How to Be Animal-Assisted Therapy Specialist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Sep 25, 2023 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a therapeutic approach that involves the use of animals to improve physical, social, emotional and cognitive functioning in people. It has been shown to be an effective way to reduce stress, improve self-esteem, provide comfort, and create a positive environment. This in turn can lead to improved physical and mental health, increased compliance with medical regimens, and enhanced emotional well-being.

AAT specialists are certified professionals who understand the complexities of this type of therapy and can coordinate the right animal-assisted interventions for their clients. They also possess the necessary skills and knowledge to ensure that the animal's welfare is protected and that the therapy sessions are conducted in a safe and appropriate manner. With the help of an AAT specialist, clients can experience the many benefits that AAT has to offer.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. To become an Animal-Assisted Therapy Specialist, you must first earn a Bachelor's degree. Animal-Assisted Therapy Specialists typically have a degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or a related field.
Participate in Animal-Assisted Therapy. Participating in animal-assisted therapy will give you a better understanding of the field and the therapeutic process. You should look for volunteer opportunities or internships that involve working with animals and people.
Obtain Certification. Once you have obtained your degree and have participated in animal-assisted therapy, you should seek certification from an accredited organization. The National Association of Animal Assisted Therapy (NAAAT) is one organization that offers certification for professionals in the field.
Continue Your Education. Animal-Assisted Therapy Specialists must stay up to date on the latest research and techniques in the field. Continuing your education is essential to staying on top of trends and new developments in the field.
Join Professional Organizations. Joining professional organizations related to animal-assisted therapy can help you stay connected with other professionals in the field. You can also learn about new opportunities, such as conferences or workshops, that can help you advance your career.

Animal-Assisted Therapy Specialists must stay informed and capable on a wide range of topics to ensure the safety and well-being of both the animals and the people they work with. Therefore, they need to regularly take part in professional development activities such as attending seminars, workshops, and conferences to stay up to date on the latest research, trends, and best practices. They also need to stay informed about advancements in the areas of animal behavior, animal welfare, and veterinary medicine.

Animal-Assisted Therapy Specialists must stay familiar with the laws and regulations that govern the field. Finally, they need to continually assess their own knowledge and skills, and develop plans for ongoing training and continuing education. By engaging in these activities, Animal-Assisted Therapy Specialists can ensure that they are providing the best possible care for their patients.

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Job Description

Veterinary Technician: Veterinary technicians provide medical care for animals, including taking and recording vital signs, administering medications, and providing routine care.
Animal Behaviorist: Animal behaviorists specialize in understanding the behavior of animals and finding ways to modify it. They use their knowledge to help train pets, work with wild animals, or create animal enrichment programs.
Animal-Assisted Therapy Specialist: Animal-assisted therapy specialists use the therapeutic bond between humans and animals to help people with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. They work with certified therapy animals to provide comfort and companionship to patients.
Animal Shelter Worker: Animal shelter workers care for homeless and abandoned animals. They may provide medical care, socialize animals, or find permanent homes for them.
Zoo Keeper: Zoo keepers care for animals in zoos and aquariums. They feed and monitor the health of animals, as well as clean their enclosures and educate visitors about the animals.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of animal behavior and psychology
Understanding of human behavior and psychology
Experience working with animals
Ability to read and interpret body language
Knowledge of animal-assisted therapy techniques
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to create a safe and comfortable environment for patients
Patience and understanding
Ability to create tailored activities and exercises to meet the individual needs of patients
Knowledge of safety protocols when working with animals
Knowledge of animal care and husbandry
Ability to manage difficult situations effectively
Knowledge of relevant laws and regulations related to animal-assisted therapy
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Organization skills and attention to detail

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has been used to help people with physical, mental, and emotional issues. The benefits of AAT are widely accepted, as it has been proven to help reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and improve overall wellbeing. To be an effective AAT specialist, one must possess a number of important skills.

Most notably, one needs to have the ability to empathize with the client and the animal, and the ability to observe and assess the responses of both parties. Communication skills are also critical in order to explain the process of AAT and how it works to the client. the specialist must be knowledgeable about the animals behavior, body language and how it responds to various stimuli.

Finally, the specialist needs to have a strong understanding of safety protocols and know how to handle a variety of challenging situations that may arise. All of these skills are essential for a successful AAT experience, which can lead to a better quality of life for both the client and their animal companion.

Music Therapy Assistant, Radiologic Therapy Technician, and Massage Therapy Technician are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What inspired you to pursue a career in animal-assisted therapy?
What experience do you have working with animals?
How do you think animal-assisted therapy can benefit clients?
How do you assess the animals suitability for a therapy program?
Describe your approach to keeping clients and animals safe during sessions.
What strategies do you use to ensure that the animal is comfortable in their environment?
How do you handle clients who struggle to connect with the animal?
What techniques do you use to monitor the animals emotional state during sessions?
Describe a successful animal-assisted therapy session you have facilitated.
How do you ensure that you are providing ethical animal care?

Common Tools in Industry

Canine Assisted Therapy. Canine assisted therapy is a type of therapy that uses specially trained dogs to help people with physical, emotional, and mental illness. (eg: Animal Assisted Therapy Specialist helps children with autism learn social and communication skills by working with a trained therapy dog).
Equine Assisted Therapy. Equine assisted therapy is a form of therapy that uses horses to assist people in overcoming physical, emotional and mental difficulties. (eg: An Animal Assisted Therapy Specialist can use horses to teach people with anxiety how to relax in difficult situations).
Animal-Assisted Activity. Animal-assisted activities are activities that involve the supervised interaction between animals and people. (eg: An Animal Assisted Therapy Specialist can help elderly people in a retirement home interact with animals in a supervised setting).
Pet-Facilitated Therapy. Pet-facilitated therapy is a form of therapy that uses pets to help people cope with physical, emotional and mental illness. (eg: An Animal Assisted Therapy Specialist can use cats or dogs to help people with depression manage their symptoms).
Animal-Assisted Crisis Response. Animal-assisted crisis response is the use of specially trained animals to provide comfort and support during times of crisis or disaster. (eg: An Animal Assisted Therapy Specialist can provide assistance in disaster relief by bringing specially trained therapy dogs to the scene).

Professional Organizations to Know

Delta Society
Pet Partners
The Association of Professional Dog Trainers
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
International Association of Animal Therapists
American Hippotherapy Association
International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations
International Association of Canine Professionals
National Association of Professional Pet Sitters

We also have Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Adaptive Physical Therapy Specialist, and Home Health Therapy Aide jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Animal-Assisted Activities. Activities that involve animals and people working together to promote health and well-being in a variety of settings.
Animal-Assisted Therapy. A type of therapy that involves the use of animals to help people with physical, mental, and emotional difficulties.
Human-Animal Bond. The relationship between humans and animals, which has been shown to have many positive benefits.
Humane Education. Teaching about animal care and well-being, as well as empathy, respect, and responsibility for all living things.
Canine-Assisted Therapy. A type of therapy that utilizes dogs to help people with a variety of physical and emotional issues.
Equine-Assisted Therapy. A type of therapy that uses horses to help people with physical, emotional, and social issues.
AAT Certification. Certification that is available to Animal-Assisted Therapy specialists, indicating they have met certain standards of practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Animal-Assisted Therapy?

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a type of therapy that uses animals, such as dogs, cats, horses, and birds, to promote physical and mental health in people.

What are the benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy?

Animal-Assisted Therapy has been found to have a variety of benefits, including reducing stress, improving social functioning, and increasing motivation for activities.

How does one become an Animal-Assisted Therapy Specialist?

To become an Animal-Assisted Therapy Specialist, one must first complete a specialized certification program. This typically involves completing courses on animal behavior and welfare, as well as completing supervised clinical placements.

What is the job outlook for Animal-Assisted Therapy Specialists?

The job outlook for Animal-Assisted Therapy Specialists is very positive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of animal care and service workers is projected to grow 19% from 2019 to 2029.