AAHE 401 - Best Practices in Animal-Assisted Health & Education

(3 credits)

This course is designed to provide the groundwork for the creation of a beneficial, safe, and informed AAEH program. Topics include the preparation, assessment and documentation of a human-animal interaction, evaluation of environmental constrains, clarification of processes and terminology (e.g., treatment planning vs. session planning), set up of intentionality in practice, and the integration of practice into theoretical frameworks. Specific topics will address administrative policies; risk assessments and management plans to mitigate risks, insurance for AAHE practices, zoonotic concerns, legal, safety and liability procedures. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology, AAHE 201 Introduction to Animal Assisted-Health & Education or PSYC 420 Canine Learning and Behavior , AAHE 301 The Animal Partner in Animal-Assisted Health and Education, and AAHE 302 The Human Partner in Animal-Assisted Health and Education (Spring module I)