The History of AAT and AAT Principles

Description

Discover how the human-animal bond has shaped healing practices for centuries—and how today’s clinicians can ethically and effectively integrate Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) into their work. This course explores the foundational history, guiding principles, and key theories of AAT to help you build a meaningful, evidence-informed practice grounded in empathy and connection.

Animal-Assisted Therapy holds immense potential for clinicians seeking alternative ways to foster trust, rapport, and emotional safety in treatment—especially for clients who may struggle with traditional therapeutic models. This course invites you to explore the rich history and proven potential of AAT as a clinically sound, ethically guided intervention.

Dr. Christina Strayer, Ed.D, LCMHCS, AAT-I, THTC, CYT-200, is a nationally recognized expert in Animal-Assisted Therapy and the lead instructor of the AAT Interventionist Certification program. With decades of experience integrating animal companions into therapeutic practice, Dr. Strayer brings both academic expertise and real-world insight into how and why AAT works.

Her teaching is holistic, experiential, and grounded in evidence-based theory. By combining biophilic principles, counseling research, and clinical applications, she equips clinicians with a framework to understand AAT’s role in healing and how it can enhance client outcomes when applied with care and competence.

Topics covered include the historical roots of AAT, ethical considerations, definitions and distinctions between AAA, AAI, and AAT, the Biophilia hypothesis, and the essential characteristics of the Human-Animal Bond. The course also highlights major AAT contributors and key studies supporting AAT’s therapeutic benefits.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the Human-Animal Bond: Learn how emotional, physical, and psychological interactions with animals can support therapeutic goals.

• Clarify the Scope of AAT Practice: Gain a clear understanding of the differences between AAA, AAI, and AAT—and how to apply each ethically and effectively.

• Apply Foundational Theories: Discover the Biophilia hypothesis and how it supports the integration of animals into evidence-informed behavioral health practice.

Why This Course?

• Foundation for Clinical Integration: A perfect starting point for clinicians exploring AAT or pursuing certification in the Animal Assisted Therapy Interventionist program.

• Expert-Led and Research-Based: Learn from one of the nation’s leading AAT instructors with a strong foundation in evidence-based practices and real-world application.

• Mission-Aligned with Client Care: Offered by the Telehealth Certification Institute, this course is built on the values of ethical care, innovation, and professional growth in behavioral health.

Learning Objectives:

• Define the Human-Animal Bond, its importance in AATC and its effect in human interaction

• Explain the rationale for Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI), Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) and Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT)

• Describe the theoretical framework/Biophilia hypothesis for Animal Assisted Therapy

Whether you're curious about how AAT can transform your clinical relationships or preparing to pursue AAT certification, this course offers an inspiring and informative first step. Allow yourself to explore the healing power of the human-animal connection through the lens of evidence, ethics, and clinical excellence.

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Format and Access

This is a non-interactive, self-study course. It consists of 60+ minutes of video instruction, reading assignments and written responses, a post test and an evaluation.

Course Details

Requirements:

This course provides a syllabus listing its specific requirements.

1. Video Instruction
2. Reading Assignments

Textbooks are required to complete AAT-I learning content. This reading material is NOT included with course enrollment and must be purchased separately from retail booksellers, such as www.amazon.com (search title and/or author of the book).

• Fine, A.H. (2019). Animal Assisted Therapy: Theoretical Foundations and Guidelines for Practice-Fourth Edition. London, UK.
• Levinson, B.M. and Mallon, G.P. (1997). Pet-Oriented Child Psychotherapy. Charles C Thomas Publishing, Springfield, IL.
• Parish-Plass, N. (2013).  Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy Theory, Issues and Practice.  Purdue University.

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. Reflections and papers require grading by the instructor.
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 2 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 2 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. NAADAC Provider #193104, Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is responsible for all aspects of the programming.

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 120 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