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Therapy dogs

canine-assisted services

 

Our courses are based on up-to-date research in ethology, anthrozoology (human-animal interactions), pedagogy, and public health. The courses are adapted individually to each student's ambitions and abilities.

Emphasis on animal welfare

All training of dogs is based on positive training methods, and personality assessments of all dogs to determine if they are suitable for work in AAS (animal assisted services).

Dogs have the ability to instantly get close to a person and feel familiar. They can be an icebreaker, helping us to faster create a connection with a person. Dogs have a calming effect on people and can lighten a persons mood and their effect on us can be significant. They can help a person to open up, lessen anxiety, be a motivator, be a higlight and something to look forward to in a persons week/day.

Online startup course therapy dog

Online startup course

- for visiting, school and therapy dog handlers

 

The course teaches you the important and necessary basics you need in order to work confidently with your dog in animal-assisted services. It's an extensive beginner's course.


Prize
€299

Visiting team illustration
shool dog therapy dog illustration

Therapy dog teams work in various fields

 

Education

- assisting students of all ages with challenges in areas such as reading, concentration, communication, self-control, social interactions, and more.

Therapy

- assist healthcare professionals with patients in physical therapy. Therapy dogs help enhance overall well-being, reduce stress, and improve the effectiveness of rehabilitation exercises.

General activities

- some therapy dog teams work more freely with different institutions, businesses and privately contracted for individual clients.

Handbook

Animal-Assisted Support with dogs

A comprehensive book and foundational text crafted by leading experts in the field. This revised edition, born from the collaboration of various specialists, is an updated version of 'Animal Assisted Activities with Dogs: Guidelines for Basic Requirements & Knowledge,' initially published in 2016.

Included in the online startup course

 

Price

€35.00

 

What does science say about the effects of animal assited services?

Research shows that interactions with animals:

  • Can strengthen self esteem and belief in one's abilities

  • Can be a catalyst to promote human social contact

  • Can be effective as emotional support

  • Increases compassion and empathy in people

  • Reduces blood pressure

  • Lowers a persons heart rate

  • Activates hormones that are positive for calm and wellbeing

  • Contributes to increased motivation

therapy dog illustration

Dogs have a unique ability 
to give us a sense a calm

"

to make us smile, to make us be present here and now, and give us closeness and warmth. A dog is let into our comfort zone already by the first time we meet. Closeness to humans can be complicated and take time, but with a dog, it comes naturally and the positive effects can last long. Humans who are lonely, isolated, chronically ill, children with learning difficulties, and many more can be in need of animal-assisted services.

"

animal assisted activities
therapy dog

Both dog and owner are enriched

 

by the work they do together in animal-assisted services. 

The family dog that spreads love and joy in your house can do the same for someone who needs a break, needs a smile, needs help to relax, or just needs the extra help a dog can give in situations that are difficult.

 

Your dog loves activities with you and working in AAS is very stimulating for the dog, providing lots of mental stimulation and a positive change and enrichment in everyday life.

Community and personal advancements

ICofA is a big network of people certified in AAS and meets regularly online and in training camps during the summer. Everyone shares experiences, inspires each other in further developments, and supports each other.
 

Animal assisted services are growing and developing rapidly and we recommend staying up to date and educating yourself to grow your craft further.

AAI community people

Dogs are diverse

Dogs have been selectively bred throughout history to cooperate and live closely with humans. They are eager to please and socialize, and there are significant variations in qualities and traits among breeds and individuals.

This allows dogs to fit a wide range of user groups and activities. We graduate dogs from all breeds to work in animal-assisted services.

The individual's characteristics determine suitability, not the breed.

dog illustration
Online startup course therapy dog

Online startup course

- for visiting, school and therapy dog handlers

 

The course teaches you the important and necessary basics you need in order to work with your dog in animal-assisted services. It's an extensive beginner's course.

PADA dog

The dog is evaluated by an ethologist, to see if it is suitable for use as a visiting dog, school dog or therapy dog

Do As I Do startkit course

Teach your dog the new and exiting training method developed as a result of a research project in dogs social learning skills. The dog learns tricks and behaviors by mimicking your actions.

DoAsIDo scientific studies

Compares the difference in social learning vs associative learning.

DoAsIDo demonstration Q&A

Have you ever wanted to try Do As I Do: Using social learning to train dogs? Fumi Higaki, the co-founder of the method will answer all your questions and show several videos with explanation

DoAsIDo Introduction

Introductory course, that gives you 3 unique lectures and the possibility to listen to the method authors.

DoAsIDo startup Q&A

What is Do as I Do? In this Q&A you will get all your questions answered by the co-author of the method!

DoAsIDo Follow-up

Introductory course, that gives you 3 unique lectures and the possibility to listen to the method authors.

Step by step Mini-courses

These courses teach you essential behaviors that you need for your work in AAS. Easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions set up for both beginner and more advanced dog owners.

The behaviors are also very useful for everyday life and the many situations we regularly encounter with our dogs

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