We realized we needed to investigate if human-animal interaction and bonding was different among ages, developmental stage, gender, ethnicity, intellectual ability, and verbality. We completed the first study in verbality in December 2023. Student researchers from Team HAI coded human and animal behavior occurring during AAT sessions using two different ethograms. The results were promising that AAT can successfully be used to enhance therapeutic outcomes among autistic children regardless of their verbal ability. We hope to publish the results in Fall 2024, but some of the results are discussed in Dr. Kilmer’s presentation video in the Nursing Science Day post.
