AAI 2 | The Animal Assisted Interventions Team

Monday, January 25, 2027, 6:30 PM–8:00 PM ET through Monday, March 8, 2027, 6:30 PM–8:00 PM ET

Online via Zoom

Description

This course explores models of Animal Assisted Social Work Interventions and the role of each member of the clinical or educational team including the practitioner, animal partner(s), client(s) or participant(s), and animal handler and/or volunteers. The reflexive skills necessary to effectively engage both human and animal partners are explored through the application of dialogic cross-cultural social work theory and methodology. The well-being of animal partners, the ethics of engaging animals to heal humans, and animal welfare are important foci of this course. Basic animal ethology, communication, signals of contentment, tolerance and stress, and positive training techniques, especially with dogs and horses will be centered.

Objectives

1. Describe two models for animal assisted interventions (AAI) and the roles associated with each model.
2. Describe the unique role and skills of the AAI practitioner.
3. Identify needs of the client in the practice of AAI.
4. Describe the theory of dialogic cross-cultural social work.
5. Apply reflexive awareness to practice with animal partners.
6. Describe positive training and socialization techniques for animal partners, especially dogs and horses, and be able to teach these to others.
7. Describe the ethics and practices involved in animal welfare.
8. Describe strategies for including animal handlers and volunteers in AAI.
9. Describe the basic ethology of their animal partner(s), especially dogs and horses.
10. Interpret animal partner’s signals of contentment, stress, and other feelings, especially in dogs and horses.
11. Identify at least two animal welfare considerations for partnering with smaller animals such as rabbits or guinea pigs.
12. Identify and describe the Five Freedoms that guide humane animal care.

Agenda

Monday, January 25, 2027, 6:30pm–8:00pm | The Triangle and Diamond Models (PATH International) and Focus on the person of the Therapist

Monday, February 1, 2027, 6:30pm–8:00pm |  Dialogic Cross-cultural Social Work – Growing the therapist’s reflexive awareness with animals

Monday, February 22, 2027, 6:30pm–8:00pm | Focus on the animal handler and/or volunteers

Monday, March 8, 2027, 6:30pm–8:00pm | Assignment/Synthesis

Instructors

Laura Sanders, LMSW, Certificate Director

See full list of contributing program instructors

CE Approval Statement

The University of Michigan School of Social Work, provider #1212, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 5/15/2026–5/15/2029. Social workers completing this course receive 12 general continuing education contact hours.

Please see the CE Policies page for more information about continuing education.

Continuing Education Offered

• 6 hours general asynchronous online
• 6 hours general live interactive online