SCAS Society for Companion Animal Studies

Companion Animal Interventions in Therapeutic Practice

29 June - 2 July (summer) or 14-17 September (autumn)

• BOOK NOW for 2012   

Our intensive animal-assisted interventions (AAI) training course has run for 4 years and continues to receive glowing reviews from course participants. This year, with the development of our new Introduction to animal-assisted interventions course we have changed the format of the intensive course to run over four days and to now include a practical element with a visit to a working animal-assisted interventions facility.

This course provides an exciting opportunity to learn more about AAI and how to include companion animals in therapeutic practice safely and effectively.

It offers a unique, multidisciplinary approach, led by a team of tutors who bring knowledge and experience from health, social care, education and veterinary backgrounds.

Who is this course for?

You may find the course particularly useful if you have a background and/or qualification in one of the following fields: mental health, education, social work, occupational therapy, psychology, animal behaviour, physiotherapy, veterinary medicine, care workers and managers, offender rehabilitation.

What will I learn about on the course?

• Good practice guidelines for a wide variety of animal-assisted interventions
• Session planning – matching clients and animals; selection; delivery plans
• Safe practice – roles, responsibilities and risks
• Animal welfare and care – appropriate animal handling, minimising stress, animal safety for species commonly included in interventions.
• Evaluation and measuring outcomes
• The ingredients for a successful programme including how to get started/develop a client base

What else will I get from the course?

• An opportunity to engage with companion animals in a therapeutic setting
• Networking with experienced leaders in the field and like-minded practitioners

Course delivery

The course takes place over four days and will be delivered at the Royal National College for the Blind near Hereford. The course is tutor led and supported and also includes a visit to a facility offering animal-assisted interventions. Please note that you are responsible for getting yourself to and from the course venue (Fri am start and Monday pm finish). If you require additional accomodation we can organise this for you directly with the venue at a price of £40 single and £60 double. Please let us know when you send your booking form through and we will organise this for you. We regret that only assistance dogs are allowed at the college.  

Pre-requisites

The four day residential course will be intensive and there will not be time to explain some of the basic principles and practices forming the foundation of animal-assisted interventions.  Therefore, the pre-requisites for this course will normally be to have completed our Introduction to animal-assisted interventions distance learning course or be able to demonstrate your understanding of the field to a similar level.  As our introduction course is in its first year of running in 2012 we will accept applications from participants that have not completed the course but you will be required to undertake some preparatory material prior to the residential course.  The preparatory material will be made available online and you will need a computer and Internet connection to access it.

Costs

£825 (SCAS members) and £875 (non-members). Fees include:

• 3 nights en-suite accommodation (Fri-Sun)
• Meals (breakfast, lunch and 2-course dinner) and light refreshments
• Course materials – online and course pack
• Transport to and from the practical session at the animal-assisted intervention centre

A flexible payment plan is also available, under the following terms:

• A deposit of £150 needs to be made at the time of booking to secure your place. This can be made online.
• We will then contact you to confirm your flexible payment plan of monthly payments of the balance
• Please note that balances must be paid in full by the following deadlines -
• Summer course - 18 June
• Autumn course - 10 September

These instalments can only be made by card over the phone, or by sending us a cheque.

How to book/pay

Places are limited and are filling up fast,so early booking is advised. Once you have completed the online application form you will be taken to the secure payment page to make your payment by card or request an invoice. Please note that applications will not be considered until payment has been made.

Please read our terms and conditions