Continuing Education Courses
Tilly’s Place is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Occupational Therapy as an approved provider of continuing competency for occupational therapists and occupational therapist assistants.
Instructor: Laura Poleshuck, PhD, OTD, C-AAIS, CPDT-KA
Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) and Education (AAE): An Introduction to Incorporating Therapy Animals into Practice
Course Description
This course will introduce participants to animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and animal-assisted education (AAE) by examining terminology, the human-animal bond, qualities of a good therapy dog/handler team, other types of animals which can be involved in AAT and AAE, examples of practice, and animal welfare guidelines. Orion and Tilly are experienced therapy dogs, each registered with the course instructor as their handler; they will support learning through examples of how dogs can be incorporated into professional practice with adults and children.
Location, date and time
50 State Street, Suite H, Pittsford, NY 14534
Date and time TBD
Number of contact hours to be awarded
2 contact hours
Target audience
OT practitioners (OTs & OTAs); also open to PTs, PTAs, SLPs, social workers, psychologists, special/inclusive educators, and educators
Learning objectives of the course
At the end of this seminar, participants will …
Define and provide examples of the human-animal bond; assistance/service animals, emotional support animals, and therapy animals
Explore the evidence on the connection between the human-animal bond and health, wellness, and quality of life
Compare and contrast the incorporation of dogs with other animals as partners in AAT/AAE
Describe qualities of dogs and handlers who participate in effective AAT/AAE.
Give five examples of the incorporation of AAT/AAE as a complementary treatment modality within the scope of professional practice.
Examine animal welfare and the ethical responsibilities involved in working with animals, for both the humans and animals involved.
Cost
$99
Getting Started in Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI); Professional Standards and Practice in Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) and Education (AAE)
Course Description
In this course participants will explore various strategies for getting started with AAT and AAE, with a focus on dogs. Topics include industry standards for animal-assisted intervention professionals, including certification, becoming a professional therapy animal/handler team with your own pet/procedures for selecting and training an animal for AAI, working with volunteer therapy animal/handler teams, and examples of AAT and AAE in settings such as schools, hospitals, and clinics. The theme of animal welfare is woven throughout the course. Orion and Tilly are experienced therapy dogs, each registered with the course instructor as their handler; they will support participant learning through AAT and AAE activities.
Location, date and time
50 State Street, Suite H, Pittsford, NY 14534
Date and time TBD
Number of contact hours to be awarded
3 contact hours
Target audience
OT practitioners (OTs & OTAs); also open to PTs, PTAs, SLPs, social workers, psychologists, special/inclusive educators, and educators
Learning objectives of the course
At the end of this seminar, participants will …
Describe the process for becoming a Certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Professional.
Compare and contrast the human handler and animal expectations within different national therapy animal/handler team assessments.
Explain the pros and cons of the triangle (therapist/educator is therapy animal handler) and diamond (working with a volunteer therapy animal/handler team) approaches to AAI.
Describe findings from the literature about the benefits of AAI in rehabilitation, on cognitive, social, emotional, and moral development, and in therapy/counseling.
Create AAT/AAE activities to meet the goals of fictional individuals in case studies of various ages, diagnoses, and settings.
Cost
$149
Developing a Therapy Animal Program; Considerations for Safe and Effective Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) with Diverse Populations
Course Description
In this course participants will learn about space/environmental needs, rest and exercise guidelines, training and skills assessment, safety considerations, insurance, and animal and human welfare when developing a therapy animal program within an existing educational and/or healthcare environment. Participants will be introduced to the InterProfessional Animal-assisted Wellness (IPAW) Collaborative, which was created by the presenter in collaboration with another faculty member at Nazareth University. This campus-integrated therapy dog program has provided animal-assisted activities (AAA) and animal-assisted therapy (AAT) for college students, animal-assisted therapy (AAT) for clients of all ages in on-campus student led OT, PT, SLP, creative arts therapy, and social work clinics, and animal-assisted education (AAE) for at-risk youth during a campus-based summer enrichment program.
Location, date and time
50 State Street, Suite H, Pittsford, NY 14534
Date and time TBD
Number of contact hours to be awarded
2 contact hours
Target audience
OT practitioners (OTs & OTAs); also open to PTs, PTAs, SLPs, social workers, psychologists, special/inclusive educators, administrators, and educators
Learning objectives of the course
At the end of this seminar, in relation to a variety of therapeutic and/or educational settings, participants will …
Outline environmental/space needs for an AAI program.
Explain animal behavior and skills required for participation in AAI and formal assessment measures for animals and their human handlers.
Develop scheduling strategies for AAIs based upon setting demands and animal needs for freedom of choice, rest, and exercise.
List potential safety concerns and solutions for AAI programs.
Identify evidence regarding effectiveness of AAI to share with administrators when writing program proposals.
Explain liability insurance options for professionals engaging in AAI.
Cost
$99
Refund and cancellation policies
Refunds - A full refund less $25 administrative fee per course will be given for cancellations received up to 10 days prior to the course. After that, no refunds will be given for cancellations unless a replacement participant is registered.
Cancellations - Tilly’s Place reserves the right to cancel any course due to extenuating circumstances. We are not responsible for any expenses incurred by participants if the course must be canceled. If Tilly’s Place cancels a course, participants will be refunded in full within 10 business days.