Animals in recovery: how to develop an animal therapy program at a residential treatment facility for people with a mental health diagnosis

Animal therapy has many health benefits for people and can be incorporated into the mental health recovery process. People with a mental health diagnosis can suffer from many negative mental health symptoms. Currently there is not a formal animal therapy program for people living at a residential treatment facility for people with a mental health diagnosis. Crestwood Behavioral Health Center staff were interviewed about what components are necessary in developing and animal program and what an animal therapy program might look like at their facility. A how to manual was developed with the steps necessary to start an animal therapy program. Based on the interviews Crestwood Behavioral Health Center would need to follow the Pet Partners guidelines in developing an animal therapy program and included what would be appropriate to the uniqueness of their facility. It is hoped Crestwood Behavioral Health Center will use the how to manual and start the implementation process and register their facility with Pet Partners Animal Therapy Program.