Animal Assisted Therapy

The Human-Animal Bond

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 look at the strong emotional connection many people have with animals and why this bond can be such a valuable part of non-clinical support work.

You’ll examine the relationship between mental health and the human–animal bond, learning how animals can play a role in emotional regulation and stress reduction. This includes an exploration of unmet emotional needs and how animal companionship can help meet them.

Animals in Different Roles

As you move through the course, you’ll explore a variety of types of animal-assisted therapy and how each can be applied. This includes:

• Animals as physical assistants – from guide dogs to mobility-support animals.

• Scent-based assistance – medical alert dogs trained to detect changes in health.

• Animals as emotional assistants – offering companionship and a comforting presence.

• Children and animals – how animal-assisted work can support emotional development, learning, and confidence in young people.

From Theory to Practice

The course introduces different types of therapies where animals can be involved, including complementary approaches and activities that support wellbeing. You’ll explore the ethical responsibilities of working with animals in any setting, along with the importance of animal welfare to ensure that both human and animal needs are respected.

Through case studies, you’ll see how animal-assisted approaches are used with a variety of people, including children, older adults, and neurodivergent people, bringing the theory to life with real-world examples.

Receive Certification in Animal Assisted Therapy

Upon completing this course, you’ll receive a recognised Animal Assisted Therapy certification, perfect for showcasing your achievement on your CV or professional portfolio. It also provides a foundation to support further learning or advanced animal-assisted therapy training if you want to develop your skills further.

Please note that audio courses do not include certification.

This course is for personal development and educational purposes only. With all online course study, we advise getting as much hands-on practice and practical experience as possible to master the skills being taught and to build your confidence and experience in this subject.

This accredited animal assisted therapy course is ideal if you want to:

• Understand how animals can support human wellbeing in non-clinical settings.

• Gain a certification for animal assisted therapy for personal or professional development.

• Add new skills to your work in education, coaching, or complementary wellness.

If you're interested in working in environments where Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) or Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) are used, this course is a great place to start. 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 or supportive roles.