Experts from
the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine
and specialists from
the NGO “Helping Dogs Network”
have developed
the CERTIFICATE PROGRAM:
BASICS OF ANIMAL-ASSISTED INTERVENTION
Document awarded to participants: State-recognized Certificate
Participants of this course will:
Gain knowledge of:
Key concepts, classifications, and legal aspects of Animal-Assisted Intervention (AAI) globally and in Ukraine;
Selection and training of animals working in this field, and types of interventions;
Features of working with different client groups, including principles of welfare, biology, and communication;
Methods for assessing psycho-emotional states and ensuring safety;
Planning intervention programs: goal setting, progress monitoring, and reporting;
Clients’ psycho-emotional states, methods for recognizing behavioral cues, non-verbal signals, and speech analysis;
Basics of dog care, first aid, and understanding veterinary risks;
Develop understanding of:
Basic terminology, definitions, and classifications in the field of Animal-Assisted Intervention (AAT, AAE, AAA, AAC);
The current state and trends of animal-assisted interventions in Ukraine and worldwide;
The current legal and regulatory situation in this field, both internationally and in Ukraine;
Systems for selecting, training, and testing animals for participation in interventions;
Breeding, selection, and dog breeds most commonly involved in AAI;
Principles of sustainability and ensuring welfare for humans and animals in interactions (One Health – One Welfare);
Behavioral signals, training principles, and dogs’ responses;
Types of animal-assisted interventions, specifics of each type, and their application in various contexts;
Principles of effective communication, conflict resolution, and ethical interaction with clients;
The role of animals in mental health and client resilience;
Features of working with different clients: children and adults, clients with experience of occupation, combat veterans, and families in palliative care;
Acquire skills and competencies in:
Planning and conducting interventions;
Establishing contact with clients;
Managing clients’ emotional states;
Providing first aid to dogs and taking practical actions in critical situations.
Course Program:
Introduction to Animal-Assisted Intervention (AAI): Terms and definitions. Overview of the development and current state of the field worldwide.
Types of Human-Animal Interaction and Their Features: Therapy, coaching, visitation, and assistance animals.
One Health and One Welfare: Animal self-realization. Principles of human and animal welfare in human-animal interaction.
Animals Participating in Different Types of AAI: Selection, training, and testing of animals.
Biology, Genetics, Breeding, Selection, Reproduction, and Dog Breeds. First aid for dogs.
Principles of Dog Training: Fundamentals of dog behavior and communication. Canine communicative signals.
Animal assistent therapy as a Rehabilitation Approach: Balancing humanity, science, and professionalism.
Planning and Strategy Selection: Development of individual and group programs and methods for animal-assisted interventions and human-animal interactions. Session planning. Monitoring progress and regression. Reporting.
Communication and Animal-Assisted Intervention: Effective interaction, establishing contact with clients, conflict-free communication, avoiding undesirable situations, and ethical conduct.
Psychology of Interaction: Recognizing key client states (emotional, behavioral, cognitive) for correct and safe engagement. Behavioral and external indicators of states: posture, movements, facial expressions, intonation, reactivity, speech behavior analysis, etc.
Animal Assisted Therapy in a Comprehensive Approach: Psychosocial relief in communities, work with children with special needs, and in palliative care programs.
Building Resilience: Maintaining mental health through the involvement of emotional support dogs.
Course Relevance: Designed to address the needs of post-war Ukrainian society, meeting its requirements and adhering to international quality standards in human-animal interaction.
