Assessing the efficacy of dogs in Animal Assisted Therapy and the mechanisms of action across a range of therapeutic settings.

Animal Assisted Therapy ('AAT') is the process of using animals for the
therapeutic benefit of humans. The method is now widespread in the UK,
being currently used in schools, hospitals, and nursing homes, and with a
range of population groups.
However, scientific support for its use is largely lacking, due to failures to
meet acceptable standards for scientific rigour. Also, existing studies fail to
identify the mechanisms by which AAT may produce benefits. One
suggestion for how AAT 'works' is the Biophilia Hypothesis which proposes
that humans have a need to affiliate with animals. Conversely, observed
efficacy could be due to novelty or because the experience is distracting.
Thus, the aim of this PhD is twofold. Firstly, to provide sound scientific
assessment of the efficacy of AAT on anxiety across a range of settings (using
appropriate control measures, sound experimental design, and sufficient
sample sizes). The second aim is to test the mechanisms underlying AAT. The
theory of Biophilia purports that properties specific to living animals, such as
their interactivity, are responsible for the positive outcomes observed, yet
this hypothesis has not been systematically tested. This proposed study
would investigate possible mechanisms of action by comparing outcomes
using therapy dogs, a biomimetic robot and other robust controls.
Assessing the extent to which AAT reduces anxiety across a variety of
contexts, and gaining insights in to how positive outcomes may be achieved,
will provide clear guidance for a range of institutions, benefitting children,
therapists, professionals and staff.