ABSTRACT
Let us begin by describing a meta-analysis of animal assisted therapy performed by Nimer and Lundahl (2007). These researchers conducted a comprehensive search of articles on AAT. Three strategies were used to identify studies investigating the effectiveness of the outcomes after an animal was introduced into the study. First, a computer search of 11 databases was conducted in 2004 using 19 keywords. Second, hand searches were conducted on three journals that tend to publish studies on AAT from the years 1973-2004; these were Anthrozoös, Applied Animal Behavior, and Society & Animals. Third, there was a search through all the reference sections of all retrieved articles for additional studies. These search strategies resulted in the review of 250 studies, 49 of which met inclusion criteria and were submitted to meta-analytic procedures. “Studies were included if they a) reported on AAT and not AAA or pet ownership, b) included at least five participants in a treatment group, c) were written in English, and d) provided sufficient data to compute an effect size” (p. 227). The overall results determined that “AAT was associated with moderate effect sizes in improving outcomes in four areas: Autism-spectrum symptoms, medical difficulties, behavioral problems, and emotional well-being. Contrary to expectations, characteristics of participants and studies did not produce differential outcomes” (p. 225). The researchers concluded, “AAT shows promise as an additive to established interventions and future research should investigate the conditions under which AAT can be most helpful” (p. 225).
