Comprehensive animal assisted therapy interventionist credential program (AAT-I) online learning to prepare licensed professionals to practice animal-assisted therapy.
AAT-I Credential Program
If you are already certified in animal assisted therapy and looking for continuing education credits, our partners have a variety of courses to deepen your knowledge which includes completing a single course within the animal assisted therapist interventionist credential program (AAT-I).
AAT-I Continuing Education
If you are a Masters or Doctoral level student looking for a clinical experience placement to learn more about animal-assisted therapy, we have created a customized internship program to facilitate your learning.
Graduate Internship
Animal Assisted Therapy Interventionist (AAT-I) Credential Program
A comprehensive educational opportunity for a wide variety of licensed professionals
The Animal Assisted Therapy Interventionist (AAT-I) International Program is a series of eight courses that are necessary to earn this comprehensive credential.
The AAT-I Program’s online courses are a series of 8 self-paced, online courses designed for a variety of licensed/certified professionals to learn how to utilize Animal-Assisted Interventions ethically and intentionally per the American Counseling Association’s AAT-C Competency requirements. The instructor believes 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.” The online sequence of courses 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.
The AAT-I Program’s Experiential Intensive is the final course in the AAT-I program which allows licensed/certified professionals to apply and practice the knowledge gained through the online course setting. The end result is that AAT-I credentialed professionals are able to effectively partner with their therapy animal to provide a holistic, non-threatening, unconditional accepting environment for clients/patients in a professional manner.
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Professionals earn CE hours in the AAT-I Program. Visit the Telehealth Certification Institute for more info.
Who should take the AAT-I program?
It is not just for licensed professional counselors. The AAT-I program is also appropriate for Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Speech-Language Pathologists, Rehabilitation Therapists, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Recreational Therapists who wish to add animal assisted interventions to their scope of practice. Continuous professional development is the cornerstone of being a competent professional. Since animal-assisted therapy is a specialty area of practice within the profession of coaching and counseling, it is imperative that individuals receive additional education as well as hands-on experience to practice effectively, our partners offer a variety of educational programs to meet the needs of individuals interested in incorporating animal-assisted therapy into their practice.
Not sure about the program or want to learn more?
Here are the current ACA Animal Assisted Therapy Competencies.