Introduction to Animal Assisted Interventions and Activities

Animals can play a very important role assisting people with disabilities, trauma, stress, anxiety and as part of therapeutic activities for those with various illnesses. Many people are aware of the role of service animals which increase independence for those with certain disabilities, but other types of human-animal partnerships may be less familiar. This course will help you learn about animal assisted interventions and activities and will help you answer these questions: what is a therapy animal and how does a therapy animal differ from emotional support animals and service animals? How healing animal encounters benefit a person, and what risks may be involved?  What types of animals are eligible to be evaluated as therapy animals? What does current research say about therapy animals and where can I find more information?