Animals play important roles in our lives and it has been proven they can have positive impacts on our physiological and psychological well being. Health and human services providers are increasingly suggesting animal-assisted therapy (AAT) for people with various conditions, illnesses and disabilities. The special bond many people have with animals serves as a motivator during therapy sessions. AAT has also been used in some classroom settings with success. AAT is proving to be particularly successful with children with behavioral and emotional disabilities. This AAT program was designed for 4^th-6^th grade students with behavioral and emotional disabilities receiving special education services in the North Carolina public school system.

The project includes a literature review on AAT including a brief history, characteristics, benefits, safety and sanitations concerns, suggestions for AAT programs, the difference between AAT and animal-assisted activities (AAA), and situations when AAT may not be appropriate. The Agency Plan looks at policies and procedures relevant to the program and sets up the framework for the design of the program. The program plan identifies the goals and benefits of the program and includes the content and process for each session of the program.