Program Overview
Enrollees must have applied and been approved by Lois Harrison (Lois.Harrison@cuw.edu) prior to enrolling.
- CEH 0039- Introduction to Animal Assisted Thearpy
This online course will introduce students to specialized knowledge needed to understand Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) and will address the core Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) competencies. Students will gain ethological knowledge about dogs, animal psychology, and methods of animal training. Students will explore the social and culture factors relevant to AAT and implications of human-animal interactions while they discuss how to maximize the potential for safe interactions between clients and animals in the world that we serve.
- CEH 0056 -Standards of AAT Practice
This online course will introduce students to the essential components to administer a safe, effective and ethical AAT program. Students will gain knowledge in animal advocacy, risk management, liability and legislative considerations; learn how to plan and maintain safe animal/human interactions; become knowledgeable about how to ensure and promote animal welfare and health; learn how to ensure human welfare; and become aware of animal characteristics to consider to determine animal suitability for AAT practice. Students will also explore the ethical considerations of AAT, and the impact of AAT on treatment. Prerequisites: Successful completion of all previous AAT certificate coursework.
- CEH 0094 - Applied Practice
This blended course will require some online prep prior to a face-to-face experiential learning weekend with the entire cohort on the Concordia University campus in Mequon, WI. During that weekend, participants will actively plan and carry out AAT interventions using simulated cases appropriate for their discipline, while applying principles for safe, effective and ethical AAT practice from previous coursework. These simulated sessions will include registered/certified therapy dog teams from the Milwaukee area, coordinated by the course instructor. This will provide participants with the opportunity to also learn how to effectively provide direction to the handler of a therapy dog, contributing to their competency in AAT practice. Over the course of the weekend, participants will receive instructor and peer feedback/input to further develop competency.
- CEH 0123 - Capstone
This final online capstone course includes the development of a full proposal for an AAT program that is of interest to the participant. Structured units within the course will provide a step by step approach to incorporating relevant content into this type of proposal, which will then be appropriate for submission to the participant’s place of employment to consider for implementation.