The Canadian Context
The fields of animal-assisted therapy and equine-facilitated interventions have been thriving in the United States since the 1960s, and boast numerous training programs, associations, university research centres, journal articles, and other professional infrastructures that serve to promote their practitioners, educate the public, and promote ethical practices. However, not as much is known about these fields as they exist in Canada. Until the development of this website, these fields have been characterized by a lack of visibility, a lack of easily accessible information, as well as a lack of communication among practitioners and many divergent views and philosophical differences (due in part to the large geographic expanse of our country and language differences).
One of the most distinguishing features of the field of animal-assisted interventions in Canada is how it is conceptualized in Quebec. Informal discussions with key individuals in that province have indicated that animal-assisted therapy is not only a technique that credentialed helping professionals (psychologists, counsellors, social workers, etc.), health professionals (psychiatrists, nurses, physiotherapists, speech pathologists, etc.), and education professionals (teachers, educators) can use in their practices, but is also conceived of, by some, as an entirely separate and cross-disciplinary profession, at the intersection of the helping professions, animal science, human-animal bond theories, and ethology. Because there is no accreditation currently in place to regulate such practices (in Quebec or elsewhere in Canada), individuals from either camp call themselves "Zoothérapeutes" (or "Animal-Assisted Therapists"), or "Intervenants en zoothérapie" (or "Animal-Assisted Interventions Practitioners"), regardless of their professional background and training. As a result, a Zoothérapeute could be a registered psychologist (or any health, education or helping professional), or an individual without a background in these professions who has completed a two-year diploma program straight out of high school or as a change in careers.
Clearly, there exist many differing opinions concerning this confusing situation, which holds major implications for the practice of animal-assisted interventions. In order to get a better sense of where things currently stand, a research study is presently underway by this author that seeks to gain a more in-depth understanding of the fields of animal-assisted therapy and equine-assisted therapy/learning, which will expand what is known about these fields in Canada.
For training and professional development opportunities that are currently offered in Canada, click here.
Key Organizations
It is important to note that the fields represented on this website are regulated in Canada. However, many attempts have been made to develop other kinds of infrastructures, such as professional associations and working committees, whose goals are to promote these fields/approaches, offer training and networking opportunities and, in some cases, offer certification or accreditation.
NATIONAL BODIES
Human-Animal Bond Association of Canada
Once a major player on the animal-assisted therapy stage in Canada, HABAC was founded in 1987 (Draper, Gerber & Layng, 1990), but closed in 2007 and no longer exists.
North American Association of Pet-Facilitated Therapists
Believed to have been formed in Toronto, ON in 1989, but no longer seems to exist. Only a few references to it exist in the literature (Draper, Gerber & Layng, 1990; McCabe, 2001).
Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA)
Founded in 1980, CanTRA is the national association offering a training and certification/accreditation system for therapeutic riding coaches and therapeutic riding centres. CanTRA is an umbrella organization that is also vested in representing the fields of equine-facilitated mental health and hippotherapy.
Equine-Facilitated Mental Health - Canada committee
Founded in 2005 as part of CanTRA, EFMH-Canada is currently developing a national credentialing process for the practice of equine-facilitated work that is independent of any one approach and inclusive of multiple approaches.
Hippotherapy committee
Founded in 2006 as part of CanTRA, the Hippotherapy committee seeks to provide information to the public about this approach.
Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association (CHTA)
Incorporated in 1987, the CHTA's mission is to promote the field and approach of horticultural therapy, and provide educational/training opportunities that prepare individuals for the CHTA's voluntary registration process.
Canadian Task Force for Animal-Assisted Therapy: Founded in 2008, this committee is currently under development and consists of professionals from across Canada who wish to discuss and develop the field of AAT, including standards and guidelines, education/training, and certification.
OTHER CANADIAN ORGANIZATIONS
Equine-Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA)
The Canadian division of EAGALA promotes the practice of their particular approach to equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP), and offers training, resources and a certification process.
Canadian Association for Natural Leadership and Equine Assisted Development (CANLEAD)
Very little is known about this association (website under development).
Canadian Foundation for Animal-Assisted Support Services (CF4AASS)
Originally founded in 1998 as the Canadian Alliance for Animal-Assisted Services (CAFAAS), this organization's goal is to provide a fund to support the development of a broad spectrum of animal-assisted support services as well as the individuals accessing such services.
PROVINCIAL ASSOCIATIONS
Association Québécoise de Zoothérapie (AQZ)
[Quebec Association for Animal-Assisted Interventions]. Founded in 2001, the AQZ seeks to promote the field of animal-assisted therapy, animal-assisted activities and other helping interventions that involve animals and humans.
Corporation des Zoothérapeutes du Québec (CZQ) *Click on CZQ at top of page [Corporation of Animal-Assisted Therapists of Quebec]. Closely affiliated with the Ecole Internationale de Zoothérapie (EIZ), the CZQ seeks to represent animal-assisted therapists in the province of Quebec.
Under development.
References
Draper, R.J., Gerber, G.J., & Layng, E.M. (1990). Defining the role of pet animals in psychotherapy. Psychiatric Journal of the University of Ottawa, 15(3), 169-172.
McCabe, P. (2001). Complementary therapies in nursing and midwifery: From vision to practice. Melbourne, Australia: Ausmed Publications.
Content and images copyright of Sarah Schlote © 2008