2009/04/22 by Martin C. Wesley, Neresa B. Minatrea, Joshua C. Watson · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Psychology · #Attachment and Relationship Dynamics #Human-Animal Interaction Studies #Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
paper · doi:10.2752/175303709x434167
openalex publication_date 2009/04/22 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
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.