As an addendum, found some of the information I have looked at from time to time as I consider this as a possible path.
(Please forgive me for no longer knowing how to code an html link.)
Links Below:
This is from the American Counseling Association, the professional body that develops ethics and protocols for people who are licensed as mental health counselors. I imagine the American Psychological Association may have their own such document.
This is an organization in Colorado that offers Animal Assisted Therapy to clients. It also trains therapists to provide animal assisted therapy. One of the benefits that cats provide is they are very clear about their tolerance (or lack thereof) to anger, aggression, yelling, and similar behaviors and can help clients learn to modulate their behaviors in ways they may not learn through human interaction.
as an afterthought...
(Please forgive me for no longer knowing how to code an html link.)
Links Below:
This is from the American Counseling Association, the professional body that develops ethics and protocols for people who are licensed as mental health counselors. I imagine the American Psychological Association may have their own such document.
https://www.animalassistedtherapyprograms.org/images/ACA_animal-assisted-therapy-competencies-june-2016_1.pdf
This is an organization in Colorado that offers Animal Assisted Therapy to clients. It also trains therapists to provide animal assisted therapy. One of the benefits that cats provide is they are very clear about their tolerance (or lack thereof) to anger, aggression, yelling, and similar behaviors and can help clients learn to modulate their behaviors in ways they may not learn through human interaction.
https://www.animalassistedtherapyprograms.org/