All of us here at AATPC love animals and have a special relationship with our animal partners. Most of the animals were rescued and each have a story of their own (see our Bio section to learn more about our animals!) where they needed to learn to trust and bond. And each were chosen to be a pet partner because they have demonstrated keen instincts of the needs of others, while also being calm, patient and tolerant. While Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a relatively new field, much research has been conducted that demonstrates the power that animals can have in the emotional and physical healing of people. For some clients, all that is needed is to have an animal present in the room for them to feel calmer and more open. This can be true for adults, couples and families, as well as with children and seniors. In addition to their presence, animals can be used to develop specific interventions, aimed at meeting pre-determined therapeutic goals.