本研究旨在探索慢性思覺失調症患者參與動物輔助治療的療癒歷程。研究者自自 2011年 3月 21日至 2011年 9月 19日，每週一次，共 24次，每次 90分鐘，以參與觀察的方式，藉由與治療犬互動的支持性團體活動設計，收集病患在活動過程中的資料。透過 20位病患的活動學習單、團體分享紀錄、活動照片及錄影、研究日誌等研究資料，進行內容分析，找出慢性思覺失調症患者參與動物輔助治療的療癒歷程為：開啟連結、與治療犬為友、與病患為友及引發自我效能感。最後討論影響療癒力形成之可能因素，包含治療犬的魅力、撫摸經驗及支持性團體技巧的應用。

The research was to explore the healing process of chronic schizophrenic patients who participated in a structural animal-assisted therapeutic program (AAT). 24 times of supportive group activity design, by “interacting” therapy dogs, were applied into 20 chronic schizophrenic patients, once per week, 90 minutes each time, during 21.Mar 2011 and 9. Sep 2011. By using participating observation method, the researcher collected and analyzed the contents of patients’ activity feedbacks, group process recordings, pictures, videos, and field notes. Four steps of the AAT healing process were found: (1) starting connecting relationship; (2) making friends with therapy dogs; (3) making friends with other patients; (4) initiating self-efficacy. The potential factors for forming this healing including “the attraction of therapy dogs”, “touching experiences”, and “supportive group skills.”