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Animal Assisted TherapyAudio Course

The Animal Assisted Therapy Course provides information on the effectiveness of animals on human mental and physical health.

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Course overview:

9 Audio Files

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What Will You Learn?

The Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) Diploma Course explores how animals can positively influence human wellbeing through Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) and Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI). You'll gain insight into the observed emotional, psychological, and social benefits of human–animal interaction, supported by real-world examples and emerging research.

While the terms ‘therapy animals’ and ‘animal assistants’ are often used interchangeably, this course clarifies the distinct roles each plays and where they may overlap. You’ll also learn about the different qualities specific animals bring to supportive environments, from dogs and cats to rabbits, horses, and beyond.

Designed as an introduction to the field, this course highlights how animals can support wellbeing across a variety of settings—from educational and community environments to informal therapeutic spaces. You'll also examine the psychological impact of unmet emotional needs and how the human–animal bond can support emotional regulation, calm, and connection.

Specific topics include:

The benefits of Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) for emotional support
How therapy animals can play a role in educational, coaching, or care settings
Research into assistance animals, including guide dogs and medical alert dogs
Legal and ethical considerations around therapy and support animals
An overview of emotional development and how animal presence may aid self-awareness
Real-world applications of AAT, including use with children, neurodivergent individuals, and older adults

The course also introduces relevant psychological frameworks (such as CBT and the counselling process) to help learners understand how animals can be incorporated to enhance the client experience—within appropriate ethical and professional boundaries.

Please note: This is a knowledge-based course intended for personal development or use within complementary wellness and educational settings. It does not confer a license to practise as a therapist or animal handler in regulated clinical environments.

This course is perfeft for animal lovers and those looking to explore meaningful ways to integrate their passion for animals into personal growth or future professional interests!

The Animal Assisted Therapy Diploma is also suitable for general interest or Continuing Professional Development (CPD). It introduces learners to the wide-ranging, supportive role animals can play in promoting emotional wellbeing, social connection, and quality of life in various settings.

If you're interested in working in environments where Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) or Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) are used, this course provides a strong foundation of knowledge. You'll explore how animals contribute to human wellbeing, the distinctions between AAA and AAT, and what’s involved in ethically supporting animals within therapeutic, educational, or supportive roles.

Please note: This is an educational, non-clinical course designed to build awareness and understanding. It does not qualify students to practise as therapists or train assistance animals for regulated clinical work.

Introduction
Part 1: Terminology
Part 2: Assistance Animals
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Part 1: Psychology and Previous Approaches to Mental Health
Part 2: When Medical Support is Needed
Part 3: The Brain
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Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: Seligman’s PERMA Model
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Part 1: Dogs for Vision and Hearing
Part 2: Organisations that Train Specialist Dogs
Part 3: Umbrella Organisations
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Part 1: The Dog’s Amazing Nose
Part 2: Biological Detection Dogs
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Part 1: What Are Emotions?
Part 2: How Animals Affect Emotions
Part 3: Special Roles
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Part 1: Autism
Part 2: Assistance Dogs
Part 3: Other Applications
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Part 1: Physical Therapies
Part 2: Counselling-Based Therapy
Part 3: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Part 4: Where Animals Fit In
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Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: Involvement Options
Part 3: Welfare
Part 4: Stress in Animals
Part 5: Safe Practice
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Conclusion

FAQs

There is no time limit for completing your course it can be studied in your own time at your own pace.

All of our courses vary in length but most of our courses will take you between 50 - 250 hours to complete. The length of this course can be found in the Accreditations section above.

Once purchased your course is located in your Learning Centre on our website. Please log in using the same email address that you used when you purchased your course.

You can purchase a printed copy of your course materials at the checkout or from within your Learning Centre at any time after purchasing your course.