Introduction to Animal-Assisted Therapy

Description

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.

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.

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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Format and Access

This is a non-interactive self-study course. Instruction consists of 60+ minutes of video instruction and a post-test.

Course Details

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: 

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 1 continuing education hour of credit.

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 1 clinical continuing education credit.

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 60 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. 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.

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