The AAT-I Interventionist Program consists of a series of seven online, self-paced courses and an in-person 3-day experiential intensive (virtual/remote options for the intensive are under development) which, provides professionals with in-depth theoretical knowledge regarding the practice of animal-assisted therapy across a variety of settings with various populations.  This combination of the online courses and the experiential learning course allows professionals to apply and practice their knowledge gained through the online courses in a live setting with a variety of therapy animals, receiving feedback and processing the experience to gain their AAT-I credential.  The experiential intensive is held in a variety of farm and nature settings to help professionals understand the breadth and depth of location options to practice AAT.  

The AAT-I program is designed for licensed/certified professionals to learn how to utilize Animal-Assisted Interventions ethically and intentionally per the American Counseling Association’s AAT-C Competency Requirements. This program is developed by an instructor with a Doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision, as well as a practicing Animal-Assisted Therapist with almost two decades of experience. The program content has been reviewed by an advisory board of relevant professionals (e.g. LPC’s, LCSW’s) to ensure quality and relevance to a breadth of professionals seeking AAT certification and/or CEU’s. Your instructors believe in the evidence-based healing power of the human-animal bond. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA, 2018), “The human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and animals that is influenced by behaviors that are essential to the health and well-being of both. This includes, but is not limited to, emotional, psychological, and physical interactions of people, animals, and the environment.” This program teaches you how to be co-therapists in a triadic relationship with animals in a variety of settings to accelerate growth and transformation via the mind, body, spirit connection.

Profession Types Qualified for the Animal Assisted Therapy Interventionist Include:

• Licensed Professional Counselors
• Licensed Clinical Social Workers
• Licensed Clinical Psychologists
• Psychiatrists
• Speech-Language Pathologists
• Rehabilitation Therapists
• Physical Therapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Recreational Therapists
• Nurses
• Doctors
• Directors of Nursing Home facilities
• Educators
• Higher Education Professionals
• Justice Department Professionals (Juvenile, Prison Programs)
• Veterinarians
• Vet Techs