Certification

1. Examine and discuss the introduction to AAC history and theory.
2. Distinguish between animal-assisted activities and AAC.
3. Define and explain the nature and purpose of AAC and the human-animal bond.
4. Identify evidence-based research in AAC.
5. Summarize ethical, legal, and professional issues in AAC.
6. Evaluate elements of animal welfare and how they apply to AAC.
7. Describe animal welfare considerations presented in the movie, Temple Grandin, and how they apply to AAC.
8. Differentiate information about ensuring safety in AAC.
9. Demonstrate how to teach others to greet your animal partner in AAC.
10. Explore values about dominance theory as it relates to AAC.
11. Recognize canine stress signals and positive canine signals in pictures and videos.
12. Evaluate reasons for identifying and responding to animal communication in AAC sessions.
13. Assess knowledge of AAC competencies that can be integrated into AAC sessions.
14. Demonstrate positive training skills for animal partners who will participate in AAC.
15. Synthesize learning in the Intro to AAC training through an expressive modality.

Week 1 - What is AAC?

• 6:30-7:30p - Human-animal bond, AAIs - pathways to well-being, scope of helping dogs
• 7:30-8:30p - AAC research, AAC vs volunteer therapy animal training, AAC competencies, integrity of AAC field

Week 2 - Animal Welfare & Ensuring Safety in AAC

• 6:30-7:30p - Five freedoms for animals, ensuring safety in AAC
• 7:30-8:30p - Human-animal miscommunication, facilitating client-animal greetings

Week 3 - Animal Communication

• 6:30-7:30p - Canine stress/calming signals, positive signals, responding to animal stress signals
• 7:30-8:30p - Animal communication practice

Week 4 - Positive Training & Next Steps

• 6:30-7:30p - Positive training
• 7:30-8:30p - Next steps in AAC certification

1. Assess practitioner and animal partner readiness and fit for AAC.
2. Guide client in how to greet animal partner in a way that works for animal.
3. Demonstrate basic handling skills, including sit, stay, and come when called during the AAC team evaluation with animal partner.
4. Review five points of informed consent for AAC.
5. Facilitate structured animal bonding time for AAC sessions.
6. Teach client to give a treat in a safe way to animal partner.
7. Instruct client on how to give a cue to animal partner to facilitate client-animal relationship in AAC sessions.
8. Demonstrate ability to identify stress signals in animal partner for a clinical/play therapy setting.
9. Illustrate knowledge of positive animal indicators that show enjoyment in an AAC context.
10. Recognize and process animal partner responses to loud noises and awkward petting in AAC settings.
11. Demonstrate ACT limit setting model with an animal partner.
12. Guide animal partner in AAC setting with a nonreactive dog.
13. Integrate learning of AAC interventions by demonstrating at least two interventions with animal partner and a peer.
14. Consult with animal trainer on behaviors needed for AAC sessions.
15. Integrate learning from The Other the End of the Leash book.

Days 1 & 2

• 9-10:30a - Human & animal introductions
• 10:30a-12p - Informed consent & limit setting
• 1-2:30p - AAC Team Evaluation practice w/dog trainer
• 2:30-4p - Takeaways & Barking Lot

Days 3 & 4

• 9-10:30a - Reading review
• 10:30a-12p - AAC interventions practice
• 1-2:30p - AAC Team Evaluation practice
• 2:30-4p - Takeaways & Barking Lot

1. Create two AAC interventions that integrate an animal partner into counseling and play therapy.
2. Develop a treatment plan that links AAC interventions to therapeutic goals.
3. Apply culturally-responsive AAC skills to therapeutic work with clients.
4. Demonstrate ability to identify stress signals in animal partner and ensure animal safety in a counseling and play therapy context.
5. Display effective use of AAC basic skills in a clinical context with clients.
6. Demonstrate appropriate level of self-assurance and trust in own ability and animal’s ability in AAC context.
7. Facilitate client-animal relationship so that a working alliance is developed.
8. Demonstrate a clear understanding of therapeutic intention using theory and AAC interventions to work toward clinical goals.
9. Apply and adhere to ethical and legal standards in AAC.
10. Identify practitioner purpose and alternate responses by completing an AAC transcript project.
11. Integrate knowledge of animal communication, risk management, and ethics in AAC.
12. Apply animal-assisted interventions with a counseling theory in an AAC context.
13. Observe and evaluate AAC practices.
14. Explore foundational concepts of AAC with different species.
15. Develop a sensitivity to cultural differences and populations with special needs in the AAC field. 
16. Appraise steps of crisis and disaster response counseling with animal partner.
17. Explore steps to establishing a school-based program for AAC services. 
18. Examine international considerations and applications of AAC.

Days 1 & 2

• 9-10:30a - AAC Session 1
• 10:30a-12p - AAC Session 2
• 12-1:30p - Professional AAC team photos
• 1-2:30p - AAC Skills Checklist feedback
• 2:30-4p - Review AAC recordings

Days 3 & 4

• 9-10:30a - AAC Session 3
• 10:30a-12p - AAC Session 4
• 1-2:30p - AAC Skills Checklist feedback
• 2:30-3:30p - AAC intervention sharing
• 3:30-4p - AAC Academy Graduation!