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Welcome to Bridging Bonds: The Human-Animal Connection in Therapy

Event Details:

  • Date: July 5th, Friday

  • Time: Schmooze 12:30, Lecture promptly at 1pm, Schmooze til 1:30pm

  • Location: Strides to Solutions, Moshav Sitiryya, Central Israel 

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About the Lecture: Join us for an enlightening event, "Bridging Bonds: The Human-Animal Connection in Therapy," featuring Nancy Parish-Plass, renowned researcher, author, speaker, and psychotherapist. As the Chairperson of the Israeli Association of Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy, Nancy Parish-Plass will share her extensive knowledge and insights on the therapeutic benefits of the human-animal connection.

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Who Should Attend: This event is open to the public and medical practitioners, including:

  • Psychologists and therapists

  • Medical professionals

  • Educators

  • Social workers

  • Students in related fields

  • Animal therapy enthusiasts

  • Anyone interested in learning about animal-assisted therapy for themselves or a loved one

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What You'll Learn:

  • The powerful impact of animal-assisted therapy on emotional and mental well-being.

  • Real-life case studies and research findings from a leading expert in the field.

  • Practical applications of animal-assisted interventions in therapeutic settings.

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The Science Behind Animal-Assisted Therapy: Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a growing field that leverages the human-animal bond to promote mental health and well-being. Scientific studies have shown that interactions with therapy animals can:

  • Reduce stress and anxiety levels by lowering cortisol (stress hormone) levels and increasing oxytocin (the "love hormone").

  • Improve mood and alleviate symptoms of depression.

  • Enhance social interaction and communication skills.

  • Provide comfort and companionship, particularly in therapeutic environments.

  • Encourage physical activity and improve overall physical health.

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Why Attend?

  • Expert Insights: Gain valuable knowledge from Nancy Parish-Plass, a pioneer in animal-assisted therapy.

  • Engaging Content: Learn about the latest research and practical approaches to incorporating animals into therapy.

  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with professionals and enthusiasts in the field of animal-assisted therapy.

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RSVP Required: To secure your spot at this exclusive event, please RSVP by filling out the form below. Additional event details will be emailed to you once the date and time are confirmed. Limited seats available

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Contact Us: For more information or assistance, please contact us at:

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Location: Strides to Solutions Moshav Sitiryya, Central Israel (Only 20 minutes from the airport, 10 mins from Rehovot, 15 mins from Modiin, 15 mins from Rishon LeTsiyon, 45 mins from Jerusalem, 1 hour from Haifa). There is no bus that goes directly into the moshav. From the bus stop outside of the moshav to the farm is about a 15 minute walk. It is best to either drive in a car directly to the farm, carpool with someone already coming or take a taxi. There is no transportation provided to this free event. 

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RSVP: This is by RSVP only. Please fill out form below. This event is at no charge and it's purpose is for education only. 

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Language: This lecture is in English

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Length of time: The lecture will be approx. 30 mins. There will be a shmooze 30 mins before and 30 mins after. 

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Light refreshments will be served.

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Join Us: Don't miss this unique opportunity to explore the profound bond between humans and animals in therapy. We look forward to welcoming you to Strides to Solutions for this special lecture!

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*Please don't feed the horses

*Our facility is currently under construction. Please do not mind our dust. Literally. 

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Video directions to Strides To Solutions 49 Hagefen Sitria,Israel מושב סתריה רחוב הגפן 49

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Nancy Parish-Plass Publications:

Parish-Plass, N. (2008). Animal-assisted therapy with children suffering from insecure attachment due to abuse and neglect: A method to lower the risk of intergenerational transmission of abuse? Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 13(1), 7–30. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359104507086338 

 

Parish-Plass, N. (Ed.). (2013a). Animal-assisted psychotherapy: Theory, issues, and practice. West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Press.

 

Parish-Plass, N. (2013). The contribution of animal-assisted psychotherapy to the potential space in play therapy. Animal-assisted psychotherapy: Theory, issues, and practice (pp. 79–110). West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt6wq5c3.9

 

Parish-Plass, N. (2016, July 11–13). Ethics as a psychotherapy intervention: A mechanism unique to animal-assisted psychotherapy (AAP). Poster session at the

International Association of Human-Animal Interactions Organization 2016 Triennial International Conference, Paris, France. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341597477_Ethics_as_a_Psychotherapy_Intervention_-_A_Mechanism_Unique_to_Animal-Assisted_Psychotherapy_AAP_PDF 

 

Parish-Plass, N. (2017). Order out of chaos revised: A call for clear and agreed upon definitions differentiating between animal-assisted interventions. 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/307908063_Order_Out_of_Chaos_Revised_A_Call_for_Clear_and_Agreed-Upon_Definitions_Differentiating_Between_Animal-Assisted_Interventions

 

Parish-Plass, N. (2018). The influence of animal-assisted psychotherapy on the establishment of the therapeutic alliance with maltreated children in residential care [Unpublished master’s thesis]. University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323944061_The_Influence_of_Animal-Assisted_Psychotherapy_on_the_Establishment_of_the_Therapeutic_Alliance_with_Maltreated_Children_in_Residential_Care

 

Parish-Plass, N. (2013). The contribution of animal-assisted psychotherapy to the potential space in play therapy. In N. Parish-Plass (Ed.), Animal-assisted psychotherapy: Theory, issues, and practice (pp. 79-109). West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Press. 

 

Parish-Plass, N. (2021). Animal-assisted psychotherapy for developmental trauma through the lens of interpersonal neurobiology of trauma: Creating connection with self and others. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 31, 302–325. https://doi.org/10.1037/int0000253 

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Parish-Plass, N. (2022). Psychodynamic Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy for Children: The Animals Help Us Help Children in their Journey. In M. Kirby (Ed.), Nourished: Horses, animals & nature in counselling, psychotherapy & mental health (pp. 145-180). Australia: Aware Publishing.

 

Parish-Plass, N., & Oren, D. (2013). The animal as a relational medium: An object relations approach to the therapy triangle in animal-assisted psychotherapy.

In N. Parish-Plass (Ed.), Animal-assisted psychotherapy: Theory, issues, and practice (pp. 47–64). West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Press. 

 

Parish-Plass, N., & Oren, D. (2013). The animal as a relational medium: An object relations approach to the therapy triangle in animal-assisted psychotherapy.

In N. Parish-Plass (Ed.), Animal-assisted psychotherapy: Theory, issues, and practice (pp. 47–64). West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Press. 

 

Parish-Plass, N. & Bar-on, S. (2013). Why Israel? A Unique Direction in the Development of the Definition and Practice of Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy. In N. Parish-Plass (Ed.), Animal-assisted psychotherapy: Theory, issues, and practice (pp. 245–260). West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Press. 

 

Parish-Plass, N., & Oren, D. (2013). Dilemmas, Questions and Issues Concerning the Integration of Animals into the Psychotherapy Setting. In N. Parish-Plass (Ed.), Animal-assisted psychotherapy: Theory, issues, and practice (pp. 47–64). West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Press. 

 

Oren, D, & Parish-Plass, N. (2013). The Integration of Animals into the Therapy Process and Its Implications as a Unique Medium in Psychotherapy. In N. Parish-Plass (Ed.), Animal-assisted psychotherapy: Theory, issues, and practice (pp. 3–46). West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Press. 

 

Parish-Plass, N., & Pfeiffer, J. (2019). Implications of animal-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of developmental trauma through the lens of interpersonal neurobiology. In P. Tedeschi & M. Jenkins (Eds.), Transforming trauma: Finding resiliency and healing through animals (pp. 123–188). West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Press.

 

Parish-Plass, N. & Bachi, K. (2020). Psychodynamic animal-assisted psychotherapy: Processing and healing through relationships. In C. Driscoll (Ed.), Animal-assisted interventions for 1183 health and human service professionals (pp. 361-405). New York: Nova Science. 

 

Binder, A. J., Parish-Plass, N., Kirby, M., Winkle, M., Skwerer, D. P., Ackerman, L., ... & Wijnen, B. (2024). Recommendations for uniform terminology in animal-assisted services (AAS). Human-Animal Interactions, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2024.0003

 

 

More references:

 

Shani, L. (2017). Animal-assisted dyadic therapy: A therapy model promoting development of the reflective function in the parent–child bond. Clinical child psychology and psychiatry, 22(1), 46-58.

 

Silbert, J., & Frasca, J. (2021). Animals as the Third in Relational Psychotherapy. Routledge.

 

Trotter, K. S., & Baggerly, J. N. (2018). Equine-Assisted Mental Health Interventions. Routledge.

 

Trotter, K. S., & Baggerly, J. N. (Eds.). (2018). Equine-assisted mental health for healing trauma. New York, NY, USA:: Routledge.

 

VanFleet, R., & Faa-Thompson, T. (2017). Animal assisted play therapyTM. Sarasota, FL: Professional Resource Press.

 

Zilcha-Mano, S. (2017). Resolution of alliance ruptures: The special case of animal-assisted psychotherapy. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 22(1), 34-45.

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