The incorporation of therapy animals into psychological treatment has proven to be an effective form of treatment option for college students, yet limited information exists around the implementation of animal assisted interventions within groupwork. The purpose of this study was to gain understanding of animal assisted group therapy (AAGT) on college campuses from the perspective of college mental health counselors. The phenomenon of AAGT was explored as it relates to the lived experiences of three college-based mental health practitioners. To understand the lived experiences of those who lead AAGT, a qualitative Hermeneutic phenomenological study employing a social constructionism lens was conducted. Each participant engaged in a semi-structured interview. Diekelmann et al.'s (1989) seven step process was used to analyze the dataset. Findings are categorized into three structural themes: adapting ethically, augmenting group treatment, and enhancing relationships. Connection was described by participants as the essence of AAGT and is represented throughout each theme. Implications for counselors, study limitations, and recommendations for future research are discussed. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]