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

In recent years, Animal-Assisted Therapies and Interventions have experienced a great surge due to their unique ability to help people at risk of social exclusion, with functional diversity, psychological, emotional or psychiatric problems, as well as learning difficulties, among others. Therefore, it is vital for Psychologists to have a thorough understanding of how these therapies work, with the aim of promoting the well being of both the people and the animals involved. Aware of this, TECH team of professionals has designed this program to teach Psychologist the correct way to implement these types of therapies and how to obtain excellent results. Likewise, this curriculum will be the starting point for student professional growth, as it will allow them to position themselves in the field as top professionals.

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. The professional master’s degree in Animal-Assisted Therapies addresses tools and resources different from the traditional therapeutic and educational procedures used on people with functional diversities, making them an alternative for professionals in the area when building new and diversified methodologies.

The academic content for this professional master’s degree provides technical and scientific evidence for the use of various species, both domestic and in captivity, to engage in animal-assisted Interventions in different social groups, people with intellectual, physical, sensitive and psychic disabilities, always respecting and understanding the well-being of the animals involved in this type of practice.

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. Likewise, and addressing the eminently therapeutic perspective, the program seeks to instruct psychologists in the methods that make it possible for patients to be nourished by the role played by animals in these interventions.

The compendium of contents designed by TECH will be the student's main weapon to understand the fundamentals of Animal-Assisted Interventions. Thus, an in depth review will allow students to learn about the most relevant research that proves the efficacy of these therapies, their potential benefits and the areas where they have the greatest impact.

This professional master’s degree is the best investment you can make in the selection of a refresher program to update your knowledge of Animal-Assisted Therapies” 

This professional master’s degree in Animal-Assisted Therapies contains the most complete and up to date educational program on the market. Its most notable features are:

• 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 the self assessment process 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 program is a great academic opportunity in the field of Animal-Assisted Therapies"

The program’s teaching staff includes professionals from the sector who contribute their work experience to this training program, as well as renowned specialists from leading societies and prestigious universities.

Its multimedia content, developed with the latest educational technology, will provide the professional with situated and contextual learning, i.e., a simulated environment that will deliver an immersive learning experience, 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.  

With this professional master’s degree, you will become a prestigious psychologist and you will succeed in professional practice"

A unique specialization program that will allow you to acquire advanced training in this field"

The main objective of this educational program is to help psychologists understand the importance and the excellent results that Animal-Assisted Therapies have for people with psychological problems. Thus, after completing this program, professionals will be fully capable of designing and implementing this type of interventions, offering optimal conditions for both the animals and the users participating in the therapy. This will not only increase students' professional competencies, but will also make them much better prepared to work as psychologists in various fields.

You will have at your disposal numerous case studies that will teach you how to act in real situations”

General Objectives

• Analyze the holistic change people undergo through Animal-Assisted Therapies (AAT)
• Determine the need for a multidisciplinary team in Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI)
• Develop the legal framework to create an AAI entity
• Demonstrate through scientific theories and research how some animals have the phylogenetic and ontogenetic capacity to generate affiliative behaviors in humans until they develop a stable bond
• Analyze the importance given to the life of the species they work with from the conception of the well-being generated and the responsible ethics that commits them
• Identify the importance of positive interaction between animals and people, recognizing the role that each one plays and the balanced formation of the animal-guide binomial
• Justify the decision to choose a particular species in an assisted intervention program as opposed to other types of methods that do not include animals
• Develop learning processes
• Examine the theoretical and practical bases of learning
• Review the main mechanisms involved in a change in learning
• Present the current status and future outlook of learning studies
• Differentiate assisted interventions from other non-clinical methods
• Design interventions
• Identify the needs of every user
• Develop skills as therapists
• Analyze the natural behaviors displayed by the canine species in order to convert them into capacities and potentialities in the use of assisted interventions
• Make an objective assessment of the characteristics and minimum requirements that assisted intervention dogs must have in terms of its behavioral development
• Generate skills and management tools in guide animal through the understanding of canine learning to facilitate the development of a working session
• Identify the minimum care dogs require and the problems that may arise in a working session
• Develop specialized knowledge of horse ethology
• Choose the right horse for the interventions
• Compile techniques to work with horses
• Determine the importance of horse care
• Analyze the natural behaviors of the different avian species in order to convert them into capacities and potentialities in the use of assisted interventions
• Make an objective assessment of the characteristics and minimum requirements that assisted intervention dogs must have in terms of its behavioral development
• Generate skills and management tools in guide animal through the understanding of avian learning to facilitate the development of a working session
• Identify the minimum care birds require and the problems that may arise in a working session
• Determine which are the unconventional animals in assisted interventions
• Analyze their basic behavior and biology
• Develop the most recommended training and work techniques
• Evaluate the most notable problems for their involvement
• Identify the different types of disabilities
• Define which animal is suitable for each intervention
• Specify the different realities susceptible to animal-assisted intervention
• Analyze the importance humans place on animals today
• Establish the benefits of AAI
• Substantiate animal-assisted intervention methodologies in professional care groups
• Demonstrate knowledge of the different and practical applications of animal-assisted interventions
• Analyze the different approaches and intervention proposals made at each type of center
• Identify types of centers according to the needs and demands of each user 

Specific Objectives

Module 1. Animal-Assisted Therapies

• Determine the differences between AAI, AAA, and PAR
• Analyze the past of Animal-Assisted Therapies to develop future research
• Establish animal-assisted coaching and psychotherapy as an important part of Animal-Assisted Therapies
• Examine relevant legislation to establish an AAI entity
• Learn how to prevent and respond to accidents

Module 2. Fundamentals of Anthrozoology

• Compile the different theories of how, when and why some animals were domesticated
• Demonstrate through evidence-based science how the cognitive abilities of certain animals are generated
• Determine the importance of providing quality of life and well being to the animals involved
• Evaluate the different ideological positions on the ethical treatment of animals, their rights and the duties we have towards them
• Establish the impact that humans have when manipulating wild species and the resulting degradation of their natural environments
• Examine the role that companion animals and, in particular, assisted intervention animals can play in different population groups
• Address the emotional aspects of the death of a companion animal for the family environment

Module 3. Psychology of Learning

• Develop the main paradigms in learning processes
• Determine behavior as the main axis of learning
• Analyze the concepts of reinforcement and punishment
• Examine the main reinforcement programs
• Understand the importance of forgetting as a learning process
• Explore the neurobiological basis of learning
• Distinguish the importance of cognition in the learning process

Module 4. Methodology in Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI)

• Establish the steps to follow for a successful Animal-Assisted Intervention
• Determine the different techniques and strategies to be used
• Establish specific objectives for each user
• Analyze the different types of horse-assisted interventions
• Design specific activities for each user
• Analyze the different areas to be worked on: psychological, cognitive and social
• Evaluate the different interventions according to the animal chosen

Module 5. Canine-Assisted Interventions

• Examine the development of the natural behaviors of dogs, both instinctive and acquired, and the influence of human behavior in each of them
• Conduct a detailed evaluation of the positive behaviors in the dog to be incorporated into an Assisted Intervention Program, as well as the behaviors that could generate problems in the learning process
• Adequately interpret the results of behavioral selection tests performed on the dogs to be included in the Assisted Intervention Program
• Generate a training protocol according to the qualities of the dog and the work objectives in each session
• Propose methodological alternatives in the intervention sessions based on the objectives previously set for each user
• Routinely assess the health status of intervention dogs, identifying red flags or signs of discomfort for timely veterinary action and care
• Identify behavioral problems that develop in intervention dogs before, during, and after sessions with users

Module 6. Equine-Assisted Interventions

• Analyze the horse's behavior
• Determine the role of the horse in therapy
• Examine the profile of horses suitable for therapy
• Develop an appropriate method of horse care
• Compile the necessary material for each intervention
• Specify the activities and techniques for the intervention
• Analyze the different pathologies and the choice of horse according to patient characteristics

Module 7. Avian-Assisted Interventions

• Identify the physical and behavioral aspects within the nature of the different species of birds used in Assisted Interventions
• Examine the uses given to birds throughout history
• Establish the main characteristics that a bird must have in order to be of service in interventions
• Identify the different management tools for training and activities with intervention birds
• Evaluate the optimal adaptation of bird handling facilities to ensure the maximum possible well-being
• Develop the preparation methodology for a bird while observing the objectives sought in Assisted Intervention sessions
• Determine the health status of intervention birds, identifying red flags or signs of discomfort for timely veterinary action and care
• Identify behavioral problems that develop in intervention birds before, during, and after sessions with users

Module 8. Non-Conventional Animal-Assisted Interventions

• Determine the intervention scenarios with unconventional animals
• Delimit the field of intervention for each species of animal
• Explore relevant training strategies
• Evaluate the mechanisms of such interventions
• Promote awareness of the responsible use of these animals in AAIs 
• Educate on the importance of ensuring animal well-being
• Propose future perspectives in the field of intervention and animal well-being

Module 9. Functional Diversities and Benefits of Animal-Assisted Interventions

• Develop specific knowledge of different types of disabilities
• Identify the most appropriate AAI for each type of disability
• Specify the objectives of the intervention
• Generate assessment recording mechanisms that enable objective assessments
• Establish the professional skills required in Animal-Assisted Intervention
• Develop research activities in AAI and activities aimed at different demographics and age groups
• Define and manage Animal-Assisted Intervention programs
• Evaluate the precautions and contraindications surrounding AAI

Module 10. Application Areas in Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI)

• Explore different techniques within the specific fields of action
• Examine the types of Animal-Assisted Interventions from different interdisciplinary approaches
• Evaluate therapeutic intervention programs with animals according to the type of center
• Propose therapeutic approaches appropriate to each user's profile
• Identify the differences between AAI within the variety of application areas
• Explore and design activity programs according to the intervention space and objectives
• Develop specialized knowledge about the different theoretical frameworks in the fields of action and professional application of AAI

Make the most of the opportunity and take the step to get up to date on the latest developments in Animal-Assisted Therapies"