CT HB06725

Expands definitions of animal-assisted therapy and activities to include teams of registered handlers and licensed therapists working with trained therapy animals, moving beyond crisis response to include broader behavioral health care needs.

Requires the Commissioner of Children and Families to develop and implement training by January 1, 2016 for DCF employees and mental health providers on the healing benefits of human-animal bonds and animal-assisted therapy.

Directs the Commissioner of Children and Families to develop a protocol by January 1, 2016 to identify and mobilize animal-assisted critical incident response teams throughout the state to provide services within 24 hours of traumatic events.

Requires development of a protocol by July 1, 2016 to credential animal-assisted activity organizations and providers, and to utilize animal-assisted activities and therapy to aid children and youths experiencing trauma and loss.