Online (with one on-campus component) - 35 CEUs
Animals play a critical role in helping people live healthy lives. Animal-assisted therapy, activities and learning demonstrate how the human-animal bond can bring about deep and lasting social, emotional, cognitive, physical, spiritual and psychological changes.
Animal-assisted therapy, activities and learning are found in many settings. For example:
- A man recovering from a stroke regains the use of his arm through playing "fetch" with a specially screened and trained dog as part of his physical therapy;
- An at-risk teen refuses traditional therapy, but begins to explore personal issues through an equine-facilitated mental health program;
- A child who is a victim of sexual abuse learns to trust and connect with people by first learning to trust and connect with an animal.
The applications of animal-assisted therapy, activities and learning require that those delivering the interventions are knowledgeable, trained and have the expertise necessary to attend to the needs of both the people and the animals involved.
Learning Objectives
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Demonstrate skill and expertise regarding the clinical applications of human-animal interactions.
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Understand how the effects of these methods can be demonstrated across age, race, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status and life condition, and how animal-assisted interventions can be utilized by a wide variety of professionals.
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Learn to create and implement high-quality animal-assisted programs.
Format and Dates
The certificate requires completion of all courses listed below. Courses are offered online except the on-campus Capstone Session. A computer with high-speed Internet access and word-processing software is required, along with strong computer skills, experience and comfort.
Core Course - Introduction
This course offers an in-depth introduction to animal-assisted therapy, activities and learning including history, theory and research, ethics, professions and applications utilizing animal-assisted interventions, overview of animal information and issues, evaluation and administration.
Fall 09 Cohort: 9/26/09 - 11/21/09
Spring 10 Cohort: Dates to be determined.
Applications of Animal-Assisted Interventions
This course covers the populations (individuals and groups of all ages) with whom animal-assisted interventions are often employed, as well as typical educational, mental health, behavioral, medical and health care settings. Students will have the opportunity to tailor certain assignments to their specific interest areas. The course also covers effective management and administration of animal-assisted programs.
Fall 09 Cohort: 1/9/10 - 2/20/10
Spring 10 Cohort: Dates to be determined.
Animal Partners in Animal-Assisted Interventions
This course covers the many species that can participate in animal-assisted interventions, as well as issues that must be addressed so that client outcomes are achieved at the same time animal welfare is protected. Topics include selection, training, screening, care, protection, ongoing monitoring and overall well-being of animals, as well as effective program management and administration related to the inclusion of animals. Certain assignments may be tailored to students' individual interests.
Fall 09 Cohort: 3/6/10 - 4/17/10
Spring 10 Cohort: Dates to be determined.
AHH Capstone Session
Students and faculty gather at the University of Denver campus to deliver and discuss capstone presentations integrating all certificate coursework and activities and applying them to students' individual interests. The session also includes dialogue with experts in the field of human-animal interactions, group experiential work, and demonstration and analysis of animal-assisted interventions. Students will benefit from extensive interaction with practitioners from a wide variety of professions and locations. (Travel and lodging expenses are the responsibility of the student).
Fall 09 Cohort: 5/7/10 - 5/9/10
Spring 10 Cohort: Dates to be determined.
Certificate Admission Requirement
Bachelor's degree from an accredited 4-year college or university, or equivalent experience in this field.
Faculty
Erica Elvove, MSW
Ann Howie, MSW, LICSW
Jen Pearson, MSW, LMSW
Philip Tedeschi, MSSW, LCSW
Susan Teumer, MA
Kate Trujillo, MSW
Cost: $1,995
To register for this program, contact Stephanie Panion at spanion@du.edu or 303-871-3464.
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