Animal-Assisted Therapy Overview and Experiential Examples

Description

Behind every transformative therapeutic moment with an animal is a well-informed clinician who understands the science, ethics, and emotional depth of the human-animal bond. Without this foundation, even the most well-meaning animal-assisted interactions can lead to unintended harm—for both client and co-therapist.

If you’re a clinician drawn to the healing potential of animals, but unsure how to begin or how to practice responsibly, this self-paced course offers a clear, ethical, and evidence-informed path forward.

Dr. Christina Strayer brings decades of clinical and instructional experience to this dynamic course. As a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Supervisor, Animal Assisted Therapist-Interventionist, and Pet Partner Team Evaluator, Dr. Strayer blends clinical theory with hands-on animal-assisted therapy experience across a wide range of settings. Her approach integrates holistic healing with evidence-based practices and deep respect for animals as co-therapists.

With a client-centered and experiential approach, Dr. Strayer guides learners through a blend of foundational knowledge, real-life examples, video demonstrations, and reflective exercises designed to deepen understanding and inspire practical application. Her instruction emphasizes ethical practice, animal welfare, and integrating AAT interventions across treatment goals and settings.

This self-study course explores the history and ethical foundations of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT), the Biophilia Hypothesis, and the human-animal bond. Learners will differentiate between AAA, AAI, and AAT, understand the competencies needed for safe practice, examine therapeutic models like the Triangle and Diamond, and study species-specific behavioral signals. Through experiential examples—ranging from horses and goats to domestic animals—participants will discover how to match interventions with treatment goals and theoretical orientation.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand why AAT works: Gain insight into the Biophilia Hypothesis and how it supports the therapeutic role of animals.

• Apply AAT ethically and safely: Learn to recognize risks, establish safe practices, and uphold ethical standards for both clients and animals.

• Integrate AAT into clinical practice: Explore how to match AAT methods with professional competencies and diverse client needs.

Why this course?

• Expert-led instruction: Learn from a nationally recognized AAT instructor with a deep background in behavioral health and human-animal interaction.

• Rich experiential content: Course includes practical case studies, species-specific behavioral insights, and video-based exercises for deeper learning.

• Ethics and standards focused: Clear guidance on how to integrate AAT within your scope of practice, aligned with professional guidelines.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the Biophilia Hypothesis and its connection to the Human-Animal Bond

• Describe the Psychosocial, Emotional, and Physiological Benefits of AAT

• Identify the dangers and risks associated with practicing AAT

• Describe the competencies necessary to ethically and effectively practice AAT

Whether you're just beginning your journey with animal-assisted interventions or looking to deepen your practice, this training offers a comprehensive, thoughtful, and ethical introduction. Let this be your first confident step into the field of Animal-Assisted Therapy.

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Format and Access

This is a non-interactive, self-study course. It consists of 360+ minutes of video instruction, reading assignments and written responses, a post-test and an evaluation.

*This course is Course 8 (of 8) of the AAT-I Credential Program and can be taken individually, or as a part of the full program.

Please note: Textbooks are required to complete the full AAT-I program. However, this course does NOT require textbooks; all reading material for this course is included with course enrollment. (See "Requirements" tab for specifics.)

Course Details

Requirements:

This course provides a syllabus listing its specific requirements.

1. Video Instruction
2. Reading Assignments required for this course are included with enrollment.  No additional textbook purchase is required for this course.
3. Written Assignments demonstrate an understanding of the material. This includes responses to prompts given in an online forum and submitting reflections and research papers that vary in length in length from one paragraph to up to 4 pages.
4. A post-test is given to demonstrate understanding of the material. An 80% is required to pass and you can retake it if necessary.
5. An evaluation is required once all previous steps have been completed.  (Psychologists seeking APA hours are requested, not required, to complete the evaluation.)

Availability: 

From the time of registration, you have twelve 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: 

Course access and completion instructions.

Instructor and Disclosures

Instructor

About Dr. Christina Strayer, Ed.D, LCMHCS, AAT-I, THTC, CYT-200, NLC-P

Dr. Christina Strayer 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. 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. She has served as an adjunct professor at Campbell University in the Counselor Education department. She has traveled and conducted AAT seminars for PESI, a national continuing education organization, and conducts Seminars/Workshops/Groups locally on a variety of Mental Health/Wellness topics. She primarily works in the areas of PTSD, Panic Disorder, Crisis Intervention, Compassion Fatigue, Stress, Trauma, Grief and Loss, Anxiety, Addictions, Depression, Goal setting, Consultation, Self-Esteem, Conflict Resolution, Social Skills, Team Building, and Life Balance/Transitions.

Christina graduated from the Doctoral program in Counselor Education and Supervision through Argosy University in Sarasota, FL. She obtained both a Master of Science in Counseling and Human Development with a concentration in K-12 School Counseling and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Radford University in Radford, Virginia. She completed her Doctoral dissertation in AAT with Dooli, a rescue English Bulldog/Boxer mix, who was a dear family member and a beloved therapy dog to many over the years.

Disclosure Statement: 

The instructor for this course receive compensation for their services. There are no reported conflicts of interest to disclose.

CE Hours

Credit Hours:

This course consists of 6 continuing education hours of credit.

The AAT-I credential program is designed to provide a high level of competency, therefore, the courses requires multiple assignments in addition to the video lectures and required reading. No additional CE hours are provided for the time spent on the writing assignments.

Counselors:

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No, 6693.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.  Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Mental Health Counselors. #MHC-0048.

Marriage and Family Therapists: 

Many MFT licensing boards accept our courses or one of the approvals which we have from professional associations.  You can check with your board to determine if your licensing board would accept this course.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0135, effective May 8, 2025.

Social Workers:

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, #1609, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 05/02/2024 – 05/02/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 6 clinical continuing education credits.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Social Workers #SW-0435.

Addiction Professionals:

This course has been approved by Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits, effective 7/31/2024. NAADAC Provider #193104, Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is responsible for all aspects of the programing.

Psychologists:

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychologists #PSY-0128.

Art Therapists: 

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Creative Arts Therapists #CAT-0093.

Other Professionals:

This course qualifies for 360 minutes of instructional content as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations.  Retain your certificate of completion and contact your board or organization for specific filing requirements.

This is a non-interactive, self-study course.

How to obtain the AAT-I Credential

Hold an approved license or certification. Click here to view the full list of approved clinician types.

In order to earn the Animal Assisted Therapy Interventionist (AAT-I) Credential, you are required to complete the full program. Details and enrollment options can be found here.

The AAT-I program consists of eight online, self-paced courses that are a mix of didactic presentations, videos, articles, textbooks, and written assignments. The courses are:

1. The History of AAT and AAT Principles

2. AAT Competencies and Multicultural Considerations

3. Animals as Co-Therapists: Selection, Behavioral, and Training Considerations

4. Introduction to Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy

5. Animals as Co-Therapists: Blending Animal Interventions with a Range of Professional Theories

6. Animals as Co-Therapists: Exploring Animal-Assisted Interventions Across Professions, Settings, and Populations

7. Developing Treatment Plans and Tracking Outcomes

8. Animal-Assisted Therapy Overview and Experiential Examples

Upon completion of all 8 online courses, individuals will earn the AAT-I and can begin using the credential AAT-I.

An optional opportunity to expand your training and attend a 2-day live intensive (in North Carolina) with experiential exercises is also available. Please review the website and/or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details on this event.

Accommodations and Policies

Close Captioning is available for live webinars and recorded video presentations.

You can click on the following links to view our policies:

• Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities.
• Cancellation Policy
• Grievance Policy
• Support Options
• Disclosure Statement