in an inpatient setting.
CT (Glasser, 1969, 1998; Wubbolding, 2000) provides the theoretical framework for this study and, more specifically, the facilitation of the counseling session's initial stage, building the relationship as discussed in Reality Therapy's Cycle of Counseling. Counselors question ways to facilitate a positive therapeutic relationship or Therapeutic Alliance (TA), and this study incorporates a unique method, Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), to enhance and expedite this stage. Therapists search for effective means to move individuals into engagement and commitment to the counseling relationship. This process appears more complex with individuals whose lives involve impediments such as trust, abandonment, addictions, legal, educational, physical, and career, to name a few (Glasser, 2000). The aforementioned provides the rationale for the research project presented in this document.
Literature Review
This paper highlights two areas of literature: the philosophy and use of Choice Theory/Reality Therapy and the power of AAT in increasing individuals' physical and mental health. There appear to be numerous articles and texts addressing the aforementioned; however, when linking both concepts together, literature appears nonexistent.
Choice Theory and Reality Therapy
There appear several significant names associated with this philosophy (e.g., Barnes Boffey, 1993; Erwin, 2004; Glasser, N. 1989; Glasser, 1965, 1969, 1972, 1984, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2003; Good, 1992; Powers, 1973; Wubbolding, 1991, 2000). The reader may review the earlier cited literature and additional articles listed on the reference page to expand their knowledge on CT and Reality Therapy. This section provides a...