Next Cohort: April 2027

Lead safe, ethical, evidence-informed animal-assisted practice in your own professional setting.

•    Accredited Level 5 Diploma
•    16 months, eight modules, 250 hours of guided learning
•    Online learning, live workshops and one-to-one tutorials
•    Two practical days at an Elysian site, or online practical sessions for distance learners
•    Portfolio assessment with no exams

For professionals who already work with clients in education, health, social care or therapy, this diploma shows you how to bring animals into your work safely, ethically and with evidence behind every decision. You work with your own clients and animals throughout, so the course fits around your role.

What you will be able to do

You will learn to assess clients, animals and environments, match the right animal to each client, and design, lead and evaluate your own interventions. Animal welfare comes first: you will read consent and stress signals and know when to stop a session. 

You will also write the risk assessments, plans and contracts that a professional service needs, and work within ethical, safeguarding and trauma-informed frameworks.

What you will leave with

You will leave with a Level 5 Diploma and a professional portfolio of three case studies, intervention plans, risk assessments, contracts and reflective journals to show employers, commissioners and clients.

Who it is for

The diploma suits teachers and SEND staff, counsellors and therapists, health and social care professionals, and animal-assisted practitioners and care farms. It adds animal-assisted interventions to your existing professional role.

Entry requirements

You need to be aged 21 or over, with a relevant degree or at least five years’ experience working with clients. You also need current access to clients and animals, the academic skills to complete written work at this level, and the resilience to discuss social, emotional and mental health issues, including trauma.

Level 3 graduates are welcome, but the Level 3 is not required.

Next step

To register your interest, or find out more, please email academy@elysianuk.org.

Payment Options

Purchase the entire course upfront or pay per module. All modules must be completed to achieve the qualification.