Transform Lives with Animal Assisted Therapy Learn from Dreamcatcher™

Dreamcatcher™ Animal Assisted Wellness Academy has been officially offering certification in Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) on a global scale for more than a decade. This includes the development of AAI courses, college diplomas, training and certification for therapy animals, certification for professionals, internships, workshops, and seminars. We have successfully assisted educational facilities and individuals all over the world to integrate animals into their practices. Dreamcatcher™ is one of the leading organizations in Animal Assisted Therapy in Canada and is proud to teach others to the highest standards in the growing field of Animal Assisted Interventions.

Inquiries are welcomed by contacting Eileen at eileen@dreamcatcherassociation.com

Introduction to Animal Assisted Interventions

Professional Training – Part One - Introduction to Animal Assisted Interventions
Pre-requisites: None
Duration: At Students’ Pace
Location: Distance Learning

This component of the process entails a Distance Education and Theoretical Learning aspect that is conducted online. It consists of 72 hours of learning about the theoretical and basic foundations of AAI, an overview of the research in the field and an introduction to the ethics and applications of the field. It is equivalent to a 6 credit university course.

Law and Ethics in Animal Assisted Interventions

Professional Training – Part Two - Law and Ethics in Animal Assisted Interventions
Pre-requisites: Completed Part One
Duration: At Students’ Pace
Location: Distance Learning

This course will provide interested professionals with an in-depth understanding of the ethics of Animal Assisted Interventions (AAIs) necessary for best practices in AAI. Animal assisted practitioners require a thorough understanding of animal behavior, human-animal interactions, potential animal diseases, animal screening and training processes and much more. Students will learn the ethical standards necessary to ensure safe and ethical human-animal therapeutic interactions. This component of the process entails a Distance Education and Theoretical Learning aspect that is conducted online. It consists of 36 hours and is equivalent to a 3 credit university course.

Animals In Practice

Professional Training – Part Three - Animals In Practice
Pre-requisites: Completed Part One & Two
Duration: At Students’ Pace
Location: Distance Learning

This course will provide detailed information about the many ways animals are currently being partnered with to help people and their proper titles depending on the type of work they are doing. The common species of animals typically partnered with in AAI will be discussed as well as details about their language and behavior and things you will be expected to know if partnering with them in your work. How to choose a wellness or intervention animal will be discussed as well as the process of having it screened and certified to work with you. The general ethics of handling animals in practice will be addressed. This component of the process entails a Distance Education and Theoretical Learning aspect that is conducted online. It consists of 36 hours of learning and is equivalent to a 3 credit university course.

Applications of Animal Assisted Interventions in Counselling

Professional Training – Part Four (A) - Applications of Animal Assisted Interventions in Counselling
Pre-requisites: Completed Part One, Two, & Three
Duration: At Students’ Pace
Location: Distance Learning

This course will provide an in-depth understanding of how to ethically and effectively integrate animals into counselling / office settings. Detailed information about the many ways animals are currently being partnered with to help people will be provided along with their proper titles depending on the type of work they are doing. The models in which AAT can be practiced, their ethics and the importance of maintaining balance in the AAT environments will be discussed. Details about how to introduce an animal into an office or counselling setting will be provided as well as how to set up an office environment and what supplies you will need to integrate your animal successfully into your office setting. Techniques and intentions of AAT will be discussed, the intricacy of matching animals to individuals or groups will be reviewed and directive and non-directive canine assisted play therapy approaches will be outlined. Students will submit a Final Project which will summarize the details of their own future or current AAT practice. This component entails a Distance Education and Theoretical Learning aspect that is conducted online. It consists of 36 hours and is equivalent to a 3 credit university course.

Applications of Animal Assisted Interventions in Education

Professional Training – Part Four (B) - Applications of Animal Assisted Interventions in Education
Pre-requisites: Completed Part One, Two, Three, & Four (A)
Duration: At Students’ Pace
Location: Distance Learning

This course will provide an in-depth understanding of how to ethically and effectively integrate animals into educational settings. The course will introduce the models in which AAI can be practiced and inform about the importance of maintaining balance in the AAI environments. It will also overview the current status of animals in schools and review the researched benefits of animals for students. A discussion of both indoor and outdoor learning environments will be held as well as a discussion for the importance of getting the administrators and educational institution on board and ways to do so. Students will submit a Final Project which will summarize the details of their own future or current AAE program. This component entails a Distance Education and Theoretical Learning aspect that is conducted online. It consists of 36 hours of learning and is equivalent to a 3 credit university course.

Professional training REGISTRATION FORM

Special Notice
Dreamcatcher™ does not provide animal assisted services training to anyone who will be:

Practicing Animal Assisted Interventions in a farm animal setting within a 50km radius of the Dreamcatcher™ facility
Practicing equine facilitated work in the same manner as Dreamcatcher™ within a 50 km radius of Dreamcatcher™.

This includes but is not limited to: individual therapy, group therapy, skill building, team building, specialized camps and retreats, teaching and training, field trips and other services that are specific to Animal Assisted Services.

Dreamcatcher™ has been offering distance trainings in Animal Assisted Interventions within Canada for nearly two decades and has assisted in the development of numerous programs Internationally. Our team can travel to locations around the country to educate and support your professional organization in the steps and aspects necessary to develop and run an ethical, professional and effective animal assisted intervention program.

We are skilled in a variety of animal species and can provide theoretical and logistical information for how any species may assist you in your work or fit within your organization. Upon request, our highly skilled Psychologist and Animal Behaviour Expert team will screen your potential 'therapy' animals and provide behavioral and temperament information as well as recommendations for the animal's scope of practice and needs to work in interventions.

Whether you are a professional organization looking to work with canines in a hospital setting or an individual with a rabbit hoping to assist children with behavioural concerns in school, all trainings are tailored to fit your needs. This ensures that as professionals, you and your animal partners are trained accordingly to deliver the highest standard of practice.

Inquiries are welcomed by contacting Eileen at 780.809.1047 ext 2 or emailing eileen@dreamcatcherassociation.com

Distance Programming and In-Person Individualized Training and Development has been provided to:

NATIONALLY
Cariboo Hoofbeats Assisted Activity Program a.k.a. CHAAPS, Quesnel BC
Semiahmoo Animal League Inc. a.k.a. SALI's Farm, Surrey BC
Teachers Association Inquiry Project & School District No. 22, Vernon BC

Cranston School, Calgary, AB
Eric Harvie School, Calgary, AB
BlueRein Ranch, Fort MacLeod, AB
St. Gregory Catholic School, Hinton, AB
Lloydminster Kennel Club, Lloydminster, AB
Keys to Hope, Medicine Hat, AB

Saskatoon Health Authority, Saskatoon, SK

INTERNATIONALLY
Butterfly Factory, Holland
Sunshine Academy, Japan