Training

For training, internship and certification opportunities available in Canada, the United States and internationally, please click on the links below:

 

 

DISCLAIMER

For professionals and career-seekers: Please note that these trainings will not qualify you to be a health or helping professional. Prior education and credentials in these fields is a recommended prerequisite so that you may use AAIs, EAIs and NAIs within your professional scope of practice. There are many serious ethical issues and potential dangers for you, your clients and the animals if you practice any kind of personal growth and learning, health, helping and healing intervention without extensive education and experience. In order to work ethically and to ensure your own safety as well as that of your clients and the animals you will be partnering with, please ensure you have adequate education and experience in a credentialed profession and in working with the species you wish to partner with as a foundation before pursuing AAI, EAI and NAI training.

For para-professionals: If you are a para-professional/assistant in one of these fields, working within the limits of your scope of practice will be important, as will partnering or working under the supervision of a professional.

For volunteers: Becoming a volunteer in any of these fields may not require the same level of education or training. For instance, animal-assisted activities (AAA) such as pet visitation can be done by just about anyone who has completed an AAA training and evaluation with their potential therapy pet. Relevant education and experience are considered assets to have, but are often not requirements.

NOTE: This website is not a substitution for the careful investigation and evaluation by the individual of a program's merit and legitimacy. Users must exercise normal care and caution before becoming involved in any training program listed on this website. Evaluate the credentials of the trainer, the length of the program, who is offering it (an individual, a centre, a professional association) and their eligibility prerequisites, as well as how the training is being marketed and to whom. Not all trainings and "certifications" are created equally and there are no laws or standards outlining who can offer a certification. Anyone can offer a "certification" - buyer beware!