Don't miss this great opportunity and update your knowledge on everything related to Animal-Assisted Interventions and their use in occupational therapy”

Today, the multiple physical, social and mental benefits of interacting with animals in controlled environments are indisputable. In fact, such benefits were already present in therapeutic contexts long before documented scientific evidence was made widely available. 

This academic program will focus on gathering and understanding the different lines of intervention used in the area of Animal-Assisted Therapies and Interventions. To this end, this program offers specialized knowledge to adequately form a bond with animals, specifically with dogs, which often trained for these purposes, while respecting their nature and understanding their way of learning.

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

At the same time, this 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. 

All of which leads to veterinary professionals obtaining better results through the work and intervention programs they developed.

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

The Postgraduate diploma in Canine, Equine, Avian and Non-Conventional Animal-Assisted Interventions contains the most complete and up-to-date educational 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

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

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 specialist must try to solve the different professional practice situations that arise during the academic year. For this purpose, the professional will be assisted by an innovative, interactive video system created by renowned and extensively experienced experts in Animal-Assisted Therapies. 

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

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

The syllabus and contents for this academic program have been designed by a group of professional experts in the field of Animal-Assisted Therapies, with extensive experience and recognized prestige in the profession, backed by the volume of cases they have reviewed, studied and diagnosed, and who possess extensive knowledge of new technologies applied to veterinary medicine. This assures students that, upon completing the program, they will be fully qualified to work in Animal-Assisted Interventions from a multidisciplinary approach that favors both humans and animals.  

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 Intervention

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 Intervention
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. Spacial 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

4.2.2. Organization and Ethology

 4.2.2.1. Cetaceans (Dolphins)
 4.2.2.2. Pinnipeds (Sea Lions and Seals)

4.2.3. 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”