Teams new to AAT are required to take a four-week
(1 hour per week) course or intensive one-day seminar to familiarize
themselves with the Connecting Canines program and AAT best practices.
Experienced teams crossing over from other AAT organizations may elect
to take a 2 hour orientation instead of the full course. All courses are
for handlers with their dogs. We're sorry, but we do not offer
home-study courses. We believe that there is no substitute for hands-on
training with your dog.
- Courses are designed and taught by trained canine behaviorists, experienced AAT providers, and professional educators.
- Certified instructors provide extensive
training in animal behavior, safe and humane handling, effective
communication, issues related to confidentiality, and safe practices for
interacting with medically fragile and extremely ill individuals. Class
participants are educated in all aspects of therapy dog activities and
best practices, preparing them to work in a variety of settings.
- Courses focus on understanding canine
behaviors that influence canine-human connections with the goal of
improving the efficacy of therapy animal visits.
- Handlers are taught the most current
humane handling techniques, including the use of appropriate harnesses,
collars, and leashes.
- We practice skills building through mentorship and individual consultation with experienced handlers.
- We emphasize partner awareness and
self-care so that our teams remain not only safe but energized,
motivated, and effective in their work.
If you have looked at the testing requirements
and are concerned that your dog does not currently have the skills to
pass, we urge you take a course anyway! Skills are learned behaviors,
and we can help you teach your dog what she needs to know to be a
successful therapy dog. Please contact us with any questions about your dog's readiness for Connecting Canines' training or testing.
