YC 218 - Animal Assisted Interventions 3 Credits
Outline Effective Date 2023 Fall
2024/2025
Lecture Hours: 45
Lab Hours: 0
Practicum Hours: 0
Tutorial Hours: 0
Course Description:
Animal Assisted Interventions is a unique and growing field in working with individuals and groups of all ages. This course explores why/how qualified practitioners partnering with animals can be such an effective helping modality. An overview of the different ways animals can partner with practitioners to help people is provided. Students should take this course to gain a better understanding of the human-animal bond and the potential benefits of partnering with animals in practice.
Rationale:
This course explores a variety of issues relating to the field of human services. Students connect the knowledge from their previous course work to current issues and trends. Emphasis is placed on students developing critical thinking skills by listening to guest speakers, media, examining research articles on current topics and presenting findings to fellow students.
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Course Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
- describe the historical perspectives related to human and animal relationship.
- explain the terms and definitions related to human and animal relationships.
- examine how animal assisted interventions can be applied in the Human Service scope of practice.
- research how different animals partner to assist specific populations.
- describe how animals are selected and screened.
- argue in support of the ethical treatment of animals.
Required Resource Materials:
Online resource and research material
Optional Resource Materials:
Reference Material:
Fine, A. H. (2019). Handbook on animal-assisted therapy: Theoretical foundations and
guidelines for animal-assisted interventions (5th ed.). Academic Press.
Conduct of Course:
Lecture, class discussion, group exercises, media, and guest speakers are used to deliver the course content. Participation is necessary.
Regular attendance is essential for success in any course. Absence for any reason does not relieve a student of the responsibility of completing course work and assignments to the satisfaction of the instructor. Frequent absences may result in the student being probation. Further absences may result in suspension from the program.
On-line attendance is demonstrated by keeping up with readings and assignments, participation the discussion board and completing assignments.
In cases of repeated absences due to illness, the student may be requested to submit a medical certificate. Instructors have the authority to require attendance in classes.
Content of Course:
Introduction to the Human/Animal Bond
- Animal assisted interventions historical perspectives
- Terminology
- Benefits of animal assisted intervention
- Animals and professional practice
- Animal Assisted Intervention within scope of practice
- Safety and risk management
- Animal ethics
- Animal assessment
- Animal /personal awareness
- Loss of a therapy animal
- Ethical animal treatment
Course Assessments:
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Mid-term Exam
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15%
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Research Assignment
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30%
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Presentation Assignment
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25%
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Final Exam
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25%
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Participation
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5%
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Total
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100%
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Course Pass Requirements:
A minimum grade of D (50%) (1.00) is required to pass this course.
Students must maintain a cumulative grade of C (GPA - Grade Point Average of 2.00) in order to qualify to graduate.
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