Clinician's Guide to Treating Companion Animal Issues : Addressing Human-Animal Interaction

Clinician’s Guide to Treating Animal Companion Issues: Addressing Human-Animal Interaction is the first of its kind―a groundbreaking resource for mental health professionals who want the knowledge, skills and awareness to successfully work with pet-owning clients. The book trains clinicians across multiple disciplines to feel more comfortable and confident addressing companion-related issues―both when those issues are the primary reason for seeking therapy or a critical component in better understanding client needs. The book uses current human-animal interactions theories as a foundation to explore pet-related issues utilizing behavioral, cognitive behavioral, family systems, humanistic and contemporary psychodynamic therapeutic orientations.

Users will find sections on the many issues that arise during the lifespan of pet owners (e.g., children, young adults, elderly), as well as issues pertinent to specific populations (e.g., men, homeless, ethnically diverse). Additional topics include the violence link, pet death and bereavement, and behavioral issues. As the first book to approach human-animal interactions (HAI) from a multi-theoretical perspective, it helps clinicians appropriately acknowledge and incorporate relevant HAI issues within therapy to achieve goals.

• Provides practical information for immediate use in practice
• Focuses on common issues relating to companion animals
• Addresses bereavement, attachment, behavior, and more
• Includes interactive readings, case studies and therapeutic exercises
• Contains multiple theoretical orientations (behavioral, cognitive behavioral, family systems, humanistic and psychodynamic approaches)

Lori Kogan is a licensed psychologist and Associate Professor of Clinical Sciences for the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University. She is currently engaged in several research projects pertaining to the intersection of the human animal interactions, the human animal bond, and veterinary medicine. She is the editor of the Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin, an open-access, online publication supported by Division 17 (Counseling Psychology) of the American Psychological Association. She is also the founder/director of Pets Forever, a Colorado State University sponsored program and service learning course designed to help low income elderly and disabled pet owners. In addition, Dr. Kogan has years of experience providing individual and couples counseling to veterinary students, faculty and staff. She has published numerous journal articles, co-authored book chapters, and given invited presentations on topics related to human animal interactions in both psychology and veterinary medicine venues.

Chris Blazina is a psychologist, professor, and author/editor of six books, and more than 50 publications. The books include: The Cultural Myth of Masculinity; The Secret Lives of Men; An International Psychology of Men; The Psychology of the Human-Animal Bond; Men and Their Dogs: A New Understanding of Man’s Best Friend, and, When Man Meets Dog. When Man Meets Dog was awarded the 2016 National Indie Excellence Award for Men’s Health. Dr. Blazina’s main area of research and clinical practice involves men’s psychology, and most recently, human-animal interaction, especially as it impacts males across the life span. He is a member of international editorial boards for journals and advisory panels for book publishers. Dr. Blazina is currently a faculty member at New Mexico State University.