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Psychologists' Use of Dogs in Psychotherapy: A Therapeutic Exploration

Treece, Christine A
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0872-3361
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1554402231989459

Abstract Details

2019, Psy. D., Antioch University, Antioch Seattle: Clinical Psychology.
The current fund of literature documents the many benefits of using dogs as adjunct healing agents for both physical and psychological ailments. Despite the ever-growing body of research about dogs as adjunct interventions, there is a meager amount of information available about clinician’s experience of bringing their dogs to work with them. This dissertation is an in-depth exploration of six psychologists licensed in the state of Washington who brought their dogs with them to work. Each participant’s interview was analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. From their interviews, nine primary themes were identified: Reason for the Acquisition of Dog, Nature of Dog, The Human-Dog Relationship, Interventions, Value of Dog in Therapy, Impact on Dogs, When a Dog is Not Available, Downside of Having a Dog in the Room, and Grief and Loss When Dog is No Longer Available. Responses included differences from existing literature including the multiple rolls the dogs play during the work day, how dogs are affected by attending therapy, specific ways dogs are utilized as therapeutic interventions, and some challenges of bringing a dog to the office daily.
William Heusler, Psy.D. (Committee Chair)
Dana Waters, Psy.D. (Committee Member)
Mary Wieneke, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
167 p.
Animals; Psychology; Therapy
Therapy Dog; AAT Interventions; Impact on Dogs in AAT; Psychologists; Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Treece, C. A. (2019). Psychologists' Use of Dogs in Psychotherapy: A Therapeutic Exploration [Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1554402231989459

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Treece, Christine. Psychologists' Use of Dogs in Psychotherapy: A Therapeutic Exploration. 2019. Antioch University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1554402231989459.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Treece, Christine. "Psychologists' Use of Dogs in Psychotherapy: A Therapeutic Exploration." Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1554402231989459

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

antioch1554402231989459
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© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Antioch University and OhioLINK.