Philip Tedeschi

Animal Assisted Play Therapy by Risë VanFleet and Tracie Faa-Thompson offers an illuminating new resource in the field of the therapeutic inclusion of animals. This powerful and comprehensive new text offers practitioners a substantive and instructive new look at the role of canines and equines as partners in play therapy. I’ve had the opportunity to lead the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work program and each year carefully review the emerging sources of new knowledge available to teach our graduate programs focused on animal assisted social work. Risë VanFleet and Tracie Faa-Thompson represent two of our most experienced and professional colleagues. This new offering will be added to the important sources of information and best practice for those professionals incorporating animals in their clinical practice. Attention to understanding and partnering with the specific animals, thoughtfully presented case examples with attention to applied ethics, safety, animal well-being and evidence-oriented goals make this book an important contribution to understanding and optimizing the power of the human-animal connection. This book is destined to become an important part of our field’s core training competencies and a showcase for the many benefits and potential offered by Animal Assisted Play Therapy.