Animal-Assisted Intervention

Oakland University’s Animal Assisted Intervention Certificate program addresses several health and social issues, including an increased need for alternative, innovative and holistic practices.

Taught by multidisciplinary professionals, Oakland’s animal assisted intervention program helps fulfill the need for alternative, innovative and holistic health care practices. In addition, animal assisted therapy addresses several social issues, such as:

• providing educational, therapeutic and health benefits for at-risk children and adolescents, the elderly and other special-needs populations
• helping patients in nursing homes, counseling centers and hospitals

What is a certificate in AAI?
This Certificate Program focuses on the differences between Animal Assisted Activities, Animal Assisted Education, and Animal Assisted Therapy as well as how to setup a program to achieve the outcomes you'd like to see within the population with which you are working. This program is ideal for people in service professions (teachers, nurses, therapists,occupational therapists, etc.) who want to add AAI to their skill set and introduce either their own animals or other animals or people who want to conduct AAI, start a non profit or become a more credible volunteer. This program focuses on the human side of AAIs. No one program can meet all the needs of a competent provider. Hands-on components and specific animal behavior workshops and courses should be attended. This program does include a hands-on component to help tie in all elements and is working on a mentorship program. 

What types of animals can be integrated into AAIs? 
Cats, dogs, horses, rabbits, hamsters,etc. This program will help you identify what animals/pets would make safe, reliable therapy animals.

100% online:
The program is offered completely online. It runs in a consecutive format. There are deadlines and weekly due dates for assignments, but you can do them and post at your discretion. Most students say that the work is not overwhelming and many work full time jobs or take full time classes along with this program. We offer a capstone project which includes the writing of a full proposal/business-type plan rather than an internship. At the end, you will receive a professional development certificate from Oakland University.

Is the program accredited?
There is no national accrediting body for AAI, but having a certificate will make you more credible. We want to demonstrate how to incorporate AAI into any service field or type of service organization and you will have the chance to create by the end of the courses a plan specific to your needs that can be presented to a supervisor or potential facility for approval to add AAI to the location of your choice. This program will help establish standards and competencies for your work. There are competencies, ethics and best practice guidelines available including Animal Assisted Interventions International, American Counseling Association and the American Psychological Association's Human Animal Interaction Section 13. 

Examples of Goals for AAI:
The goal we want to achieve with each person that enters our program is to help them reach their own goals for their AAI programs.

AAI can assist with these goals and changes:

• Physical Changes ( disabilities, body posture, etc.)
• Cognitive Changes (Learning, etc.)
• Emotional Changes (Feeling, Recognizing, etc.)
• Physiological changes (Heart rate, etc.)
• Behavioral Changes (Altering behaviors)

Applying for this program at Oakland University will benefit you by reaching for your goals and creating new opportunities. 

What you'll learn: 
Oakland University’s academic approach to animal therapy will help you develop an overall understanding of the human animal bond and healing implications with vulnerable populations. You’ll learn:

• How to incorporate animal assisted interventions in current practices. 
• How animal assisted research applies to real-life applications
• What the difference is between animal assisted interventions
• How to gain a theoretical framework for animal assisted interventions how to start your own non-profit organization
• Where to volunteer.

Assumptions:

• We are using this in those simplest of terms- a relationship that provides a sense of safety and reduces anxiety or stress
• None of these are uniquely human (insel, 1997)- Social dynamics between people and pets have qualities similar to that of human social relationships. 

*The AAI certificate was created in 2007 for the demand people had for the program. A grant from the president’s office allowed the program to accept students from all over the world. This program is great for anyone who wants to accept AAI into their work with starting non-profit groups or become a better volunteer for some of these groups. This is an easy program completely online based with 5 Modules throughout a one year span. This online course will give you well-rounded training for your future involvement with AAI. The best part is that the workload is manageable and will teach you great skills involving Animal Assisted Interventions. The workload is at your own pace to work with your schedule of time.

The program includes six consecutive 5-week modules in the following areas:

Module 1- Intro to AAI (Instructors: Melissa Winkle)
Includes readings on the literature and the learning on what it takes to get started with AAI.

Module 2-  Animal Action Plan (Instructors: Melissa Winkle)
Preparing your animal to work in a therapeutic setting including concepts associated with selection of animals, identifying signs of stress and enjoyment in dogs, using humane training methods, and more.

Module 3- Special Populations (Instructors: Melissa Winkle)
Includes a closer look at vulnerable populations and how AAI will fit in with the populations. 

Module 4- Session Planning and Outcomes (Instructors: Melissa Winkle)
Treatment planning vs. session planning, having intentionality in practice, identifying outcomes for sessions, applying a theoretical framework, and more. 

Module 5 - Administrative Policies (Instructors: Melissa Winkle / Jennifer Cepnick)
Conducting risk assessments and management plans to mitigate risks, insurance for AAI practices, reviewing zoonotic concerns, and more. 

Module 6- Capstone (Instructors: Melissa Winkle)
Includes writing a final paper on introduction, needs assessment, methodology, budget / resources, similar programs, and outcomes.

(optional) Hands On Practicum 

Upon satisfactory completion of Oakland University's Animal Assisted Intervention Certificate Program, students may use the credentials CHAIS (Certificate as a Human Animal Intervention Specialist) to demonstrate that they have received education specific to AAIs. This program includes six 5-week modules and includes a review of theories, lit review, session planning, policies and legal issues, special populations, therapy animal welfare and a final capstone. Each cohort begins in September.

Complete the online  Admission Application

Once you hear back from the committee, you can register at www.oakland.edu/pace. 

Courses are $499 per course (both in/out of state; in/out of country) x 6 courses plus the costs of books (available on Amazon). Payment of $499 is due prior to the start of each course. Full price for the program is $2,994. Payment plans are available. A discount is available for those who enroll for all modules and participate in the payment plan option. Email Jennifer Cepnick at [email protected] for more information and for application forms. CHAI also offers the Sydney Zaleski financial award in memory of a wonderful AAI-C graduate.