Pet therapy is a popular and sought-after method for improving physical and psychological wellbeing. This animal therapy course is ideal for psychologists, counsellors, social workers or anyone wanting to work with animals for therapeutic purposes.
The Certificate of Pet Therapy is a professional development course that will teach you the benefits of animal therapy and how to work with animals to enhance psychological and emotional wellbeing in clients.
In this animal therapy course, you’ll learn how to work with animals appropriately in a therapeutic situation. You’ll learn how to work with people with a disability, children and older people and gain practical knowledge to establish your own pet therapy service.
On completion of this course, you will understand how animals and pets can be incorporated into therapy to improve physical and psychological health.
Course Structure
Unit - Pet Therapy
Unit 1 – Scope and Nature of Pet Therapy
- Animal and human relationships
- Animal assisted therapy
- Animal assisted activities
- Animals used in pet therapy
- Where can pet therapy be carried out
- Who will benefit from pet therapy
- Scientific research supporting pet therapy
- Tension and stress
- Depression and anxiety
- Touch, affection and companionship
- Immune system response and pain control
- Cancer patients
- Heart disease
- Healthier lifestyle
- Structure and routine
- Benefits to older adults
- Pet therapy and children
- Negative effects of pet therapy
- Falls and tripping
- Negative impact on pets
- Owner grief
- Human allergies and general health
- Phobias
- Cultural differences
Unit 2 – Mental Health and Physical Assistance
- Pet therapy research and mental health conditions
- Agitation and cognitive impairments
- Depression
- Feline therapy
- Schizophrenia
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Stress
- Human-animal interactions
- Bonding
- Transport and carriage
- Working animals
Unit 3 – Working With Animals
- Human safety
- Client possessive behaviour and bonding
- Animal health and welfare
- Animal behaviour
- Resources
- Legalities
- Species of animal
- Large animals
- Medium animals (dogs and cats)
- Small animals
- Suitability to the client
- Therapy settings
- Preparing clients/animals for a session
Unit 4 – Applications for People With Mental Health Conditions
- Mental health conditions
- Mood disorders
- Anxiety
- Social phobia
- Depression
- Developmental disorders
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Autism assistance dogs
- The stress response
- Panic attacks
- Other animal contributions to mental wellbeing
- Pleasure motivation
- Outdoor exercise
Unit 5 – Applications for People With Disabilities
- Pet therapy programmes for people with a disability
- Service assistance animals
- Guide dogs
- Hearing dogs
- Seizure alert dogs
- Diabetic alert dogs
- Allergy detection dogs
- Mobility assistance dogs
- Therapy animals
- Physiotherapy assistance dog
- Pet therapy dogs
Unit 6 – Applications for Children
- Pet therapy and children
- Difficulties of pet therapy with children
- The benefits of pet therapy for children
- Developing empathy
- Children with mental health conditions
- Pet therapy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Pet therapy and autism spectrum disorder
Unit 7 – Applications for Older People
- Pet therapy for the elderly
- Grief and loss
- Grief and pet therapy
- Physical activity
- Physical activity and pet therapy
- Stress, blood pressure and anxiety
- Stress, blood pressure, anxiety, and pet therapy
- Cardiovascular disease
- Cardiovascular disease and pet therapy
- When the owner cannot care for the animal
Unit 8 – Establishing a Pet Therapy Service
- Pet therapy as business
- Planning pet therapy services
- Which animal is suitable
- Client group
- Timeline
- Marketing your services
- Data protection and privacy
- Veterinarians
- Other services
- Free or paid-for services
- Insurance
- Business plan
- Buying an existing business
- Animal welfare considerations
- General guidelines for animal health and welfare
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
I enjoyed my experience with Australian Online Courses. The information and the assignments were interesting and definitely got me thinking. The tutors were quick to respond to my emails and were very helpful.
Shannon | Gaborone, Botswana | Certificate of Pet Therapy
I loved the course content. It was extremely relevant to my future career goals. Thank you.
R. Twig, Bokarina, QLD | Certificate of Pet Therapy
The content was informative, the assessment was thorough, the access to tutors was available and response was appropriate. All in all I will happily use this service again.
T. Durham, Eastern Heights, QLD | Certificate of Pet Therapy
Through this course, I learned in detail about the effectiveness of pet therapy. I also learned what is necessary to start this business, so I hope to use this knowledge when I start my own business in the future.
Nozomi | TAS | Certificate of Pet Therapy
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Enrol Now
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and Direct Deposit.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional development for those:
- Working with animals in hospitals
- Working with animals in aged-care sector
- Working in health/community services
- Interested in starting a pet therapy business
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