This is your opportunity to specialize in a booming field within Psychology and take your knowledge to the next level”

Animal-Assisted Interventions have experienced a great rise in the last decade due to the human need to create a special bond with animals which has evinced their potential emotional healing effect. These Animal-Assisted Interventions are dynamic and participatory proposals whose purpose is to improve the quality of life of people from a biological, social and psychological perspective.

With this intensive program, Psychology professionals will be able to develop a stable bond with animals and a structured methodology of non-conventional animal-assisted interventions, adjusted to each user (patient or trainee) with clear and achievable objectives.

 
The specialization also addresses the set of techniques and exercises necessary to intervene as therapists at a psychomotor level, using horses as co-therapists to work on a physical, emotional, sensory, cognitive and social level.

At the same time, the training utilizes an alternative methodology for using birds in captivity to generate benefits both in humans and in the birds themselves, not without first understanding their characteristics as a species that mostly thrives in a natural environment.

Finally, the program offers specialized knowledge about non-conventional animals that regularly participate in assisted interventions, characteristics and recommendations in terms of their care, work methodologies with respect to both birds and users, pathologies for which these animals are suited and the basic parameters that ensure their well-being.

The development of new therapeutic methodologies to counteract the negative effects of stress generated by social, cultural and biological impacts, make assisted interventions a natural alternative.

A high-level program, especially designed to update student knowledge in a comfortable and effective way”

The Postgraduate diploma in Canine, Equine, Avian and Non-Conventional Animal-Assisted Interventions contains the most complete and updated academic program on the market. The most important features of the program include:

• Practical cases presented by experts in Animal-Assisted Therapies
• The graphic, schematic, and eminently practical contents with which they are created, provide scientific and practical information on the disciplines that are essential for professional practice
• Breakthroughs in Animal-Assisted Therapies 
• Practical exercises where self-assessment can be used to improve learning 
• Special emphasis on innovative methodologies in Animal-Assisted Therapies
• Theoretical lessons, questions to the expert, debate forums on controversial topics, and individual reflection assignments 
• Content that is accessible from any fixed or portable device with an Internet connection

This Postgraduate diploma is the opportunity you were waiting for to take your career to the next level and become a prestigious Psychologist”

The teaching staff is made up of professionals in the field who bring to this program the experience of their work, in addition to recognized specialists from prestigious reference societies and universities.

The multimedia content, developed with the latest educational technology, will provide the professional with situated and contextual learning, i.e., a simulated environment that will provide immersive training programmed to train in real situations.

This program is designed around Problem Based Learning, whereby the professional must try to solve the different professional practice situations that arise during the academic program. For this purpose, the professional will be assisted by an innovative, interactive video system created by renowned and experienced experts in Animal-Assisted Therapies. 

As this is a 100% online academic program, you will be able to balance your studies with your professional work"

You will have at your disposal the best didactic material, which will provide you with a contextual study to facilitate your learning"

The compendium of contents designed by TECH will be students’ main weapon to understand the fundamentals of Animal-Assisted Therapeutic Intervention from a psychology point of view. Thus, an in-depth historical review will allow students to learn the most relevant research that proves the efficacy of these therapies, their potential benefits and the areas where they have the greatest impact.  

The largest content bank in the sector, condensed into an academic program that lasts just a few months”

Module 1. Canine-Assisted Interventions

1.1. Canine Ethology 

1.1.1. Behavioral Genetics 
1.1.2. Behavioral Developmental Processes in Puppies 
1.1.3. Canine Communication   
1.1.4. Intraspecies and Interspecies Hierarchies 
1.1.5. Hormonal Influence on the Development of Canine Behaviors 
1.1.6. Play Behavior 

1.2. Canine Intelligence 

1.2.1. Understanding Human Language 
1.2.2. Problem Solving Skills 
1.2.3. Studies on the Most Intelligent Breeds 

1.3. Dog Characteristics for Assisted Interventions 

1.3.1. Physical Characteristics 
1.3.2. Behavioral Characteristics 
1.3.3. Selectively Bred or Pedigreed Dogs 
1.3.4. Dogs from Shelters or Pounds 

1.4. Canine Selection Methods for Assisted Interventions 

1.4.1. Campbell's Test 
1.4.2. Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) 
1.4.3. The Ecological Test “Ethotest” 
1.4.4. Other Protocols for Canine Selection 

1.5. Training Techniques 

1.5.1. Traditional Training 
1.5.2. Positive Training 
1.5.3. Shaping 
1.5.4. Luring 
1.5.5. Targeting 
1.5.6. Clicker Use 

1.6. Management Training Techniques 

1.6.1. Propaedeutics for Learning 
1.6.2. Attention to Calling 
1.6.3. Walking Side by Side 
1.6.4. Standing Orders 
1.6.5. Muzzle Use 

1.7. Training Techniques by Objectives 

1.7.1. Grasping, Bringing and Releasing Objects 
1.7.2. Going to a Place 
1.7.3. Barking on Command 
1.7.4. Behavior Imitation 

1.8. Canine Handling during Sessions 

1.8.1. Canine Handling and Activity Elements 
1.8.2. Controlled Approach with Users 
1.8.3. How to End a Session with the Dog 

1.9.  Veterinary Care 

1.9.1. Preventive Medicine 
1.9.2. Basic First Aid 
1.9.3. Genetic Problems of Common Intervention Breeds 
1.9.4. Nutrition and Diet 

1.10. Detecting Canine Behavior Problems 

1.10.1. Stress Factors 
1.10.2. Aggressiveness             
1.10.3. Fear, Anxiety and Phobia 
1.10.4. Impulsiveness 
1.10.5. Senility

Module 2. Equine-Assisted Interventions

2.1. Ethology 

2.1.1. History of Equine Ethology 
2.1.2. Theoretical Ethological Basis  
2.1.3. Equine Ethology 

2.2. Equine Behavior 

2.2.1. Horses in the Animal Kingdom 
2.2.2. Equine Breeds 
2.2.3. Equine Behavior  

2.3. Horses 

2.3.1. Horse Breeding 
2.3.2. Equine Characteristics  
2.3.3. Equine Education  

2.4. Types of Horses Used in Assisted Interventions 

2.4.1. Selecting Suitable Horses for Assisted Interventions  
2.4.2. Horse Characteristics for Assisted Interventions  
2.4.3. Horse Training for Assisted Interventions  

2.5. Horse Care 

2.5.1. Diet in Therapy Horses 
2.5.2. Care in Therapy Horses  
2.5.3. Education in Therapy Horses  

2.6. Horse Training  

2.6.1. Therapy Horse Training 
2.6.2. Treatment and Ground Training in Therapy Horses  
2.6.3. Treatment and Saddle Training in Therapy Horses  

2.7. Working Techniques in Horses  

2.7.1. Therapeutic Tasks and Activities  
2.7.2. Warm Ups and Walks 
2.7.3. Relaxation and Breaks  

2.8. Cotherapeutic Animals  

2.8.1. The Horse in Equine Therapy  
2.8.2. Benefits for the Horse in Equine Therapy  
2.8.3. Benefits for the Other Animals in Equine Therapy  

2.9. Horse Pathologies 

2.9.1. Types of Pathologies  
2.9.2. Selecting a Horse for each Type of Pathology 
2.9.3. Pathologies not Suitable for Equine Therapy  

2.10. Horse Equipment  

2.10.1. Equine Therapy: Cinchuelo and Stable Bridle 
2.10.2. Therapeutic Riding: Saddle and Working Bridle  
2.10.3. Complementary Equipment according to the Pathology

Module 3. Avian-Assisted Interventions

3.1. General Ethological Aspects of Birds for Assisted Interventions 

3.1.1. Falconiformes 
3.1.2. Strigiformes 
3.1.3.  Psittaciformes 
3.1.4. Other Species 

3.2. Evidence for Intelligence in Birds 

3.2.1. Visual and Hearing Acuity 
3.2.2. Spatial Localization 
3.2.3. Gregarious Behavior Synchronization 
3.2.4. Imitating Human Language 
3.2.5. Problem-Solving Skills 

3.3. History of Human Activities Conducted with Birds 

3.3.1. Falconry 
3.3.2. Colombiculture 
3.3.3. Avian-Assisted Interventions 

3.4. Avian Characteristics for Assisted Intervention 

3.4.1. Physical Characteristics 
3.4.2. Behavioral Characteristics 
3.4.3. Breeding Birds 
3.4.4. Birds in Recovery Centers 

3.5. Bird Management and Control 

3.5.1. Glove or Gauntlet 
3.5.2. Creance 
3.5.3. Jesses 
3.5.4. Straps 
3.5.5. Scales 
3.5.6. Hood 
3.5.7. Telemetry Equipment 

3.6. Handling Facilities 

3.6.1. Enclosures 
3.6.2. Environmental Enrichment 
3.6.3. Classrooms for Birds-Assisted Interventions 

3.7. Training Techniques 

3.7.1. Taming or Habituation 
3.7.2. Jumps to the Fist 
3.7.3. Flights with Belay 
3.7.4. Flights without Belay 

3.8. Daily Preparation Routines 

3.8.1. Diet Preparation 
3.8.2. Cleaning of Enclosures 
3.8.3. Physical Condition and Health Evaluation 
3.8.4. Landscaping 
3.8.5. Training 
3.8.6. Daily Activity Record 

3.9. Veterinary Care 

3.9.1. Preventive Medicine 
3.9.2. Most Common Diseases 
3.9.3. Plumage Maintenance 

3.10. Legal Requirements for Keeping Wild Birds 

3.10.1. Current Legislation on Keeping Wild Birds 
3.10.2. Documentation Requirements 
3.10.3.  Associations Regulating or Reporting on the Use of Wild Birds 

Module 4. Non-Conventional Animal-Assisted Interventions

4.1. Unconventional Animals 

4.1.1. Unconventional Animals 
4.1.2. Types of Unconventional Animals 

4.1.2.1. Marine Mammals 
4.1.2.2. Farm Animals 
4.1.2.3. Others 

4.1.3. Intervention Contexts and Scope 

4.1.3.1. Physical and Neuronal 
4.1.3.2. Psychomotor 
4.1.3.3. Emotional 
4.1.3.4. Cognitive 

4.2. Unconventional Animals: Marine Mammals 

4.2.1. Organization and Ethology 

4.2.1.1. Cetaceans (Dolphins) 
4.2.1.2. Pinnipeds (Sea Lions and Seals) 

4.2.2. Dolphin Therapy (DAT) and Otarian-Assisted Therapy (OAT) 

4.3. Unconventional Animals: Farm Animals 

4.3.1. Organization and Ethology 

4.3.1.1. Bovine: Cattle and Sheep 
4.3.1.2. Birds: Hens and Poultry 
4.3.1.3. Rodents and Rabbits 

4.3.2. Farm Schools and Therapeutic Environments 

4.4. Parameters for Human-Animal Interaction in Non-Conventional Animal-Assisted Interventions 

4.4.1. Animal Requirements: Health Status and Zoonosis 
4.4.2. Education and Preparation 

4.4.2.1. Professionals and Therapists 
4.4.2.2. Trainers 
4.4.2.3. Users 
4.4.2.4. Environment and Tools 

4.4.3.    Scope and Limitations 

4.5. Non-Conventional Animal Training for Assisted Interventions 

4.5.1. Habitat Considerations vs. Natural Environment 
4.5.2. Veterinary Behavior and Therapeutic Uses 
4.5.3. Training Techniques 

4.5.3.1. Positive Reinforcement (Primary and Secondary Reinforcement) 
4.5.3.2. Timing and Bridging 
4.5.3.3. Least Reinforcing Scenario (LRS) 
4.5.3.4. Time Out 
4.5.3.5. Systematic Desensitization 

4.6. Theories on the Effectiveness of Non-Conventional Animal-Assisted Interventions 

4.6.1. Mechanisms of action 

4.6.1.1. Stress Buffering Value 
4.6.1.2. Wampold's Contextual Model 

4.6.2. Mechanisms of Change in Dolphin Therapy 

4.6.2.1. Cavitational Hypothesis 
4.6.2.2. Resonance Hypothesis 

4.6.3. Positive Healing Bond Hypothesis 

4.7. Non-Conventional Animal-Assisted Interventions for Physical and Neurological Disabilities 

4.7.1. Dolphin Therapy and Otarid-Assisted Therapy (OAT) in People with Brain Damage 
4.7.2. Dolphin Therapy and OAT in Children and Adults with Autism Spectrum Diagnosis 
4.7.3. Farm Animals in Older Adults Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease 

4.8. Non-Conventional Animal-Assisted Interventions in Emotional and Psychological Disturbances 

4.8.1. Therapeutic Farm in People Diagnosed with Mental Illness 
4.8.2. Impact of Otolaryngeal-Assisted Therapy on Caregiver Overload 
4.8.3. Dolphin Therapy in People with Mood and Affect Disorders 

4.9. Ethical Considerations and Animal Well-Being Indicators 

4.9.1. Perspectives in Europe and Spain 
4.9.2. Measurement Tools and Parameters 
4.9.3. Environmental Enrichment 

4.9.3.1. Human-Animal Interaction as an Enrichment Tool 
4.9.3.2. Visitor Effect Incidence 

4.10. Current Status and Future Recommendations in Non-Conventional Animal-Assisted Interventions 

4.10.1. The Importance of the Work Done by Keepers and Trainers with Zoo Animals in Assisted Interventions 
4.10.2. Work Parameters in Field Practice: Trials and Single Cases 
4.10.3. Reflections on the Impact of Interventions on the Well-Being of Unconventional Animals

A unique, key and decisive training experience to boost your professional development”