Marshall, Chloe (2024) Incorporating AAT into Psychology and Exercise Physiology Practice: Clinical Considerations. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
As the interest in Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) continues to rise, the field is experiencing a paradigm shift towards more evidence-based practices and the need for clearly defined standards. This study employs a qualitative approach, utilising Structed Tabular Thematic Analysis (ST-TA) to explore the perspectives of clinical psychologists and exercise physiologists regarding AAT within clinical practice, in Australia. Open survey response of 151 psychologists and 151 exercise physiologists, using ST-TA, allowed for key themes to be identified, including the need for appropriate training, ethical considerations, client-specific factors influencing AAT effectiveness, an overwhelming support for AAT, financial considerations, animal management and wellbeing, and the challenges associated with the lack of standardised guidelines. The findings emphasise the importance of establishing comprehensive training programs and ethical guidelines to ensure the appropriate implementation of AAT. Addressing these issues is essential for the advancement and progression of AAT as a reliable and safe therapeutic option, benefiting both practitioners and clients.
|
Statistics for this ePrint Item |
| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Wellbeing (1 Jan 2022 -) |
| Supervisors: | Dr Brown, Samantha |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 28 Jan 2026 00:52 |
| Last Modified: | 28 Jan 2026 00:52 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | animal assisted therapy (AAT), evidence based practices, clinical psychologists, exercise physiologists, structured tabular thematic analysis (ST-TA), ethical considerations, training requirements |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1701 Psychology > 170106 Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5203 Clinical and health psychology > 520304 Health psychology |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/53102 |
Actions (login required)
 |
Archive Repository Staff Only |
