Looking to work with therapy animals in a way that supports best practice for therapeutic, educational or community-based settings? Whether you’re an allied health professional expanding your services or new to the field, this course helps you deliver meaningful and ethical sessions.
The Certificate of Animal-Assisted Therapy is a professional development course that provides the skills to integrate animals into support programs for diverse client groups.
In this animal-assisted therapy (AAT) course, you’ll learn how to design and deliver ethical, evidence-based AAT sessions that prioritise client outcomes and animal welfare. You will learn about the human–animal bond, client suitability, goal setting, program design, safe handling, and positive animal training methods.
You will also explore choosing the right animal, monitoring welfare, and adapting your approach to suit client needs, cultural backgrounds, and therapy settings. You will also learn about insurance, legal compliance, career pathways, and how to build a personal practice framework.
On completion of this course, you will feel confident in planning and delivering structured AAT programs across settings like mental health, disability support, aged care, schools, and community services.
Course Structure
Certificate of Animal-Assisted Therapy - AAT
Unit 1 – Introduction to Animal-Assisted Therapy
- Understanding Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT)
- History of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT)
- Benefits and limitations of Animal-Assisted Therapy
- Current research
Unit 2 – Human-Animal Bond
- Understanding the human-animal bond
- Emotional connection
- Physical benefits
- The power of the human-animal connection
- Understanding attachment theory
- Building trust and safety
- Culture and Animal-Assisted Therapy
Unit 3 – Ethics and Welfare
- Understanding animal welfare laws
- Recognising stress and fatigue
- The Five Freedoms
- Ethical challenges
Unit 4 – Animal Therapy in Action
- Therapy, Support and Assistance Animals
- Choosing the right animal for therapy
- Dogs and Animal-Assisted Therapy
- Horses and Animal-Assisted Therapy
- Small Animal Therapy
- Cats and Animal-Assisted Therapy
- Chickens and Animal-Assisted Therapy
- Reptiles and Animal-Assisted Therapy
- Farm-Based Animal Assisted Therapy
- Assessing Client-Animal fit
Unit 5 – Working With Clients
- Identifying suitable clients
- Goal-setting in Animal-Assisted Therapy
- Building trust through communication
- Managing risks and boundaries
- Professional boundaries
Unit 6 – Program Design and Delivery
- Plan and delivery structured AAT sessions
- Choosing the best animal for each client
- Tracking progress with Animal-Assisted Therapy
- Adapting therapy sessions to client needs
Unit 7 – Animal Training and Handling Basics
- Foundations of animal training for therapy
- Positive reinforcement
- Desensitisation
- Safe handling
- Helping therapy animals adapt to new environments
- Working with professional trainers
Unit 8 – Legal and Professional Considerations
- Insurance and legal liability
- Career pathways and professional development
- Personal practice framework
- Building a professional AAT business
Study Hours
Estimated duration 40 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Approval and Recognition
Australian Online Courses Pty Ltd is an approved and recognised member of IARC. The IARC is an International association that recognises quality and excellence in tertiary education providers.
Testimonials
Click to See What Our Students Say
I enjoyed my experience with Australian Online Courses. The information and the assignments were interesting and definitely got me thinking. The tutors were quick to respond to my emails and were very helpful.
Shannon | Gaborone, Botswana | Certificate of Pet Therapy
I loved the course content. It was extremely relevant to my future career goals. Thank you.
R. Twig, Bokarina, QLD | Certificate of Pet Therapy
The content was informative, the assessment was thorough, the access to tutors was available and response was appropriate. All in all I will happily use this service again.
T. Durham, Eastern Heights, QLD | Certificate of Pet Therapy
Through this course, I learned in detail about the effectiveness of pet therapy. I also learned what is necessary to start this business, so I hope to use this knowledge when I start my own business in the future.
Nozomi | TAS | Certificate of Pet Therapy
Very welcoming. I liked the structure of the program. Tutor checked in regularly.
Katharine | Carbrook, QLD | Certificate of Pet Therapy
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrolment Form – Employment Services and Rehabilitation Providers
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional development for those:
- Working with animals in hospitals
- Working with animals in aged-care sector
- Working in health/community services
- Interested in starting a pet therapy business
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