A Comparison of Animal Assisted Therapy with Talk Therapy for Treating Anxiety among University Students

Abstract

The current quantitative, quasi-experimental study examined the efficacy of Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) in the treatment of anxiety among university students. Specifically, the study sought to determine if any differences in outcomes existed between those students who participated in AAT as compared to those who participated in traditional talk therapy (TTT), as measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale (GAD-7) (Spitzer et al., 2006) and the Anxiety (ANX) and Global Severity Index (GSI) scales of the Symptom Checklist–90–Revised Form (SCL-90-R) (Derogatis, 1994). Additionally, the current study sought to explore if differences in outcomes existed, for those participating in AAT, based on age, gender, or status of pet ownership. In exploring these areas of interest, the study sought to add to the growing body of research on AAT while offering practical insight and applications regarding its use to clinicians in university and college counseling centers as well as those who utilize AAT in other clinical settings.