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
- Demonstrate skill and expertise regarding the clinical applications of human-animal interactions.
- 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.
- Learn to create and implement high-quality animal-assisted programs.
Format and Technical Requirements
The Animals and Human Health Certificate program requires completion of all courses listed below. Students progress through three online courses with a group of peers, forming cohorts, and meet face-to-face in Denver at the Capstone session. Courses are offered online except the on-campus Capstone Session. Courses utilize a variety of learning methods, including readings, written assignments, interviews, videos, and discussion forums. Students may complete all coursework at their convenience, within specified due dates. Instructors offer individualized weekly feedback to each student and participate in online discussion forums.
A computer with high-speed Internet access and word-processing software (Microsoft Word) is required, along with strong computer skills, experience, and comfort. Specific web browser and operating system requirements can be found here.
Enrollment and Cost
Total Certificate Program Cost: $3000.00
Enrollment is capped at 15 students per cohort and a thorough application is necessary to be considered for the program. There is a one-time, non-refundable application fee of $20. Due to the high volume of applications submitted and the format of the program, applicants are placed on an active waitlist in the order in which they are submitted. Individuals will be notified once they are accepted into the certificate program and eligible for enrollment into a cohort.
Once invited to enroll into a cohort, students will receive detailed registration and payment information via e-mail. Registration constitutes an agreement to pay the full, non-refundable program fee of $3000. All courses must be completed within the same cohort to earn the certificate. Payment can be made in full or in installments which are due before each course begins ($1200 before the Core course, $900 before the Applications course, $900 before the Animal Partners course, and $0 before the Capstone session). Payments are made online by credit/debit card. Special arrangements can be made for third-party payers."
Certificate Admission Requirement
Bachelor's degree from an accredited 4-year college or university, or equivalent experience in this field.
For access to application and registration information, click here.
AHHC Calendar
AHHC 2012 – Cohort 3
Core: 8/18/12 – 10/13/12
Applications: 10/27/12 – 12/15/12
Animals: 1/5/13 – 2/16/13
Capstone: 3/14/13 – 3/15/13
AHHC 2013 - Cohort 1
Core: 1/5/13 - 3/2/13
Applications: 4/6/13 - 5/18/13
Animals: 6/1/13 - 7/13/13
Capstone: 8/15/13 - 8/16/13
AHHC 2013 - Cohort 2
Core: 3/30/13 - 5/25/13
Applications: 6/8/13 - 7/27/13
Animals: 8/10/13 - 9/28/13
Capstone: 10/24/13 - 10/25/13
Course Descriptions
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.
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.
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.
AHHC 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).
Course Faculty
Erica Elvove, MSW
Ann Howie, MSW, LICSW
Jen Pearson, MSW, LMSW
Sheryl Pipe, PhD
Philip Tedeschi, MSSW, LCSW
Susan Teumer, MA
Please contact us at: ahhinfo@du.edu, or call 303-871-2719, for further information.
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