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Training Intensives in Colorado

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Event Details

October 19-21, 2024 

Saturday - Monday

9 am - 4 pm daily

Our 3-Day Intensive Training in Animal Assisted Therapy is as popular as ever. Students come from all over the world to learn with professionals who work every day helping clients with the assistance of their many therapy animals. This is a highly experiential workshop where participants will be working with 9 different species of animals. The emphasis is on mental health counseling and psychotherapy  but professionals and students from many different disciplines in human services have found the workshop very helpful. 

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If you are in the Certificate Program in Animal Assisted Psychotherapy and interested in adding the experiential training to your Certificate you can also attend the 3-day Skills-Based Intensive training where the student will have the opportunity to develop and practice AAP skills with others in a hands-on, experiential format with live animals. Students who have completed both the online coursework and the 3-day Intensive will have earned the CAAPII (Certificate of Education in Animal Assisted Psychotherapy with Experiential Learning).

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Animal Assisted Psychotherapy Skills-Based Training

Course Price: $1,140 

Course Location: Barking C.A.A.T. Ranch - Arvada, CO

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Arvada is approximately a 45 minute drive from the Denver International Airport. There is a lot to do in the area including hiking and biking. There are numerous food and lodging options close to Barking C.A.A.T. Ranch. Upon registration, we will send you information regarding local hotel options and fun things to do in the area.

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Continuing Education Hours/Credit

AATPC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 6545).  This program is Approved by the Colorado Association of Social Workers for 18 continuing education contact hours. This program is also Approved for 18 contact hours through the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).

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Course Requirements

No prerequisites. This training is open to anyone interested learning about integrating animals into their workplace. The emphasis is on counseling and psychotherapy. 

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Refund Policy

Cancellation for the 3-day Intensive with at least 4-weeks notice of the event date will be refunded in full, minus a $50 handling fee. If you contact us within 4 weeks of the event date, we will provide you a credit, minus a $50 handling fee, that can be used towards another training course, or other training option through AATPC.

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ADA Needs

We are happy to accommodate your ADA needs; please call at least two weeks prior to the seminar date. We have handicap parking on site.

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Questions? Contact Linda Chassman, lchassman@aatpc.org or 720-266-4444 x101

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Course Itinerary

Day 1: Animal Assisted Therapy Basics

This training will cover the basic issues involving the clinical practice of animal assisted therapy and provide opportunity to practice and learn to develop skills working with animals that help people.

Topics Include

  • Various types of animal assisted activities

  • Choosing an appropriate animal for your setting and population

  • Benefits of animal assisted therapy (AAT) and psychotherapy (AAP) and the strengths of integrating

  • Various animals

  • Training and certification

  • Legal and ethical issues in AAT

  • Animal welfare issues

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Day 2: Dogs and Other Animals as Co-Therapists

We will work with a variety of animals in this training, learning more specifically about the strengths and challenges of dogs, cats, goats, and small animals as therapy partners. We will also explore how each animal can benefit our clients.

Specifically we will explore

  • Benefits of particular types of animals

  • Skills and other qualities needed to be an effective therapy animal

  • Recognizing and managing animal calming signals and stress signs

  • Moderating client and animal needs

  • Specific areas of strength for different types of animals

  • Basic training issues for dogs and other animals

  • Helping clients to work safely with different types of animals

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 Day 3: Animal Assisted Intervention Development

This day will focus on the process and practice of developing specific interventions for children, teenagers, and adults, aimed at targeting treatment goals for a number of common clinical issues including:

  • Trauma

  • Anxiety

  • Eating disorders

  • Addiction

  • Self-harm & suicide

  • Depression

  • Attachment issues

  • Autism spectrum

  • And more (if you have a specific request please email us in advance!)​

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