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HELPING PAWS
NEW SOCIAL WORK COURSE EXPLORES
THE BENEFITS OF ANIMAL THERAPY
Growing up, Jackson Isaacs always felt drawn to animals. So when
Isaacs learned TCU planned to offer a course in animal-assisted therapy
in spring 2014, the social work major jumped at the opportunity.
“Animal-assisted therapy combines my personal mission to serve
vulnerable populations with my love of animals,” said Isaacs, who
graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in social work. “It was the
perfect course for me.”
Isaacs was among the nearly 30 students who enrolled in the first-time
class, taught by adjunct professor Diana Davis. Topics included how to
incorporate animal-assisted therapy into work with victims of physical,
sexual and emotional abuse, as well as the link between animal cruelty
and domestic violence.
Students in the course toured the Fort Worth Zoo, met with animal
handlers and therapists, and visited the Victory Therapy Center in
Roanoke, which provides therapeutic horse riding to people of
all ages.
Animal-assisted therapy is increasingly recognized as an effective way
to help children, according to Davis, who is also the clinical director for
Alliance for Children, a Tarrant County advocacy center dedicated to the
protection and healing of victims of child abuse. In 2007, Davis initiated
an animal-assisted therapy program at Alliance and its success led her
to help design the new course at TCU.
“Animals provide unconditional love. There is no judgment,” said Davis.
“They do not care what kind of day you have had— they are just happy
to see you. Unfortunately, that is not always something our kids have
in their lives.”
By Sarah Bahari
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· Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences