Animals are an important point of reference in many people's lives. They are loyal companions in all situations and are perceived as relationship partners. The positive bio-psycho-social effects of human-animal interaction are continuously being researched and confirmed in many studies. Today, animals are used in professional counseling and therapy settings in outpatient and inpatient facilities. Possible places of use can be hospices, retirement and nursing homes, hospitals, therapeutic practices and educational institutions, schools and youth welfare facilities.

In order to carry out animal-related educational and therapeutic activities professionally, a well-trained human-animal team is required. This is exactly where the university certificate course comes in: The continuing education is designed at a high academic level and combines current findings from science and research with the practical elements of animal-assisted work. The focus is therefore on developing a basic professional attitude and building up specialist knowledge in dealing with different animal species.

The theoretical foundation courses are taught in online events that take place at weekends. In addition, two practical block weeks and an extended practical weekend are held to enable direct transfer into practical application.

On successful completion of the course you will be able to

• Design therapeutic and educational work processes with animals on the basis of a broad and theoretically sound knowledge.
• Use your knowledge of the bio-psycho-social effects of animal-assisted work in practical application.
• professionally plan, implement and evaluate their own animal-assisted educational and therapeutic projects.
• Implement legal, hygienic and administrative requirements for the practical application of animals.
• Apply practical knowledge about the possible use of different animal species in preventive, rehabilitative and educational professional fields.

• Qualification for animal-assisted work through academically sound continuing education with speakers from various scientific disciplines, such as psychology, education, veterinary medicine and behavioral research.
• Opening up new professional opportunities and networks.
• To do justice to the increasing importance of animal-assisted measures in institutional settings using professional methods.
• Optimization of previous animal-assisted activities.
• Personal growth through self-awareness.

Psychologists, medical and non-medical psychotherapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists, alternative practitioners, professional groups working in a counseling capacity (social workers, social pedagogues), teachers and educators and other professional groups working in educational institutions and in health management and care professions.

The university certificate course takes place in a combination of online events, face-to-face and self-study units:

In the online events, the theoretical foundation courses of animal-assisted work are taught by lecturers from a wide range of specialist areas. The first event is scheduled to take place in person at the university to allow students to get to know each other personally.

During thetwo practical weeks and the additional extended practical weekend, participants gain intensive experience and learn about educational and therapeutic work with different animal species in practice. They exchange ideas in the group and network with other participants. In the self-study phases, participants deepen the content taught and expand their knowledge of animal-assisted interventions through literature study and self-reflection.

In addition, participants complete an internship, which enables them to apply the training content directly in practical application and expand their own skills. The preparation of a term paper serves the individual advanced course of what has been learned, taking into account the quality criteria of scientific work. The term paper is supervised by the course director, Prof. Dr. Leonina Gina Kaestele.

The combination of online events, practical phases and self-study phases makes it possible to complete the comprehensive continuing education program within 12 months.

The curriculum and further information can be found in the brochure and in the download area.

Dates:

• The continuing education program extends over a period of one year from 13.04.2024 to 13.04.2025.
  During this period, there will be an introductory day at The Hochschule Niederrhein, 14 online day events on a total of 8 weekends as well as two practical block weeks and an extended practical weekend.
• Registration deadline: 22.03.2024
• Number of participants: approx. 20 people
• Location: Online format and several practical locations (Mönchengladbach, Schermbeck, Mechernich-Katzey, Korschenbroich, Willich)

Kick-off event in presence:

• Sat. 13.04.2024 at The Hochschule Niederrhein, Mönchengladbach campus

Block weeks in presence - 5 days each

• Mon, 17 - Fri, 21.06.2024: Lühlerheide, Schermbeck
• Mon, 26 - Fri, 30.08.2024: Riedlingstiere vom Veybach, Mechernich-Katzvey

Practical application weekend - 3 days

• Fri. 13.09. - Sun. 15.09.2024: SmiLa-Hof, Korschenbroich / farm kindergarten, Willich

Online presence events

• Sun., 14.04.2024 | Sat., 11.05. and Sun., 12.05.2024 | Sat., 13.07. and Sun., 14.07.2024 | Sat., 16.11. and Sun., 17.11.2024 | Sat, 11.01. and Sun., 12.01.2025 | Sat., 22.02. and Sun., 23.02.2025 | Sat., 15.03.2025 and Sat., 12.04. and Sun., 13.04.2025

• Participation fee: € 4,500 | alumni € 4,275 (5% discount)
  The fee can be paid in three installments of € 1,500 each if desired. The first installment is due before the start of the course, the second payment by 30.09.2024 and the last installment by 28.02.2025.
  Participants incur additional costs for accommodation and meals on attendance dates and during practical phases.
• Participation requirements: University degree or other professionally qualifying degree with relevant professional experience.
• Scope (workload): 520 h, of which 220 h (online) attendance, 20 ECTS
• Degree: University certificate / certificate of attendance

All participants receive a certificate of attendance if at least 75% of the course is attended.

In order to obtain the university certificate in "Animal-assisted therapy and education" (20 ECTS credits), you must provide proof of performance and successfully complete the examination.

• The following certificates of achievement must be submitted:
  - Internship certificate and internship report (self-reflection): minimum duration 120 h (60 h of which can be your own practical project). If necessary, the course instructor, Prof. Dr. Leonina Gina Kaestele, can recommend a practical location.
  - Oral presentation in the form of a lecture: 30 h workload, duration 20 to 30 minutes
• Examination | approx. 150 h workload:
  Preparation of a written term paper, 30 to 40 pages, duration: approx. 4 months

Three questions for the course instructor, Prof. Dr. Leonina Gina Kaestele:

Why is continuing education in "specialist in animal-assisted therapy and education" currently of interest to many professionals?
Human-animal interactions have been the subject of intensive research for several years and the positive effects have now been proven in numerous studies. As a result, the possible applications and locations have become very diverse and the demand for well-trained specialists is increasing. I believe that our continuing education program contains the right mix of theory and practice and that new career opportunities and prospects can open up for participants after graduation with the university certificate.

What are you particularly looking forward to about this university certificate course?
For me, the apprenticeship in the field of animal-assisted therapy and education is a project close to my heart, so I'm really looking forward to getting to know the participants and supporting them in their continuing education. I always find the practical phases in particular very enriching.

And what can the participants look forward to?
Participants can look forward to a professionally qualifying continuing education program in which theory and practice are very well combined. The continuing education contributes to their personal and professional development. Learning in a group of like-minded people has proved to be very successful so far. Good contacts have been made, which have also contributed to an in-depth professional exchange after the degree of continuing education.