All About Animals Animal-Assisted Therapy

25/08/2026

My beautiful senior llama/alpaca cross Smoky died quite suddenly yesterday despite my best efforts and vet intervention. He came to my little menagerie in 2022 from a “llama walking” programme! He was a gentle fellow who was able to be patted, groomed and walked so was a big and lovely part of our little community here. Being the oldest he was “in charge” of the other llamas and I know they are quietly grieving too. Thanks Smoky for spending the last part of your life with us. You were much loved. Xx.

12/08/2026

Recent research published in Frontiers in Psychology provides further insight into the positive role companion animals can play in our everyday emotional wellbeing.

Using real-time assessments throughout the day, researchers found that interacting with a companion animal was associated with:
• Increased positive emotions
• Reduced negative emotions
• Improved moment-to-moment emotional wellbeing

Interestingly, the study did not find evidence that companion animals “buffer” the effects of stressful events. Instead, the findings suggest that the emotional benefits arise from the interaction itself, rather than preventing stress from affecting us.

The researchers also observed some differences between dogs and cats, highlighting that the human-animal relationship is complex and may vary depending on the species.

For Animal Therapies Ltd, these findings reinforce an important message.

While simply spending time with animals can support emotional wellbeing, professionally delivered animal-assisted services involve much more than the presence of an animal.

The strongest evidence continues to support animals being intentionally incorporated into evidence-based practice by appropriately qualified professionals, with careful consideration of animal welfare, suitability, and ethical practice.

Every new study helps us better understand how and why animals positively influence people—and strengthens the evidence base for integrating animals into professional health, education and human services.

Read the full open-access study here:
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1768288/full

09/08/2026

New Research Explains How Animal-Assisted Services Work

A newly published review in Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology shifts the focus from asking whether Animal-Assisted Services (AAS) work to understanding how they work biologically.

The review brings together current evidence showing that positive interactions with animals are associated with:

• Reduced cortisol (the body’s primary stress hormone)
• Increased oxytocin, which supports bonding, trust and social connection
• Activation of the brain’s reward pathways
• Improved communication between the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, supporting emotional regulation
• Reduced physiological stress responses

Importantly, the authors propose an integrated neurobiological framework that helps explain why incorporating animals into professional service delivery may enhance emotional regulation, strengthen therapeutic relationships and improve engagement with treatment.

This research is particularly valuable for healthcare organisations, policymakers and funding bodies, as it provides a biological explanation for the growing evidence supporting Animal-Assisted Services. It also reinforces the importance of delivering AAS within evidence-based practice, by appropriately qualified professionals, while maintaining high standards of animal welfare.

Read the research here:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666497626000317

08/08/2026

New Research Supports Canine-Assisted Services for Mental Health and Neurodevelopmental Conditions

A newly published systematic review in the British Journal of Psychiatry adds to the growing evidence that dog-assisted interventions can provide meaningful benefits for both children and adults living with mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions.

After reviewing the available evidence, the researchers found that dog-assisted interventions were associated with improvements in:
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Emotional regulation
• Social functioning
• Engagement with treatment

One of the review’s most important findings was that the presence of a dog may increase engagement with professional services. For many people, this can help build trust, encourage participation, and support ongoing involvement in treatment.

The authors also emphasise that dog-assisted interventions should complement, not replace, evidence-based care, and should be delivered by appropriately qualified professionals with careful attention to animal welfare.

This latest research reinforces the important role that well-trained dogs can play in supporting therapeutic relationships and improving client engagement across a range of professional settings.

Read the full research here:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-british-journal-of-psychiatry/article/dogassisted-interventions-for-children-and-adults-with-mental-health-or-neurodevelopmental-conditions-systematic-review/72599C9A5BDBA836E61D043FE8F097E7

08/08/2026

07/08/2026

A newly published systematic review in European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry provides encouraging evidence that Animal-Assisted Services (AAS) can make a meaningful difference for school-aged children when incorporated into professional service delivery.

After reviewing the available research, the authors found that Animal-Assisted Services were associated with improvements in:
• Emotional wellbeing
• Anxiety
• Social interaction
• Behavioural regulation
• School engagement

Importantly, the review emphasises that the greatest benefits are achieved when animals are incorporated into evidence-based practice delivered by appropriately qualified professionals, while maintaining high standards of animal welfare and ethical practice.

This research reinforces what many practitioners observe in practice—animals can help create safe, engaging environments that support learning, emotional regulation and meaningful participation.

Read the full research here:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00787-025-02740-7

07/08/2026

ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY IS NOT AN NDIS SCAM

Ben Fordham recently described “horse therapy” as the latest NDIS scam. This misleading generalisation fails to distinguish recreational activities from legitimate animal-assisted therapy.

View the original post:
https://www.facebook.com/100053078863268/posts/1574123884366892/

The NDIA confirms that animal-assisted therapy can be funded when delivered by a qualified health professional as part of a goal-directed, evidence-based treatment plan and when it meets NDIS funding requirements.

ATL supports action against fraud, inflated fees and inappropriate claiming. However, legitimate practitioners and participants should not be discredited because some providers misuse the system.

ATL has written to Ben Fordham to request a correction and has offered to provide accurate information about this specialised field.

Fraud should be exposed—but facts and professional distinctions matter.

Read the NDIA guidance:
https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/assistive-technology/animal-supports/what-animal-assisted-therapy

Ben Fordham

Ben FordhamstedTherapy

31/07/2026

Animal Assisted Therapy workshop I am running at my little Sanctuary in Sept.

Animal Assisted Therapy 2-Day Intensive - Noosa Hinterland, QLD
29 Mcintyre Lane, Tinbeerwah Queensland 4563
Our 2-Day Intensive Training in Animal Assisted Therapy is as popular as ever and has been condensed to 2-Days!

We only come to Australia every 3 or so years, so please join us!

​This is our very popular, 2-day Intensive workshop that teaches you how to implement animal assisted therapy with a variety of hands-on interactions with live animals. Students have come from all over the world to attend our Intensives and learn from professionals who work with the assistance of a variety of therapy animals. This two-day, experiential workshop gives participants an opportunity to work with several different species of animals. The emphasis is on mental health occupational therapy, counseling, and psychotherapy but professionals and students from many different disciplines in human services have found the workshop to be very helpful.

The training will be conducted by Madeleine Flynn at her farm in Noosa Headlands, QLD. Madeleine is a licensed trainer for AATPC having completed both Certification and Experiential Training in Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy. Madeleine has been practicing Occupational AAT at her farm for several years and will be sharing her expertise in Australia for those interested in adding animals into their professional practice. This training is open only to 8 participants, so please register soon.

And plan to spend the evenings and even a couple extra days exploring the beautiful area of Noosa Headlands, QLD, AU.

https://www.animalassistedtherapyprograms.org/australia-instensives

28/07/2026

Psychiatric Assistance Dogs for Adults with Mental Health Conditions: Handler Experiences, Benefits, Challenges, and Welfare Considerations
Published in Behavioral Sciences (MDPI), 13 July 2026.

You can access it here:
https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16071178

Summary

This study explored the experiences of adults living with mental health conditions who use psychiatric assistance dogs (PADs). Eighty-five handlers completed an online mixed-methods survey examining how their dogs assist them in everyday life, the benefits they experience, the challenges they encounter, and considerations relating to the welfare of the dogs.

Key findings

Psychiatric assistance dogs provide practical daily support
Handlers described their dogs performing a wide range of trained tasks, including:

* Interrupting panic attacks.
* Recognising and responding to signs of distress.
* Providing grounding during dissociation.
* Creating personal space in crowded environments.
* Waking handlers from nightmares.
* Encouraging medication adherence and daily routines.
* Assisting with leaving the home and engaging in community activities.

Improved mental health and quality of life
Participants consistently reported:

* Reduced anxiety.
* Increased confidence.
* Greater independence.
* Improved emotional regulation.
* Reduced social isolation.
* Increased participation in work, education and community life.

Challenges remain
Despite the benefits, handlers frequently experienced:

* Public access refusals.
* Misunderstanding about psychiatric assistance dogs.
* Financial pressures associated with training and ongoing care.
* Emotional stress when their dog’s health declined or retirement approached.

Animal welfare is essential
An important strength of the paper is that it recognises assistance dogs as working partners whose welfare must be protected. The authors emphasise:

* Appropriate selection of suitable dogs.
* Positive, humane training methods.
* Ongoing monitoring of the dog’s wellbeing.
* Adequate rest and downtime.
* Retirement planning throughout the dog’s working life.

08/07/2026

Applications Now Open – ATL Animal-Assisted Mental Health Pathways & Outreach Funding

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our end-of-financial-year donors—and with every donation matched dollar for dollar by Animal Therapies Ltd—we are pleased to announce a new round of funding for our Animal-Assisted Mental Health Pathways & Outreach Program.

This program provides funded access to animal-assisted services for eligible individuals who may otherwise be unable to access the support they need.

Please note:
• Funding is limited and applications will close once all available funding has been allocated.
• Funding is available only to applicants who have not previously received funding through this program.
• Eligibility criteria apply.

If you or someone you know could benefit from animal-assisted services and do not have the financial means to access it, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Apply here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RJ8G38S

Thank you to everyone who donated and helped make this funding round possible. Your support is directly improving access to animal-assisted services for Australians who need them most.