Subject: HASS Communications

Description: Our goal is to promote the idea that Animal Assisted Therapy and Animal Assisted Activity bridge the enormous gap between home and all of the places we encounter in everyday life. The hospital doesn't have to be cold and terrifying. Work doesn't have to be dull and uninspiring. And lastly, and most important to our current situation, school and the University can be a home away from home complete with faces filled with unconditional love. AAT has many different applications that come into play in everyday life, like helping an autistic child to relax while learning, and helping nurses in the workplace gain a needed respite from the pressures of work. Also, AAT can help reduce the severe stress a soldier encounters when returning from the war zone and coping with the incredible change in everyday life.

Out biggest focus is to bring animal therapy teams from the UVa hospital to students during finals week to alleviate stress.