Animal Assisted Therapy: The Role of Therapy Dogs in Practice

4825 Mount Hope Road,East Lansing MI 48823

17 November, 2022

Description

This course will focus on animal assisted therapy, specifically the role of therapy dogs when working in practice with children and adolescents. Depending on the strategies used, animal assisted therapy can contribute to reducing client anxiety or attendance refusal, can support social skill development and build the therapist-client connection. In this course we will explore animal behaviour and communication and how it pertains to the therapeutic process, develop safety protocols for professional practice ensuring the safety of both the client and the animal assistant, while honoring the human-animal bond, the attachment needs of the child/adolescent, and endorsing the As a result of this course, you will be able to: 1. Explore the therapeutic work of Animal-Assisted Therapy, specifally the role of therapy dogs in practice; 2. Explore the role of attachment when working with children and adolescents; 3. Examine safety considerations and protocols when working with animals and humans; 4. Engage in case studies to illustrate practical sessions using therapy dogs in animal assisted therapy; 5. Develop an understanding of animal behaviour and communication and how it pertains to the therapeutic process; 6. Develop appropriate safety protocols for professional practice Instructor: Dr. Christine Grove is an Educational & Developmental Psychologist & Fulbright Scholar from Melbourne, Australia. She collaborates with health care professionals, educators, and young people on matters related to health literacy, mental health, well-being, with specific knowledge of inclusion, development, and education across the lifespan.