Your Professional Home for AAI
We serve professionals and their therapy animals at work
About AAAIP
The Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals (AAAIP) is your professional home for safely and ethically integrating therapy animals into your school, clinic, or office. Whether you’re just getting started with therapy animals or have years of experience, AAAIP is here for you. We provide education, tools, and guidance to help you and your animal partner thrive.
AAAIP is backed by research and guided by a global team of leaders in the field, so you can feel confident that you’re doing it right. From first steps to best practices, AAAIP is here to support your success in animal-assisted interventions led by a collaborative team of field experts from around the globe.
Who does AAAIP serve?
AAAIP serves the needs of all professionals partnering with therapy animals in schools, clinics, or offices.
Mental & Behavioral Health Professionals
- Professional Counselors
- Social Workers
- Psychologists & Psychiatrists
- Rehabilitation Therapists
- Physical Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Speech-Language Pathologists
- Other Mental Health Professionals
Education Professionals
- Teachers
- School Counselors
- School Administrators
- Librarians
- Behavior Specialists
- Social Workers
- Other School-Based Professionals
- Higher Education Professionals
Professional Services
- Law Enforcement
- Juvenile Corrections Officers
- Attorneys and Mediators
- Court Officers
Medical & Allied Health Professionals
- Hospital Administrators
- Child Life Specialists
- Pain Management Teams
- Nurses and Doctors
- Dentists, Dental Assistants, and Hygienists
- Directors of Nursing Home Facilities
- Eldercare Professionals
- Hospice and Palliative Care Providers
Animal Behavior Experts
- Animal Trainers
- Researchers and Behaviorists
- Therapy Animal Program Coordinators
- Veterinarians
- Vet Techs
- Anyone working with animals in a therapeutic setting
Our History
AAAIP is the sister organization of Pet Partners, the premier international therapy animal organization. While serving thousands of dedicated volunteers, Pet Partners recognized a growing need among professionals, therapists, teachers, healthcare providers, and others who work with animals in their day-to-day work.
In response, Pet Partners spent two years conducting research, engaging with professional consultants, and collaborating with leaders across the AAI field. The result was AAAIP, a new kind of organization, one made just for professionals like you.
AAAIP and Pet Partners share a passionate and experienced staff committed to growing the field of Animal-Assisted Interventions. We want to help more people experience the life-changing power of the human-animal bond.
How are AAAIP and Pet Partners different?
| AAAIP | Pet Partners | |
| Need a therapy animal to apply | No | Yes |
| Provides knowledge-based AAI Specialist Certification for professionals | Yes | No |
| Offers continuing education opportunities | Yes | Yes |
| Provides insurance for volunteer handlers | No | Yes |
| Provides access to insurance for AAI professionals | Yes | No |
| Provides evaluation/registration for therapy animal team | Yes | Yes |
Our Core Values
At AAAIP, we envision a future where AAI is practiced widely, ethically, and successfully. Our work supports our core values:
- Excellence: Promote the highest possible standards in AAI to protect all involved—your, your patient, client or student, and your animal.
- Animal Welfare: Protect therapy animals. Acknowledge that they are living creatures that can express their wants and needs.
- Integrity: Act with honesty and adhere to the AAI Code of Ethics.
- Inclusion: Celebrate unique perspectives and points of view. Diversity drives innovation.
- Community: Bring together all professionals who value the power of AAI.
- Innovation: Establish AAI’s place as a well-respected intervention and advance it through research and collaboration.
- Education: Embrace life-long learning and commit to ongoing scholarship.
AAAIP Courses
Whether you’re new to AAI or want to deepen your knowledge, you’ll be empowered to work at the highest standards. Our courses cover everything you need to know, down to the how-to guides and documentation templates to support your work.
Save with AAAIP Membership
Become a member of AAAIP and learn the best way to add therapy animals to your work in schools, offices, clinics, and other professional settings. Members save on courses, certification, and attend events for free.