Animal Assisted Therapy
MODULE: Animal Assisted Therapy
Program delivered by distance learning higher education up to a maximum of 15 credits.
This module may be combined or completed with other online university courses from this faculty.
DESCRIPTION: This program provides an overview of the many ways in which animals can be used to assist therapists. Coverage includes how animals can assist specific patient populations (children, the disabled, AIDS patients, etc.), how animals can aid in specific settings (hospitals, prisons, independent practice, etc.), and how professionals can best select appropriate animals (species, breed, and individual temperament) and design an AAT program. Humans have long had a special bond with animals, initially as work animals, then as pets, and now more frequently as therapeutic companions. Animals help the sick recover more quickly and help the aged live longer and more satisfying lives. Specially trained animals are now helping stroke victims, the handicapped, and others to regain or build lost faculties.
Courses list (each subject accounts for 3 credits):
1 BIU Earned Credit = 1 USA Semester Credit (15 hours of learning) = 2 ECTS Credit (30 hours of study).
Animal Behavior
Domestic Animals
Animal Human Bond
Human Animal Support Services
Animal Assisted Therapy
Academic Supervisor: Ruben Von Stopeck
More information about this supervisor and online university course instructors at BIU Human Network.
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This module is applicable to Specialist, Expert, Bachelor's, Master's and Ph.D. (Doctor) Programs. This distance learning degree program is designed at the postgraduate level – Master’s or Doctoral. This module may be easily adapted to complete the Specialist, Expert or Bachelor’s adult degree program requirements. A further option is the enrollment into the online university courses listed in this module.
* Course (3 credits): Select 1 subject from this module.
* Specialist (15 credits): First 5 subjects or select 5 subjects from this module.
* Expert (21 credits): First 7 subjects or select 7 subjects from this module.
* Bachelor's (130 credits): The Admission certificate issued after submission of the application for admission will show the amount of credit transferred and validated from previous education and experience, and the amount of credits required to complete this undergraduate program's major. Additional courses from other modules of this faculty will be assigned in case that the credits displayed on this module are not enough to complete the bachelor's required credits.
* Master's (35 credits): Select from 3 to 9 subjects from this module depending on the amount of credits transferred from previous education and experience. Add 13 credits corresponding to a final project to the selected subjects.
* Ph.D. (Doctor) (45 credits): Select from 3 to 9 subjects from this module depending on the amount of credits transferred from previous education and experience. Add 18 credits corresponding to a final thesis to the selected subjects.
BIU issues an admission certificate after receiving your complete application for admission. This document will show the amount of credits transferred and validated from previous education and experience, and the amount of credits required to complete the degree program's major. BIU can not perform this evaluation without the complete application for admission.
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Courses Description (each subject accounts for 3 credits):
Animal Behavior
This course deals with understanding animal behavior. It reviews the behavior of animals under natural conditions, with emphasis on both mechanistic and evolutionary approaches. Topics include ethology, behavioral endocrinology; behavioral genetics; learning; signaling, deceit and animal consciousness; orientation, migration and biological rhythms; optimization and game theory; parental investment and mating systems; selfishness, altruism, and reciprocity; and sociality in vertebrates and invertebrates.
Instructor: Bernardino Pérez
Domestic Animals
This course explores how to understand horses, dogs & cats. It explains their behavior, their instinctual reactions, their history in man's life, as well as insight into their interaction with their human mates. It examines the mechanisms and control of pet behavior in a domestic context. It also reviews the behavior of cattle, horses, sheep, goats and swine for their management.
Instructor: Catherine Wanjiru Gachutha
Animal Human Bond
This course studies the psychosocial benefits of animal companionship. It explores the conceptualization of the animal-human bond and the understanding of animal assisted therapy. It considers the effect of animal companions for human well-being and health, and an historical exploration of the value of human-animal relationships.
Instructor: Catherine Wanjiru Gachutha
Human Animal Support Services
This course examines the history, theory, and development of human animal support services for elder people, disabled or with chronic/terminal illnesses. It analyzes service animals and their roles in enhancing independence, quality of life, and employment for people with mental or physical disabilities, the therapeutic education through care of animals and how to incorporate animals in psychotherapy.
Instructor: Fernando Miralles
Animal Assisted Therapy
This course deals with designing and implementing Animal-Assisted Therapy programs in health and mental health. It examines conceptual models and guidelines for quality assurance, and the methods, standards, guidelines, and considerations in selecting animals for Animal-Assisted Therapy.
Instructor: Fernando Miralles
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Professionally recognized and validated degrees. International legalization available. Accredited (Non USA CHEA). Non formal and independent education leading to degrees not formally validated by a Ministry of Education.