The Animal-Assisted Interventions Alliance

Description:

This Alliance is devoted to the study of animal-assisted interventions (AAI), whereby animals are included in health, education, and human services for the purpose of therapeutic gains. Animal-assisted therapies, education, and activities seek to provide a range of benefits, in physical and mental health, in addition to behavioural change and quality of life. Animals involved in such interventions are viewed as co-therapists whose well-being, including the right to flourish, is of paramount concern.

The Alliance’s research agenda seeks to empirically demonstrate that live human-animal interaction has unique therapeutic effects for the general public, as well as for those populations with clinical dysfunction. Our investigations will contribute to evidence-based practice in the field of animal-assisted interventions.

Capitalising on the strengths of individual team members and collaborators across the disciplines of anthrozoology, equine science, veterinary science, philosophy, psychology, social work, education, and rehabilitation therapies amongst others, this Alliance provides opportunities for world-class, multidisciplinary research of the highest standards.

Directors:

Associate Professor Carlie Driscoll (School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences)

Dr Judy Cawdell-Smith (School of Agriculture and Food Sciences)

Deputy Director:

Dr Jessica Hill (UQ School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences)

Members:

• Animal Behaviourist -  Evangelos Diamantakos (University of Thessaly, Greece)
• Animal Endocrinology – Dr Stephen Anderson (UQ School of Biomedical Sciences)
• Animal Welfare & Ethics - Dr Edward Narayan (UQ School of Agriculture & Food Sciences)
• Audiology – Assoc/Prof Carlie Driscoll (UQ School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences)
• Counselling – Dr Bronwyn Robson (Mental Health First Aid), Dr Denis O’Hara (UQ School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Social Work), Willow Vetch
• Education – Maria Ejlertsen (UQ School of Education)
• Equine Science - Dr Judy Cawdell-Smith (UQ School of Agriculture & Food Sciences), Dr Kate Fenner (University of Sydney), Tangi Irwin (Texas Tech University)
• Hospitality & Tourism – Maria Paz Astorayme Del Rio (UQ School of Business)
• Law – Dr Paul Harpur (UQ TC Beirne School of Law)
• Medicine - Dr Theresa Scott (UQ School of Medicine)
• Occupational Therapy - Prof Pamela Meredith (University of the Sunshine Coast); Dr Jessica Hill (UQ School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences); Dr Julie Netto (Curtin University); Dr Anita Hamilton (University of the Sunshine Coast).
• Philosophy (Ethics) – Dr Simon Coghlan (University of Adelaide)
• Physiotherapy – Helen Edwards (Brisbane Equine Assisted Therapy)
• Psychology - Prof Nancy Pachana (UQ School of Psychology); Dr Rachel Hogg (Charles Sturt University, Dept. of Psychology), Michelle Black (Elegrow); Prof Tania Signal (Central Queensland University); Yuen Yee (University Putra Malaysia).
• Social Work – Dr Bindi Bennett (University of the Sunshine Coast), Dr Deborah Walsh (UQ School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Social Work)
• Veterinary Science – Dr Judy Cawdell-Smith; Dr Simon Coghlan; Dr Kim McMahon (Nundah Village Veterinary Clinic); Dr Liam Clay (UQ);  Trish Eats (UQ); Dr Rebekah Scotney (UQ); Dr Charlotte Tinsley (UQ).

Research Higher Degree Candidates:

We are seeking new PhD/MPhil Students for projects in these areas:

• Animal-Assisted Therapy in Audiology: Investigate how goal-oriented, planned, and structured interventions involving equines and canines can be directed by audiologists to improve the lives of those with central auditory processing disorder, tinnitus and hyperacusis, balance disorders, and other otologic conditions.
• Therapeutic Effects of Volunteering in Animal-Assisted Interventions: Discover the benefits to both human volunteers and working animals involved in AAI.

In the media:

"How therapy dogs are teaching occupational therapy students" - 9 News

Publications by Members:

Hill, J., Driscoll, C., Cawdell-Smith, J., Anderson, S., & Ziviani, J. (2023). Investigating dog welfare when interacting with autistic children within canine-assisted occupational therapy sessions: A Single Case Study. Animals, 13, 1965. doi.org/10.3390/ani13121965

Salmon, A., Driscoll, C., Paterson, M., Harpur, P., & Pachana, N. (2022). Issues regarding the welfare of assistance dogs. Animals, 12, 3250.
Grell, J., Driscoll, C., & Pachana, N. (2020). Looking for a better quality of life: Characteristics and expectations of Australians on a waitlist for a hearing assistance dog. Journal of Hearing Science, 10(2), 40-54.

Hill, J., Zivianni, J., & Driscoll, C. (2020). The connection just happens: Therapists perspectives of canine assisted occupational therapy for children on the autism spectrum. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 67(6), 550-562.

Hill, J., Driscoll, C, Zivianni, J., & Cawdell-Smith, J. (2020). Canine assisted occupational therapy for children on the autism spectrum: A pilot randomised control trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(11), 4106-4120.

Hill, J., Driscoll, C., & Zivianni, J. (2020). Canine assisted occupational therapy for children on the autism spectrum: Parents’ perspectives. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 67, 427-436.

Driscoll, C. (2020). Animal-assisted interventions in Audiology: Paws have only scratched the surface. In C. J. Driscoll (Ed.), Animal-assisted interventions for health and human service professionals. Nova Science. 

Driscoll, C., et al. (2020). Minimum standards for the conduct of animal-assisted interventions. In C. J. Driscoll (Ed.), Animal-assisted interventions for health and human service professionals. Nova Science.

Driscoll, C.J. (Ed.). (2020). Animal-Assisted Interventions for Health and Human Service Professionals. NY: Nova Science.

Driscoll, C., & Cawdell-Smith, J. (2017). Animal-Assisted Interventions: A potential role in audiological rehabilitation? The Hearing Journal, 70(9), 34-35.

Hill, J., Zivianni, J., Driscoll, C., & Cawdell-Smith, J. (2018). Canine assisted interventions and social behaviours for children on the autism spectrum: A systematic review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, in press.

Harpur, P., Bronitt, S., Billings, P., Verreynne, M-L., & Pachana, N. (2018). Regulating fake assistance animals - A comparative review of disability law in Australia and the United States. Animal Law Review, 1, 77-97.

Harpur, P., Verreynne, M-L., Pachana, N., Billings, P., & Ritchie, B. (2016). Disability assistance animals or not? Problems in policy and practice workshop: Summary and scoping discussion paper. <http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:409735>

Harpur, P., & Pachana, N. (2018). My Animal, my support, and my new home in a retirement village: Disability discrimination, assistance animals and old age. Elder Law Review, in press.

Hunter, C., Verreynne, M-L., Pachana, N., & Harpur, P. (2018). The impact of disability-assistance animals on the psychological health of workplaces: A systematic review. Human Resource Management Review, in press.

Wood, E., Harpur, P., & Pachana, N.A. (2018). Teaching an old dog new tricks:  A look into courthouse facility dogs and their place in the Australian courtroom. Alternative Law Journal, 2, 89-95.

Hill, J., Zivianni, J., Cawdell-Smith, J., & Driscoll, C. (2019). Canine assisted occupational therapy: Protocol of a pilot randomised control trial for children on the autism spectrum. Open Journal of Pediatrics, 9, 199-217.

Hill, J., Zivianni, J., Driscoll, C., & Cawdell-Smith, J. (2019). Animal assisted occupational therapy for children on the autism spectrum: Challenges in practice. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0308022619858851.

Interested in Joining Us?

Please email enquiries.aai@uq.edu.au

Support, Donations and Bequests

You can support our important research endeavours in many ways:

1. By making a direct donation to the Alliance or to a specific project. To do this, please contact enquiries.aai@uq.edu.au.
2. By making a bequest to the Alliance in your Will. For more information on how to make a bequest, please contact the Bequests and Planned Giving Manager on +61 7 3346 3904 or email bequest@uq.edu.au. For more information on what a bequest is and what your bequest can support, you can download this Bequests and Legacies Fact Sheet
3. By sponsoring a new PhD student through provision of a scholarship. Please contact enquiries.aai@uq.edu.au to discuss this option.
4. By joining us in a collaborative research project involving your organisation.

Affiliations:

• Animal Therapies Ltd. 
• Animals & Society Institute.