When the American nurse and therapy pioneer Florence Nightingale observed in the 19th century that pets brighten the mood and recovery of patients, she laid the groundwork for something that is gaining new relevance today: the intentional incorporation of animals into therapy. What was once intuitive caregiving is now being systematically examined in addiction medicine—with results that surprise many.

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) AATAnimal-Assisted Therapy; structured inclusion of specially trained animals in a therapeutic framework is different from mere animal interaction. The goal is to enhance therapeutic processes: regulating emotions, training social skills, and increasing motivation. In the context of addiction, this means creating resilient alternatives to cravingintense, difficult-to-control desire for a substance, lowering stress, and changing behavioral patterns. Therapy dogs are often used because they facilitate contact easily, provide nonverbal safety, and offer immediate feedback. Importantly, AAT complements existing programs such as psychotherapy, withdrawal treatment, and relapse prevention—it does not replace them. The added value lies in activation: individuals engage in interaction, practice clear signals, feel boundaries, and experience self-efficacy in real-time.

What does this mean concretely? In psychiatric addiction units, patients report a noticeably better atmosphere, easier access to feelings, and less pressure to relapse when therapy dogs are present. In a prospective study with pre-post assessment, the group receiving dog therapy not only showed advantages in social interaction and emotionality but also less smoking and better strategies for dealing with craving—with medium to high effects ^[1]. Even in a challenging setting like incarceration, drug-dependent inmates improved their social skills and reduced anxiety, depression, and craving under dog-assisted therapy compared to standard rehabilitation ^[2]. These results suggest a threefold benefit: emotional stabilization, social reintegration, and practical behavior change.

The evidence so far is based on pilot and controlled studies, supplemented by randomized investigations in related fields. In a naturalistic pre-post study in residential addiction treatment, the intervention "therapy dog" was compared to standard treatment. Result: significant advantages for the AAT group in terms of ward experience, emotional competencies, and addictive behavior, including less smoking and better craving management—clinically relevant effect sizes that suggest noticeable everyday effects ^[1]. A controlled pilot program in the correctional system showed improved social skills and reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and craving after 20 dog-assisted sessions over six months compared to the control group—a strong signal for rehabilitative potential even in restrictive environments ^[2]. Systematic reviews of AAT-RCTs underline the potential of animal-assisted interventions for mental and behavioral disorders, including alcohol and drug dependence. At the same time, they emphasize the need for methodological rigor: clear descriptions of dosage, capturing side effects, reasons for non-participation, and cost analyses to reliably evaluate efficacy and implementation ^[3]. Together, a consistent picture emerges: the integration of animals as co-therapists can make therapeutic everyday goals more tangible—especially where motivation, emotion regulation, and social interaction dictate therapy success.

- Actively search for animal-assisted therapy programs in your region (therapy dogs, certified professionals) and clarify availability, setting (outpatient, inpatient), and fit with your goals in addiction treatment. Utilize healthcare resources and reputable associations; pilot data from correctional facilities and psychiatric hospitals show beneficial effects on craving, mood, and social skills ^{[2] [1]}.
- Plan active participation in group or individual sessions with animals to build social support and practice emotion regulation. Clinical observations and pre-post data indicate a better ward atmosphere, increased emotional competency, and reduced smoking behavior during AAT phases ^[1].
- Raise awareness in your environment: encourage training on animal-assisted interventions— for teams in hospitals, practices, and businesses. Reviews recommend standards for dosage, safety, and evaluation to implement AAT more sustainably and effectively ^[3].

The next developmental stage will refine the dosage of AAT: clear target criteria, digital progression data, and combinations with cognitive programs. Better-designed RCTs are expected to depict effects, costs, and safety for different addiction profiles—thus paving the way for broader, quality-assured applications.