Animal assisted therapy offers a positive behavioral support intervention for young people with severe emotional or behavioral problems as well as provides emotional, psychological and physiological support for the critically ill, elderly, physically impaired and more. The difference you’ll make in the lives of others will be extremely rewarding.

 Oakland University’s Animal Assisted Therapy Certificate program addresses several health and social issues, including an increased need for alternative, innovative and holistic practices. Utilizing animal assisted therapy in educational, therapeutic and health care settings benefit at-risk children and adolescents, the elderly and other special-needs populations. 

 Animal assisted therapy has also been effective in nursing homes, counseling centers and hospitals. A diverse range of people can apply animal assisted therapy to their professional careers, including nurses, teachers, counselors, physical therapists, sociologists, and more.

Taught by multidisciplinary professionals, Oakland’s animal assisted therapy program helpsfulfillthe 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

• 
  How to incorporate animal assisted therapy in current practices
• how animal assisted research applies to real-life applications
• what the difference is between animal assisted therapy and pet therapy
• 
  how to gain a theoretical framework for animal assisted therapy interventions
• how to start your own non-profit organization
• 
  where to volunteer and much more

The program includes five consecutive 8-week modules in the following areas:

                Module 1 – intro to Animal Assisted Therapy (First half of fall semester)
                Module 2 – Psychology of AAT (Second half of fall semester)
                Module 3 – Special Populations and AAT (First half of winter semester)
                Module 4 – Working with Animals (Second half of winter semester)
                Module 5 – Capstone project (First half of spring semester) 

Since this is considered professional development / continuing education, students do not have to apply to Oakland University to enter the program. Cost for the program is $1,495. 

"As a practitioner of Animal Assisted Therapy (mental health therapy dog) for more than 7 years, I have found the AAT Certification Program at Oakland University to be the foundation that is essential for the professional use of this methodology. The knowledge and skill sets related to the professional utilization of AAT are identified and then the student's development is guided and measured every step of the way while tailored to the particular needs of each participant."  - John W. Streeter, MA, MAC, NCC, LPC