I just completed the free introduction to the AAT-1 and I am super excited to add this to my credentials. My goal is to work with military veterans to help partner them with medical service dogs.
This experiential weekend exceeded my expectations. The instructors were well prepared and presented material and real-time experiences that will greatly enhance my ability to apply AAT in my practice. The exercises and activities served not only to improve our skills and knowledge, but also offered opportunities to experience AAT as our clients will and created a deep bond among the group. The beautiful setting at the refuge offered an incredible variety of animals to help us begin identifying the many ways any animal can help serve the needs of our diverse client populations. With the tremendous amount of information provided, I feel competent to begin the process of training my animals and incorporating them into practice.
This was a great course which taught me alot regarding the Human Animal Bond and especially how this bond transcends the obvious benefits animals bring. This bond is an absolute asset to the arsenal of any Mental Health Professional and allows the clients past positive experiences with animals including hardwired desire to connect with nature to improve the therapeutic alliance as well as open up new vistas in treatment.