CEU Institute Session: Paws in Practice: Animal-Assisted Interventions

Description:

This session will begin with the ethics of human-animal interactions and the principles of mutually beneficial relationships. Participants will review and explore the body language of canines and other common therapy animals, and how humans should respond to these communications. Learn about the Triangle and Diamond models of animal-assisted interactions and the roles of each of the participants. Explore the therapist’s role of assessment of client and environment, and how the treatment goal setting will inform the selection of the most appropriate therapy animal. The session will conclude with recommendations for handler feedback and documentation.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to name the three core principles of a mutually beneficial human-animal relationship.

2. Participants will be able to name at least 5 canine stress signals and how to support the animal.

3. Participants will be able to describe the difference between the triangle and diamond models of animal-assisted interactions.

4. Participants will be able to explain how different client goals would require therapy-animal teams and how to explain that to handlers.

Presenter Bio:

Deborah Carr, MEd, has worked in animal-assisted interventions since 1997 and is a Pet Partner Instructor, Evaluator, Evaluator Instructor, and National Program Educator for Pet Partners—the leading national organization for animal-assisted interventions. Prior to her nine-year tenure as executive director of Utah Pet Partners, she spent over 30 years teaching students with disabilities and developing programs in animal-assisted interventions. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing and master’s degree in early childhood education from the University of Utah, later adding a certificate in Animals and Human Health from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work.