SCAS Funded Project: Virtual Reality Swimming with Dolphins

SCAS Chairman, Dr Elizabeth Ormerod writes: One of the workshops at the 2018 IAHAIO conference in Amsterdam was delivered by the Dolphin Swim Club, an innovative cutting-edge programme which employs virtual reality (VR) technology. By wearing waterproof VR goggles showing underwater video footage of dolphins, people perceive that they are underwater swimming with them. This very powerful and moving experience was enjoyed by the delegates – there was a swimming pool within the conference centre! Continue reading →

Can you help with research into the impact of client suicide on mental health practitioners who specialise in Animal Assisted Therapy?

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Researchers at the Erasmus University are investigating the impact of client suicide on mental health professionals (particularly those who specialise in Animal Assisted Therapy), both with respect to emotional and professional consequences. Continue reading →

Warning on Autism Service/Support Dogs

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Below is a warning that was release by Blaenau Gwent Trading Standards in July 2016.

Blaenau Gwent Trading Standards has warned families considering buying an autism service/support dog to be on their guard when choosing the company or trainer who is supplying the dog. They advise families to check whether they are registered with Assistance Dogs International (ADI), which runs an accreditation scheme for charities and other not-for-profit organisations. If they’re not ADI registered, Trading Standards say families should do as many checks as possible, including speaking to previous customers and looking at reviews. Continue reading →

Animal Assisted Therapy: Do you deliver it? If so, what’s your perspective?

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We have been approached by a student from the University of Northampton who is looking to interview a number of therapists who are are currently delivering Animal Assisted Therapy to children and young people. If you are able to help please contact the student on the contact details below. Please note: The Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) takes no responsibility for this research, and any queries or issues,must be directed to the researcher themselves. Continue reading →

Nature-based therapies for people with mental health conditions

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Are you involved in delivering or referring to nature-based therapies aimed at people with diagnosed mental health conditions? If so, the University of Exeter are conducting research on relationships between natural environments, and health and wellbeing, and would like to hear from you! Continue reading →

Can you spare some time to help researchers from the University of Edinburgh?

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Do you work in an organisation that delivers animal welfare/cruelty prevention interventions to children and young people? Would you have some time to help researchers from the University of Edinburgh to identify how best to educate children about animal welfare and prevent cruelty through the completion of two online questionnaires? Continue reading →

Churchill Fellowships open for application

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Are you looking to research a cause that is close to your heart? If so, the next round of Churchill Fellowships are open for application. Continue reading →

Board Members Required: Paws for Progress CIC

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Do you have experience in financial management and income generation, human resources, communication and marketing, and/or experience working in the third sector, education or criminal justice settings? Continue reading →

People & Animals Networking Day – Friday 20 September 2019

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If you are coming along to our 2019 Conference on Saturday 21 September 2019, why not combine it with a visit to nearby People & Animals Networking day on Friday 20 September 2019?

People & Animals UK are a Community Interest Company, specialising in providing Animal-Assisted Interventions in the form of therapy, education, activities, as well as practical training and professional networking days since 2013. Continue reading →

SCAS 2019 Conference Now Open for Registration

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The Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) is delighted to announce that its 2019 conference, ‘Companion Animals and Us: One Welfare’, is now open for registration. To be held on Saturday 21 September 2019 at The College of Animal Welfare in Cambridgeshire, if you are passionate about the relationship between humans and animals, this conference is for you! Continue reading →