What are Animal-Assisted Interventions?

Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) consists of Education (AAE), Activities (AAA), and Therapy (AAT).  AAE includes animal welfare, identifying animal behavior, and safely interacting with animals.  AAA consist of casual visits to public settings as well as private settings to provide comfort and/or companionship when requested by either the individual, the family member, or a human service professional.  AAT is a formal, purposeful visit, to include goal-orientated interventions with measurable outcomes.  Health and human service professionals that may incorporate AAI's into their setting are Registered Nurses (in nursing interventions), counselors, teachers, and physicians. 

Caring for our Military Children

Our U.S. Military has been in sustained conflict for over 17 years and it is taking its toll on our military families.  Often described as the most resilient group of children, a comprehensive California study (2013) measured the impact the conflict has had on children of military families.  The study concluded that in a survey of over 500 adolescents, both military and nonmilitary children, indicated military children were 3 times more likely to abuse alcohol or drugs, engage in risky behavior, and be at risk of suicide.  Please encourage screening of children at appointments or in schools to include asking if they are a part of a military family as there are both civilian an military resources available specifically geared towards protecting and supporting the health of our U.S. military children.  

For resources specific to caring for our military families and their children, please download this free form here.