Research in Human-Animal Interaction
Loukaki, K.; Koukoutsakis, P.; Kostomitsopoulos, N.
European Journal of Companion Animal Practice. 2011. 21: 2, 167-170. 29
Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a method of complementary treatment in the rehabilitation of many human illnesses and conditions. Although the dog is the most widely used therapy animal that is used in AAT programmes, the rabbit can also be used as an alternative animal species and complementary therapy for many diseases. It is an intelligent, human friendly and playful small animal, easily socialised and transported. Also, the rabbit has very good communication through its body language. A special bond also exists between children and rabbits, and in the animal world of children, the rabbit is a very popular animal mainly because of children's literature. As a result, rabbits elicit positive feelings in children and enhance their imagination. Based on previous experience from an AAT programme with rabbits in a children's hospital, the rabbit can be easily accepted by children with emotional or physical problems. In order for an AAT programme with a rabbit to be a success, it is very important to guarantee the good health and normal behaviour of the rabbit, as well as its proper welfare. The contribution and participation of a veterinarian during the design and the implementation of the programme are also very important for assuring the success of an AAT programme with rabbits.