Animal Assisted Therapy: Improving Treatment Outcomes

Tuition: $495

Hours: 15 or 1.5 CEUs

Prerequisite: None

Who Attends: Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants, and other healthcare professionals.

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT), or use of a goal-directed intervention in which an animal that meets specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process, is offering promising outcomes in many arenas. Meant to be used in conjunction with conventional therapies and delivered by health/human service professions within their scope of practice, AAT may be a valuable component designed to promote improvement in human physical, social, emotional and/or cognitive functioning. This seminar will explore the history, theory and research outcomes related to animal-assisted therapy and in particular the use of dogs as a therapeutic tool.

Upcoming Dates and Locations: No upcoming dates available at this time. Check our Catalog to view our other CPE options.

Learning Outcomes:

At the completion of this seminar the attendee should be able to:

• Discuss history and background of use of animals in a therapeutic manner.
• Analyze rationale for use of animals to improve treatment outcomes.
• Utilize the evidence citing the use of animals in a therapeutic setting for future practice.
• Cite reasons for success of animals (dogs) in a therapeutic setting.
• Discuss the motivational reasons for the therapeutic use of animals.
• Explain how dogs can be used to achieve specific therapeutic goals.
• Demonstrate knowledge in development and implementation of an AAT program relevant to individual practice.
• Review the risk and safety obstacles inherent in use of AAT.

SCHEDULE

DAY ONE

8:00 – 10:00 AM – Intro to AAT including history/ Initial survey
10:00 – 10:15 AM BREAK
10:15 – 12:15 PM – AAT Background Rational for use of AAT
12:15 – 3:30 PM – Discussion- Success and motivational basis for AAT use ; Briefing – animal demo
3:30 – 3:45 PM BREAK
3:45 – 6:00 PM – AAT evidence review; Presentation of student AAT “project” guidelines

DAY TWO

8:00 – 10:00 AM – Student AAT “project” presentations; Review risk and safety obstacles inherent in use of AAT
10:00 – 10:15 AM BREAK
10:15 – 12:00 PM – Project BARC; AAT lesson plan sample/ demo
12:00 – 12:30 PM LUNCH
12:30 – 3:30 PM – Highlights/videos; Wrap up, questions, discussion, case study

Instructors
This course is taught by several high-quality faculty members:

• Lori Redner
• Anne Schefke

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