Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT), particularly canine-assisted psychotherapy (CAP), has been shown to offer additional benefits alongside standard treatments for various mental health conditions. CAP has demonstrated positive effects on primary diagnoses and symptomatology, including improvements in internalizing disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and externalizing behaviors such as anger and anxiety (Jones et al., 2019). Additionally, therapy dogs can enhance treatment outcomes by reducing stress and acute anxious arousal while fostering greater engagement and rapport between clients and therapists (Jones et al., 2018). Research also indicates that the presence of therapy animals can improve socialization behaviors, reduce disruptive behaviors during treatment sessions, and enhance global functioning (Martin & Farnum, 2002). Physiologically, interactions with therapy animals have been associated with lower cortisol levels, a key stress marker, contributing to emotional regulation and relaxation (Beetz et al., 2012). AAT has further been found to strengthen therapeutic rapport and improve overall emotional well-being across diverse client populations (Kruger & Serpell, 2010). Moreover, therapy dogs have been recognized for their role in enhancing mental health outcomes, particularly for individuals experiencing anxiety and depression (Marcus, 2013). These findings support the integration of AAT into psychological treatment to promote emotional well-being and therapeutic engagement.