AAI for Trauma-Informed Practice
AAI for Trauma-Informed Practice
Course Overview
This course equips practitioners with the knowledge and skills to integrate Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) into trauma-informed and person-centred care. Participants will explore how animals can be used to promote safety, trust, and emotional regulation, while ensuring the wellbeing of both clients and animals. The course combines practical techniques, ethical frameworks, and reflective exercises to empower professionals to create therapeutic experiences that are collaborative, empowering, and grounded in evidence-based practice. Learners will gain the confidence to plan, implement, and evaluate AAI in ways that support trauma recovery and emotional resilience.
What You Will Learn
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the principles of trauma-informed care and how they align with AAI
- Understand the physiological and psychological benefits of the human-animal bond for trauma recovery
- Identify trauma responses and adapt AAI techniques to support grounding and emotional regulation
- Select and prepare animals for therapeutic sessions, ensuring welfare and consent
- Apply practical AAI strategies such as grooming, observation, and mindfulness in person-centred practice
- Conduct risk assessments and implement safeguarding protocols for clients and animals
- Reflect on practice and create action plans for integrating AAI ethically and effectively
Who This Course is For
This intermediate-level course is suitable for social workers, therapists, and SEND specialists who wish to integrate trauma-informed AAI into their professional practice.
Next Steps
Strengthen your understanding, build your confidence, and develop practical strategies to deliver trauma-informed, person-centred Animal-Assisted Interventions. Enrol now and take the next step toward creating safe, ethical, and empowering therapeutic experiences that support emotional regulation, trust, and resilience for clients while prioritising animal welfare.