PSY450 Animal Assisted Therapy (3 cr.)

This course explores animal assisted therapy as a psychological approach to improve the physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning of an individual using the planned inclusion of an animal in a treatment plan.  This course is a combination of classroom learning and hands on activities with animals to explore trends in assisted therapy for children, adolescents, individuals, families, couples and groups.  Applications of animal assisted therapy to mental health issues such as depression, grief and loss, trauma, addictions, anger management, divorce, and anxiety are examined.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Identify the dynamics of animal assisted therapy.
2. Apply various therapy modalities used in animal assisted therapy.
3. Explain the rationale behind the inclusion of animals in treatment plans.
4. Understand how to incorporate animal assisted therapy into current therapeutic practices.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of animal assisted therapy ethical principles and best practices.