Have you considered bringing animals like dogs or cats – even goats! – into the therapy room? What does it take to become certified to offer this service? Did you know that chickens are one of the most popular therapy animals?
If you love animals and know that your clients do too, and you've heard about the benefits that animals can offer clients in therapy, then consider offering animal-assisted therapy!
In this episode, Eileen and I discuss the differences between animal-assisted therapy and other forms of animals in therapeutic or medical situations, how you can become certified, and how to navigate the legal fine print.
MEET EILEEN BONA
Eileen is a Registered Psychologist who has been practicing AAT for 19 years. She Founded Dreamcatcher Nature Assisted Therapy, one of the Largest AAT organizations in Canada, and developed the first College courses and Certificate in AAT in English in Canada. Eileen is the President of the AAT in Counselling chapter of the CCPA and was a task force member for the newly developed standards for working with animals in service in our country.
Learn more about Eileen on her website and her LinkedIn page.
In this episode:
What is animal-assisted therapy?
How animals are certified to work with clients
Be proactive!
The difference between evaluation and screening
What is animal-assisted therapy?
Principally, animal-assisted therapy can only be done through a qualified and trained therapist. These therapists that work with animals include them in their practice to help people overcome their mental health, mobility, or social-emotional issues.
The difference between animal-assisted therapy and emotional support animals is, simply put, that an emotional support animal is like a pet.
They accompany a person who feels anxious about completing everyday tasks such as going to the shops or school. Although, this animal is not typically screened or evaluated to be in public.
How animals are certified to work with clients
If you want to start working with animals to help your clients differently, you also need to become certified first.
Certain animals are more introverted than others, so the animal needs to be happy and comfortable working with people for it to be a good therapy assistant.
If you have an animal that you would like to screen, there are different companies available that can do that for you. Some companies even offer virtual screening. Scroll down and check below for links!
Keep in mind that it is highly recommended to get insurance if you want to offer animal-assisted therapy otherwise you and your practice will be held liable if anything untoward happens.
Be proactive!
Knowledge is power in the sense that you can protect yourself, your practice, and your animal by knowing what is necessary, recommended, and protocol when it comes to certain things happening.
For example, have a waiver that clients have to sign that they know an animal is on the premises, and add it to your consent form. Be proactive in reading about protocols that are required so that you will have a leg to stand on in a court of law if something bad happens.
The difference between evaluation and screening
All animals that are used in animal-assisted therapy, and some emotional support animals, are screened.
However, only animals that go out into public spaces, and buildings, or interact with the public itself are evaluated. This means that they are assessed on how they respond to sudden situations, strangers, or new environments and whether they remain calm.
Resources mentioned and useful links:
Ep 68: Maegan Megginson: Success Depends on Rest and Authenticity
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
If you want to evaluate or screen your animal, consider working with Dreamcatcher Nature-Assisted Therapy or St. Johns Ambulance and read the BMS requirements here and here!
Learn more about Eileen and her work on the website and her LinkedIn page.
