Tools for Schools Course Bundle

Maybe you’re looking to bring your therapy dog into your school or grow your existing program. AAAIP has all the tools you need to do it safely and ethically.  Designed specifically for teachers, school counselors, administrators, social workers, librarians, behavior specialists, and other school-based professionals, this 3-course bundle includes:

• Getting Started in AAI
• Training and Communication in AAI
• The Case for Animal-Related Engagement (ARE)

This trio of courses provides step-by-step training on how to safely and ethically integrate therapy animals into your school environment. From getting administrative buy-in to managing visits when your dog stays home, this bundle of courses covers it all and gives you the skills, confidence, and support you need.

1. Getting Started in AAI

Module 1 – Professional Skills, Knowledge, Attitudes and Standards of Practice

• Recognize the base-level standards of practice that apply to all interventions.
• Identify professional competencies required before offering AAI services.
• Assess your own readiness to partner with a therapy animal in a professional setting.

Module 2 – Documenting AAI: Creating Your Program Manual

• Identify general documentation needed for professional AAI services.
• Recognize aspects of liability insurance that must be considered when implementing an animal into professionalized practice.

Module 3 – Implementing the Diamond Model

• Distinguish between the Triangle and Diamond Models in AAI.
• Determine when working with a volunteer or paraprofessional team is the best choice.
• Identify best practices in establishing a partnership with a paraprofessional or volunteer.

2. Training and Communication in AAI

Module 1 – Foundational Understanding of Animal Training in AAI

• Compare and contrast approaching and avoidant behavior.
• Distinguish between animal aptitude and animal tolerance in AAI work.
• Identify reliable, predictable, and directable behaviors. Draw connections between the three types of behaviors.
• Identify the traits that make an animal a good candidate for AAI.
• Determine the optimal AAI environment for a particular therapy animal.
• Describe the added value that training cues have for therapy animals. Explain the value of the human-animal dyad in developing a personal form of two-way communication.

Module 2 – Trained Behaviors

• Explain the value of a therapy animal freely communicating during AAI sessions.
• Compare and contrast the different methodologies in animal training.
• Validate positive training methodologies as the most appropriate for training therapy animals.

Module 3 – Trained Behaviors

• Explain the value of a therapy animal freely communicating during AAI sessions.
• Compare and contrast the different methodologies in animal training.
• Validate positive training methodologies as the most appropriate for training therapy animals.

Module 4 – Applying Basic Cues and Two-Way Communication in AAI Environments

• Apply tenants of positive training philosophy to work with clients.
• Apply basic training expectations for dogs and other species.

Assessment for Training and Communication in AAI

• This 20-question quiz covers all content for Training and Communication in AAI.
• A passing score of 80% is required.  You must complete Modules 1-4 before accessing this assessment.

3. The Case for Animal Related Engagement (ARE)

Module – Foundational Understanding of Animal Training in AAI

• Determine how animal-related engagement (ARE) fits under the umbrella term animal-assisted interventions.
• Identify when ARE is more appropriate for a client than an in-person therapy animal interaction.
• Design ARE activities that meet specific client goals.