Would you believe me if I told you that my most impactful therapy dog partners all struggled to pass their therapy animal evaluations?
When I tested with them years ago, AAAIP didn’t exist. We had to rely on evaluations designed for volunteer therapy animal work—important and meaningful, but different from the work I was doing. My therapy dogs’ jobs were unique: different settings, different expectations, sometimes even working off-leash for more than two hours at a time.
These dogs weren’t the hyper-obedient, perform-on-cue type. But they excelled in their environments and thrived when given the freedom of choice I wove into their daily work.
Over the years, I’ve learned this experience isn’t unique. Professionals around the world tell me that the way they work with their therapy or facility animals differs from the incredible work of volunteer handlers. That’s why evaluations for professional teams needed to be different, too.
In 2024, AAAIP launched the first-ever Evaluation for Professionals—designed specifically for this purpose.
What Is the Evaluation for Professionals?
It’s an in-person, workplace-based (or closely simulated) evaluation that ensures teams are safe, ethical, and well-prepared for their specific work setting.
Instead of simply testing general aptitude, we want to see a day in the life.
- What skills and behaviors does your animal need in your environment?
- How are they given the choice to participate in interactions?
Can you balance providing for your clients or students while also advocating for your animal partner?
This evaluation is about real-world readiness in your professional context—not just obedience in a controlled setting.
Who Should Take the Evaluation for Professionals?
Any professional integrating an animal into their work should have objective, third-party evidence of their team’s aptitude.
This includes, but isn’t limited to:
- Educators
- Mental health professionals
- Medical providers
While dogs are the most common, any species appropriate for the therapy animal role is welcome.
Skills and Behaviors Assessed in the Evaluation for Professionals
The evaluation rubric is divided into two sections: handler skills and animal skills.
Your evaluator will look for:
- Your ability to read and respond to your animal’s body language
- How you guide clients through interactions
- Your animal’s natural obedience cues in context (e.g., sitting to greet a new client, heeling through a doorway)
- Your animal’s general disposition—recovery from stress, relaxation, and willingness to engage with clients
Why the Evaluation for Professionals Matters
When you bring a live animal into your professional work, you need proof you’re following best practices in the field. This evaluation:
- Confirms your team’s readiness to work safely and effectively
- Demonstrates your commitment to your animal’s well-being
- Enhances your professional credibility with the title Professional Therapy Animal Team
How the AAAIP Therapy Animal Evaluation Process Works
- Meet the program requirements – You must be an AAAIP member and have earned your Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist certification (C-AAIS). This ensures that all participating professionals have demonstrated awareness of knowledge-based best practices and are actively engaged in a professional community that offers ongoing learning and networking opportunities.
- Apply – Once eligible, apply for the evaluation. AAAIP will help connect you with a qualified evaluator, often a dog trainer or AAI expert in your area.
- Schedule – Coordinate directly with your evaluator for a convenient time. Afterward, they submit your results online.
- Earn your title & get insured – Upon passing, AAAIP issues your certificate, which can be used to obtain professional liability insurance through our provider.
- Re-certify every 2 years – Because animals mature and change faster than humans, reevaluation is required every two years (or sooner if there’s a major work change).
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this Evaluation for Professionals different from an Evaluation for Volunteer teams? It’s designed specifically for professionals, assessing skills and readiness in a real or simulated work environment (not just general aptitude).
Can any animal species be evaluated?
Yes. While dogs are most common, any species appropriate for therapy animal work is welcome.
Do I need a certification before requesting the Evaluation for Professionals?
Yes. You must hold the C-AAIS credential, ensuring you have the knowledge-based best practices to succeed.
How long does the Evaluation for Professionals take?
The time varies based on your setting and work requirements, but most evaluations take 1–2 hours.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Make sure your team is prepared, safe, and recognized for the highest standards in animal-assisted interventions. Learn more about our Evaluation for Professionals application today → https://aaaiponline.org/evaluation/