All you need to know about getting started as a highly skilled Animal Assisted Therapist in Australia

This course is perfect for: 

Social Workers, Counsellors, Psychologists, Therapists, Teachers and Educators, who want to understand how to implement ethical and effective Animal Assisted Therapy for meaningful client outcomes.

Created and facilitated by Anita Geary – experienced Animal Assisted Therapist and Committee Member of Animal Therapies Limited 

Get Instant Access to all 31 Comprehensive Lessons 

 $299 AUD

Canine Assisted Therapy in Practice is Psychotherapy And Counselling Federation of Australia and Australian Counselling Association endorsed training, recognised by PACFA for 5.5 hours category B Professional Development and by the ACA for 10 OPD points.

Does this sound familiar?

You’re passionate about including animals in your therapy practice or education setting, but don’t know where to start.

You’re feeling overwhelmed by choice and don’t know which Animal Assisted Therapy course or study option is right for you. 

You have completed your certification but feel unsure how to actually ‘do’ AAT.

You would love to deliver Animal Assisted Therapy, but don’t know whether you or your animal are cut out for the role.

You’re in the right place.

I used to feel that way too…

I knew how powerful Animal Assisted Therapy could be, yet I was overwhelmed by the number of courses on offer, and the high costs involved in achieving AAT certification.

 Luckily AAT was an excellent fit, and we now run Albury Wodonga’s first and only Canine Assisted Therapy Practice.

Yet, AAT certification was just the first step

What I noticed was that although I was certified, I wasn’t sure exactly how to deliver AAT, and it took me years to learn the skills I needed. 

Which is why I created this course…

To empower people like you and me to learn the fundamental skills, considerations and applications of AAT with clients – without breaking the bank and without spending years of your life trying to work out how to deliver AAT.

“AAT goes far beyond merely having a dog present during therapy sessions. It encompasses a thoughtful and purposeful application of therapeutic techniques that enable individuals to experience the profound healing potential of the human-animal connection.  

Skillfully trained AAT practitioners are able to create a nurturing environment where the profound connection between humans and animals can activate emotional growth, trust-building, and improved well-being. 

 When we can fully embrace the potential of AAT with compassion and intention, we unlock the power of the human-animal bond, creating a space where individuals can find solace, support, and transformative growth.” Anita Geary

That’s where “Canine Assisted Therapy in Practice” comes in

This self-paced online course will provide all the information you need to understand: 

• How AAT works
• What you need to consider before going down the certification pathway, and
• How to practically implement Animal Assisted Therapy in your work.

The course includes video content as well as additional readings and role plays, so that you can learn all you need to know before taking the leap into certification and practice. 

You will also have access to myself, Course Creator and experienced Animal Assisted Therapist, Anita Geary ( via email), to answer any questions you may have. 

Optional Add-Ons:

1. There is also the option to book a one-on-one supervision session with me, to gain further information or feedback on your AAT journey ($200 AUD)
2. Access the exclusive 40 minute recording of Anita’s presentation to the 2023 Animal Therapies Limited conference – “Healing Interpersonal Trauma through Animal Assisted Therapy” ($30)

What’s inside the course?

• Introduction to Animal Assisted work – history and definitions of practice
• Client benefits of AAT
• AAT in play therapy, solution focussed therapy and psychotherapy
• Common treatment goals supported through AAT
• Including animals in schools – Animal Assisted Education (AAE)
• Ethical obligations for AAT practitioners – animal welfare and ethical considerations; practitioner Code of Conduct; dog behaviour, body language and safety
• Training and certification options
• Suitability of fit for animals in AAT – and selecting the right animal
• AAT in Action – practical implementation of Animal Assisted Therapy in counselling and schools, including improving regulation; self esteem and confidence; safety and more.
• Role plays and practice examples are included.

Access the full curriculum here.

Why take this course?

Investing in the right Animal Assisted Therapy training is crucial to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of both clients and animals. 

 Canine Assisted Therapy in Practice brings together over a decade of experience and evidence-based learning in the field of Animal Assisted Therapy. 

 Throughout the course, you will:  

• Learn to apply ethical and effective Animal Assisted Therapy or Education in your work
• Enhance and develop your existing practice
• Pursue your passion for animals and the therapeutic benefits they bring
• Understand whether or not AAT is the right fit for you and your dog
• Grow your confidence in using your existing Animal Assisted Therapy certification with clients
• Be supported and ask the questions you’ve been longing to find answers to.

Testimonials

“I found it so useful to learn about the relationship between the handler, dog and client as well as how to incorporate strategies with the dog into practice.” 

“You can see Anita is passionate about dog assisted therapy. It was interesting listening to her knowledge and hearing about her therapy in general. Loved it.”

Get started now

All 31 lessons are available to you for only one payment of $299 AUD

At Insight Therapies, we have seen first-hand the positive impact that Animal Assisted Therapy can offer

It is commonly known that the inclusion of dogs in the therapy space plays a significant role in increasing the motivation of clients to engage in therapy. However the benefits of AAT go far beyond motivation. 

 Animal Assisted Therapy has a wide range of applications and can be used to support a variety of treatment goals, including: 

• • • Social skills development
    • Improving memory and recall
    • Addressing grief, loss and trauma
    • Improving emotional expression
    • Reducing general anxiety
    • Improving ability to trust
    • Improving school attendance
    • Building healthy attachment
    • Promoting self-understanding and self-acceptance 

 It is our passion here at Insight Therapies Counselling and Consultancy, to share the skills and knowledge we have learnt over our years of practice with other like-minded professionals, so that more children and adults can access this amazing modality.

We hope that by completing this training, you will feel more confident in your skills and decide to go on to complete your formal certification so that our community will have increasing access to the amazing benefits therapy animals bring to mental health and education settings.

COURSE DETAILS: Canine Assisted Therapy in Practice

Feedback from our clients on experiencing the benefits of AAT Animal Therapy Courses

“I know that Kaluah and Bacardi care about me and it feels really good to be remembered and know that they are there waiting for me”

 “They make you feel safe, and they really care about you”

 “Just patting them helps me open up”

 “They help make my anxiety go away for a bit so I can talk about hard stuff”

About the Team

Our Lead Therapist, Anita, combines quality therapy with her fully trained and certified therapy dogs Bacardi and Kaluah, engaging her clients through delivering a therapeutic team of self, client and therapy dog.

Anita first began the process of certification for both herself and her then 3-year-old Labrador Bacardi in 2019 after noticing a natural longing for Bacardi to offer comfort to others. Anita recognised that these innate skills demonstrated by Bacardi, when combined with her experience of working successfully with adults and children who have experienced trauma, could offer children, young people and adults a meaningful and highly valuable therapeutic experience.

Since the beginning of Insight Therapies Counselling and Consultancy in early 2020, Bacardi’s daughter Kaluah has also completed her certification and now joins the team with her gentle nature and her willingness to share her calm to promote positive emotional experiences for those who work with her.

Insight Therapies Counselling and Consultancy is the first and only canine-assisted therapy practice in the Albury Wodonga area and have been featured for their support to those in need by Prime7 news, The Border Mail and ABC Goulburn radio. Read More.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about the course? Access our full list of FAQ’S below.

IN PERSON AAT TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Date: TBC 2023
Time: 10am until 4.30pm
Location: Insight Therapies Counselling and Consultancy, Wodonga