Sentience-centered practice in animal-assisted services: An animal-forward perspective

Abstract This commentary advocates for a paradigm shift in animal-assisted services (AAS) human-centric model to a sentience-centered practice. Grounded in the 2025 Global Declaration of Animal Sentience in Animal-Assisted Services and bolstered by scientific consensus on animal consciousness, we argue that ethical AAS must formally recognize animals as sentient participants, not tools. Current legal frameworks, particularly in the United States, which treat animals as property, are inadequate. We propose a justice-oriented framework to operationalize sentience-centered ethics, ensuring animals can flourish within AAS. This entails prioritizing well-being, honoring animal agency, and respecting core entitlements. By centering sentience, AAS professionals can deepen therapeutic outcomes and ethical obligations by advocating for robust legal protections that reflect contemporary understanding of animals as sentient beings.