Therapy Dogs and Visiting Pets
Therapy Dogs, Animal Assisted Therapy and Animal Assisted Activities Coursework and Education Resources This page covers web sites providing information on educating the human half of the team for visiting pets, therapy pets and similar activities.
Most academic or scientific level information (studies, surveys etc.) are available in book form, or from bound journals available at university and college libraries. An extensive bibliography (with links to book you can buy) is available at http://www.dogplay.com/Resources/books.html#therapy . Expect to either have to pay for the materials or find them in a University library.
Please use the links provided and read the web sites listed before writing to any with questions.
Also of interest
(1) Resources Links - Web sites providing information on how to train for visits, how to start your own group, or academic studies.
(2) Coursework and Education Links - Organizations providing formal training, academic credit, seminars and similar advanced training for the human half of the team.
(3) Stories and Article Links - Stories about pets on visits and press articles about human-animal bond programs including pet visiting program, animal assisted therapy, animal assisted activities, dogs in rehabilitation programs.
(4) Volunteer Organizations Links - Web sites maintained by organizations that are active in pet visitation programs.
(5) Networking Links .- Discussion groups, email lists, bulletin boards and similar resources for contacting individuals involved in therapy dog and similar programs.
(6) Related information
Service Dog Links . Service dog information and resources. Therapy dogs are not service dogs. A service animal is assigned to provide assistance or support to a specific individual.
Special Program Links Information on organizations training dogs for rehabilitation therapy for prisoners, teens in trouble and related kinds of programs.
The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals presents courses designed for professionals working in health care, mental health, corrections, education, animal welfare or related disciplines and that wish to enhance their practice with the use of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT).
A wide variety of professional level courses. The course work is in German.
Presented by PAN Inc. (People, Animals, Nature, Inc.) In cooperation with DePaul University, School for New Learning, Chicago. When last visited this web site did not provide full access. I was completely unable to access this site due to the way Flash was implemented.
(Palatine, IL) A trio of personal enrichment courses designed to introduce and prepare dogs for animal assisted activities and animal assisted therapy.
An interdisciplinary approach investigating the many practical and moral issues arising from the interactions of animals and society.
Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine (West Lafayette, Indiana)
"The EPI Manual" Chapter XI* reviews the use of animals as therapy in health facilities. It references national associations guidelines for pet facilitated therapy. It also reviews the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 as it relates to service animals. http://www.idph.state.ia.us/eedo/cade_content/EPIManual/Chp11.pdf (Iowa) In addition to discussing the benefits of AAA and AAT this chapter discusses potential problem areas including communicable disease. Also discusses service animals.
An introductory course for health care providers who believe in, or want a more complete understanding of, the therapeutic effects of the human-animal connection (Ann Arbor, MI)
Based in Dobbs Ferry, New York, this program offers an Animal Assisted Therapy Facilitation Certificate Program.
Delaware Valley College: Certificate in Animal Assisted Activities and Therapy (Doylestown, PA)
Bryn Mawr, PA
Presented entirely on-line by Harcum College, this 30-hour, 10-week Introduction to AAT/AAA provides a Certificate of Completion and qualifies for Continuing Education Units.
(Rhode Island)
An extended training program in AAT.
A weekend training program in AAT.
This organization, based in Sanford, Michigan offers courses and materials for everything from implementing and coordinating visiting animal programs to training and screening the participants. Workshops and seminars enhance the skills of registered teams. Included in the offerings are courses established under the guidelines of the Delta Society. When last visited this web site did not provide full access.
This Marquette, Michigan organization offers a variety of services to educate and train individuals, volunteers, professionals and organizations in a wide variety of aspects of setting up and maintaining a pet therapy program.
This organization is based in Rohnert Park, California.When last visited this web site did not provide full access.
Provides gettting stated information and professional, academic level resources.
Trained Master4-H PetPALS volunteers teach youth the skills needed to interact with residents in healthcare facilities.
This group based in the Kirkland, Washington area provides consultation and training to assist facilities in developing an Animal Therapy program. When last visited this web site did not provide full access.
This is not a certification program but a preparation program
Paws for Praise is a positive dog training facility that offers a Canine Good Citizen/Therapy Dog preparation class. The class is a six week course and covers basic skills for dog and handler, infection control, zoonoses, facility etiquette and related topics. Candidates are tested for the CGC and for registration with Therapy Dogs, Inc. as part of the course.
This site offers an article on placing resident dogs in nursing homes and various visiting pet issues.
This organization based in Whitehouse, Texas, promotes animals assisted therapy through education and training of health care professionals, evaluation and training of animals and human volunteers, and support in establishing programs across the country. This site offers a variety of publications, seminars, and professionally developed videos.
Provides online courses and certification in animal assisted therapy and activities.
Based in Citronella, Alabama this site offers a variety of articles related to visiting pets and animal assisted therapy.
(In Italian) 
AIUCA has been involved in Animal Assisted Programmes since 1995 and in training courses since 1998 AIUCA is Italian Representative and European Ambassador for Delta Society, offers the Pet Partners training, evluation and registration and also specialisation courses for handlers and human health professionals.
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Copyright © 1999-2003,
Diane Blackman
Created: February 12, 1999
Updated November 12, 2007