Also at this time, assessment of animal allergies or phobias can be determined. The animal-assisted therapist arranges with volunteers to provide cats who best meet the needs of the therapy situation. Sometimes the clients re best served by a cat and dog team. This can be arranged through Pets and People. Volunteers are appraised of the types of clients and the therapeutic goals which whom they will be working.
Volunteers work in a specific setting for a specific amount of time.
This consistency helps clients anticipate the interactions and provides for more involvement in the program. Since therapeutic decisions may be based partly on the AAT sessions, consistency is important. After the therapy session is complete, volunteers and therapeutic staff meet to evaluate the interactions. Each person contributes their observations and assessments of each session. The therapeutic staff then notes the client's progress toward the predetermined goal in the health care or therapy record.