About this course
This course equips healthcare professionals, caregivers, educators, and interested individuals with a comprehensive understanding of animal-assisted therapy (AAT), animal-assisted activities (AAA), service animals, emotional support animals (ESAs), and the therapeutic benefits and risks of pet ownership. Learners will explore intervention types, legal protections, best practices for implementation, and strategies for safe, ethical, and effective use of animals in support and healing.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Define and distinguish AAT, AAA, service animals, ESAs, and pet ownership
- Describe the stages and processes of animal-assisted therapy and equine therapy
- Identify physical, emotional, and social benefits of animal-assisted interventions
- Summarize legal rights and protections for service and emotional support animals
- Explain practical benefits and risks of pet ownership for various populations
- Outline best practices for selecting, training, and certifying therapy animals
- Recognize limitations and contraindications of animal-assisted interventions