Animals can have a beneficial impact on the health and/or well-being of humans. While interactions between human and animals can be mutually beneficial, it cannot be assumed that because the interaction is positive for the human that it is necessarily also a positive experience for the animals. Potential risks to animal welfare include; unsuitable animals being chosen, the duration and intensity of work, and handler bias leading to failure to recognise signs of stress.

SPCA advocates that Animal Assisted Service (ASS) programmes should prioritise the physical, health, and behavioural needs of the animal ahead of the handler and human participants’ desire to participate in AAS. Animals should always have the choice not to participate in the interaction.

SPCA supports efforts to protect and enhance the welfare of animals involved in these services through standards which include requirements for providers to promote positive welfare and demonstrate their ability to recognise, prevent and appropriately respond to signs of stress.

SPCA is concerned about the lack of research on the welfare impacts of animals used in AAS and the increasing prevalence and lack of regulation of AAS programmes.

Where animals are used in AAS, SPCA recommends that their suitability is assessed on a case-by-case basis, with consideration to their species, age, temperament, life history, and the specifics of the intervention. Animals should be properly assessed for suitability for the programme, supervised at all times, and have the choice of participation in the event (e.g. be free to engage or disengage with the activity).