Introduction to Animal-Assisted Therapy
Enroll in the Online Self-Study course and complete it at your own pace.
1 CE hour available for behavioral health clinicians upon completion.
What if your most effective co-therapist isn’t human? The growing body of research on the human-animal bond suggests that incorporating animals into therapy sessions can significantly reduce anxiety, improve emotional connection, and foster deeper client breakthroughs—when done ethically and intentionally.
As interest in Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) continues to rise, many clinicians are left wondering how to integrate animals into treatment responsibly and effectively. This course offers a thoughtful, evidence-based introduction to AAT and provides the foundation needed to explore this specialty with confidence and care.
Enroll in the 1 CE Online Self-Study for Free
No payment required
Dr. Christina Strayer, Ed.D., LCMHCS, AAT-I, THTC, is a seasoned clinician, educator, and nationally recognized expert in Animal-Assisted Therapy. With decades of experience in clinical mental health, integrative healing, and AAT program development, Dr. Strayer brings a wealth of knowledge and heartfelt guidance to those curious about incorporating animals into their clinical work.
In this course, Dr. Strayer combines research, real-world examples, and professional standards to help clinicians understand the power of AAT and the competencies required to practice it ethically. Her approach is experiential, holistic, and grounded in evidence-informed strategies that prioritize both client and animal well-being.
Topics include the definition and science behind the human-animal bond, an overview of AAT and its clinical applications, ethical considerations, the therapeutic triad (client, therapist, animal), examples of structured and unstructured interventions, and the importance of professional training in AAT. Participants will also view a live demonstration of AAT in action on a therapeutic farm.
Instructor
Dr. Christina Strayer, Ed.D, LCMHCS, AAT-I, THTC, CYT-200, NLC-P, is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Supervisor, Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist-Associate, Pet Partner Team Evaluator, Animal Assisted Therapist-Interventionist and Life Coach with her coaching practice Energy Coaching with Horses and Others (E.C.H.O.) in North Carolina. Her private practice is Animal Assisted Therapy of the Triangle. She is trained in a variety of Integrative Therapies including Art, Yoga and Mindfulness. Her theoretical approach is Client-centered and Holistic. Along with her mini goats, avian, equine, canine and crustacean helpers, Christina combines her study of the power of the Human and Animal Bond in healing with proven counseling theories and techniques to guide clients in reaching their goals.
She has a diverse background in counseling and teaching. She is the Lead Instructor for the Animal Assisted Therapy Interventionist (AAT-I) certification course.
Key Takeaways:
Clarify core concepts: Learn how to distinguish Animal-Assisted Therapy from other animal-related practices and define its core components.
Understand ethical practice: Explore the training, supervision, and competencies required to ethically integrate animals into clinical sessions.
Apply AAT interventions: Discover how to align specific therapeutic goals with appropriate AAT activities and settings.
Why this course?
Expert-led instruction: Taught by a nationally respected AAT Interventionist and clinician with hands-on experience and academic credentials.
Research-based content: Draws on current evidence and ACA-recognized competencies to support ethical and effective practice.
Professional development pathway: Acts as a gateway into the full AAT-I credential program, offering flexible options for further certification.
Learning Objectives:
Define the Human-Animal Bond, Animal-Assisted Therapy and related professional competencies
Describe key components of animal-assisted interventions across settings and their purpose in client sessions
Explain the importance of obtaining appropriate training and supervised experience to practice AAT ethically
Whether you’re looking to explore AAT for the first time or need a trusted foundation before pursuing certification, this course offers an inspiring and practical start. As you seek to expand your therapeutic toolkit in meaningful, evidence-informed ways, this is an invitation to discover how the healing presence of animals can transform your clinical practice.
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This is a non-interactive self-study course. Instruction consists of 60+ minutes of video instruction and a post-test.
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Availability: From the time of registration, you have six months to access the coursework.
Who Should Attend: This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.
Teaching Methods: This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.
How to attend: Directions for completing a course can be found by clicking here.
This program was updated on August 15, 2023.
Testimonials
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