Animal Assisted Therapy (A.A.T.) derives out of the observation that humans react with interest and warmth to the sight of a loving animal. Recently, research has shown that animals and people both benefit in physical and emotional ways from their interactions. Adults often can't help smiling at the sight of a puppy prancing down the street. Reflecting a natural connection between children and animals, many children's books use animals to tell their stories.

In A.A.T., animals are used as an integral part of the therapeutic process to achieve specified therapeutic goals. When using dogs, the animals are certified as therapy aids by a nationally recognized organization, usually the Delta Society, or Therapy Dogs International. The dogs work in conjunction with a licensed professional, such as a psychologist, speech and language pathologist, or occupational therapist.