Got a question?
BSY Group
01409 220 400
Study Grants1  for everyone
To help you we will fund 25% of your course fees - Use code SG20 when you enrol

Animal Assisted Therapy Course

Level: Practitioner QLS level 3

By successfully completing this course, you will:

  • Gain skills and knowledge to practice Animal Assisted Therapy – graduates of this course can also obtain professional liability insurance
  • Receive the Certificate of Achievement at QLS Level 3*
  • Become a Registered BSY Animal Assisted Therapy Practitioner
  • Be awarded the professional BSY Diploma
  • Be eligible to become a member of AHCP (Association of Complementary Practitioners)

This course is available on our unique online platform D2L. You can study this course from the comfort of your own home; in your own time and at your own pace; with helpful support and encouragement from our friendly tutors.

For advice or to enrol, please call 01409 220 400

Course overview

Based on clinical observations and data from existing studies, researchers have suggested that repeated interaction with a companion animal could have beneficial long-term effects.  The purpose of animal assisted therapy (AAT) is to strengthen, support and help people to live rewarding and healthy lives.  This course examines the benefits of AAT, the way in which animals can provide social support, and the relationship between animals and humans. You will understand the way in which an animal is chosen and trained, and the way in which a client is screened for suitability for AAT work. You will also learn how to devise programmes and how to use solution-focused therapy in order to help a wide range of people.

Syllabus

View Syllabus
  • Lesson One
    • The History and Benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy
      • History
      • The Human-Animal Connection
      • The Risks of Animal Assisted Therapy
      • The Benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy
  • Lesson Two
    • The Differences between Animal Assisted Activities and Animal Assisted Therapy/ Social Support
      • Animal Assisted Activities
      • Animal Assisted Therapy
      • Social Support through Animal Relationships
      • The Benefits of Therapy Animals
  • Lesson Three
    • Selecting an Animal for Therapy Work
      • Therapy Dogs
      • Testing Puppies
      • Testing Older Dogs
      • Canine Culture
  • Lesson Four
    • Selecting an Animal for Therapy Work (Continued)/ Training an Animal for Therapy Work
      • Therapy Cats
      • Therapy Horses
      • Small Therapy Animals
      • Socialisation
      • Touch Desensitisation
      • Obedience Training
      • Special Skills
  • Lesson Five
    • Client Screening/ Standards of Practice and Care/ AAT Counselling Techniques/ Designing and Implementing AAT Programmes
      • Informed Consent
      • Using AAT in the Counselling Session
      • Rules for Guiding AAT Programmes
  • Lesson Six
    • Using Animals as Part of Solution-focused Therapy
      • AAT and Solution-focused Therapy
      • Problem-solving versus Solution-building
      • The Goals of AAT and Solution-focused Therapy
      • Purposeful Interventions
      • Example of an AAT Intervention
  • Lesson Seven
    • Structuring an AAT Session/ AAT with Children
      • Relational Techniques
      • Animal Assisted Interventions
      • Cultural Differences in Attitudes towards Animals
      • Play Therapy
      • School-based Programmes
  • Lesson Eight
    • Working with Older People and Special Populations/ Creating a Successful AAT Programme
      • Adolescents
      • Adults
      • Elderly Clients
      • Substance Abusers
      • Victims of Violence
      • Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development
      • General Welfare Considerations
Close

Practical training

No practical training is required to complete this course.

CLOSE X

Prerequisites

You do not need to have any additional qualifications before studying this course.

Level

On successful completion of this course you will have received professional training at level 3. This is ideal if you wish to start a practice, or expand a career. Graduates of this course wishing to start their own practice can also obtain professional liability insurance. It has also been endorsed by the Quality Licence Scheme and graduates will receive the QLS Certificate of Achievement as above. This course has been designed by BSY to meet specific learners’ and/or employers’ requirements which cannot be satisfied through current regulated qualifications. The Quality Licence Scheme, endorses high-quality, non-regulated provision and training programmes.

Certification

Practitioner Certifcate
On successful completion students will receive dual awards: Award 1- The professional BSY Animal Assisted Therapy Diploma and will become a Registered BSY Animal Assisted Therapy Practitioner.
ABC Certifcate
Award 2- Certificate of achievement at QLS Level 3 from Quality Licence Scheme. Registration through BSY is essential with this course.
CLOSE X

This course is delivered online or via mixed study*.

Online study

Upon enrolment you receive your first course lessons via our unique online learning platform providing you with the learning resources you need to complete the course.

You can study in your own time, at your own pace and from the comfort of your own home. You will be able to progress through your course whenever and wherever you wish – all you need is access to the internet, and a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone.

If you have any questions, or would like feedback or encouragement about your course or your studies then you can contact our friendly tutors by phone, email or post.

At the end of each lesson are a set of questions. Completing these can aid your learning and help you master each step before moving on to the next. Your next lesson will then be provided for you to continue when it suits you. This allows us to continually assess understanding and competence of the subject.

Having progressed through each lesson you can take your final examination at home, and at a date and time that suits you. Then, on successful completion of final examination, you will be awarded both your BSY Diploma and QLS Level 3 Certificate of Achievement.

Additional study options

Mixed Study

As part of your enrolment onto this course you will receive access to our unique online platform which will provide you with online access to your course materials – making them easy to access on-the-go.

Once logged on, you can also request to have the materials supplied in printed format for you to keep, make notes and use for future reference.

*Mixed study option is available to request from within the online platform, a small one-off fee is payable to cover printing and postage costs.

CLOSE X
Your tutor will mark your lessons, giving valuable, constructive feedback - helping you to master each step before moving on to the next. You can contact them for support or advice throughout your studies.
You can also contact the support team who are here to help you Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
We are proud of our friendly, caring ethos and aim to do all we can to help you succeed.
CLOSE X

Enrol now for £55.

To enrol by phone, please call our friendly course advisors on 01409 220 400.

You can:

  • Pay 6 monthly payments of £38.33 (£30 administration fee included)
  • or
  • Pay the total course fee of £200 in one sum and receive a £20 Amazon voucher***

You can:

  • Pay 6 monthly payments of £42.50 (£30 administration fee included)
  • or
  • Pay the total course fee of £225 in one sum and receive a £20 Amazon voucher***

You can:

  • Pay 9 monthly payments of £38.88 (£30 administration fee included)
  • or
  • Pay the total course fee of £320 in one sum and receive a £20 Amazon voucher***

You can:

  • Pay 9 monthly payments of £42.22 (£30 administration fee included)
  • or
  • Pay the total course fee of £350 in one sum and receive a £20 Amazon voucher***

You can:

  • Pay 11 monthly payments of £42.27 (£30 administration fee included)
  • or
  • Pay the total course fee of £435 in one sum and receive a £20 Amazon voucher***

You can:

  • Pay 11 monthly payments of £42.27* (£30 administration fee included)
  • or
  • Pay the total course fee of £435* in one sum and receive a £20 Amazon voucher***

You can:

  • Pay 11 monthly payments of £45.45 (£30 administration fee included)
  • or
  • Pay the total course fee of £470 in one sum and receive a £20 Amazon voucher***

You can:

  • Pay 11 monthly payments of £45.45* (£30 administration fee included)
  • or
  • Pay the total course fee of £470* in one sum and receive a £20 Amazon voucher***

You can:

  • Pay 11 monthly payments of £47.27 (£30 administration fee included)
  • or
  • Pay the total course fee of £490 in one sum and receive a £20 Amazon voucher***

You can:

  • Pay 11 monthly payments of £47.27* (£30 administration fee included)
  • or
  • Pay the total course fee of £490* in one sum and receive a £20 Amazon voucher***

You can:

  • Pay 11 monthly payments of £52.27 (£30 administration fee included)
  • or
  • Pay the total course fee of £545 in one sum and receive a £20 Amazon voucher***

You can:

  • Pay 11 monthly payments of £52.27* (£30 administration fee included)
  • or
  • Pay the total course fee of £545* in one sum and receive a £20 Amazon voucher***

You can:

  • Pay 11 monthly payments of £57.27 (£30 administration fee included)
  • or
  • Pay the total course fee of £600 in one sum and receive a £20 Amazon voucher***

You can:

  • Pay 12 monthly payments of £65 (£30 administration fee included)
  • or
  • Pay the total course fee of £750 in one sum and receive a £20 Amazon voucher***

You can:

  • Pay 12 monthly payments of £65* (£30 administration fee included)
  • or
  • Pay the total course fee of £750* in one sum and receive a £20 Amazon voucher***

You can:

  • Pay 12 monthly payments of £82.08 (£30 administration fee included)
  • or
  • Pay the total course fee of £955 in one sum and receive a £20 Amazon voucher***

You can:

  • Pay 12 monthly payments of £82.08* (£30 administration fee included)
  • or
  • Pay the total course fee of £955* in one sum and receive a £20 Amazon voucher***

You can:

  • Pay 12 monthly payments of £82.91 (£30 administration fee included)
  • or
  • Pay the total course fee of £965 in one sum and receive a £20 Amazon voucher***
How to enrol
Please call 01409 220 400 - Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
CLOSE X

*Registration fee included.

Home|T&Cs|Privacy
Cookies|Site Map|Desktop Website
*** Terms apply
1  The number of study grants available is limited and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Enrol today to guarantee your grant. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers or against any CPD modules. If you choose to pay your course fee in one sum, you will receive your study grant offer immediately. If paying with a deposit followed by monthly instalments, your deposit payment will be reduced by the study grant percentage and each subsequent instalment payment will also be reduced by the study grant percentage. Other terms and conditions apply.
© Copyright: All copyright and other intellectual property rights relating to all content of this website is owned or licensed by BSY. Copying, adaptation or other use without the written permission of BSY is prohibited.
Medical Advice Disclaimer: If you require advice relating to a particular health problem, BSY strongly urges you to contact your doctor or other medical practitioner. BSY is not qualified to provide advice about health problems and nothing in the content of this website constitutes any form of medical advice. Any natural holistic health care information provided should be regarded as complementary to, not a substitute for, conventional health care.
BSY Ltd, Oakwood, Dunsland Cross, Devon EX22 7YT   Telephone: 01409 220 400   Overseas: 0044 1409 220 400   Registered Office: Oakwood, Dunsland Cross, Devon, EX22 7YT   Company Registered in England No.: 2845821   VAT details: 740 0174 77   Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority   BSY Group is a trading name of BSY Ltd
Stay in touch
Receive priority access to discounts and
new courses
Submit
*Required field
By clicking submit you agree to us contacting you via sms or email
Thank you
We'll be in touch
X
Get 25% OFF
When You Enrol Today!
Discount applied at checkout.
Flexible Learning - Study at your own pace
Enrol now
x
Home
Courses
Accreditations
Our Students
Why Study With Us
About
Study Methods
Contact Us
FAQ
Enrol Now