Human-Animal Interactions is a rapidly emerging field. Human services providers realized the power of the unconditional love offered by our non-judgmental animal partners to hance the well-being of people interact with those animals. As the number of people in needs such as special educational needs (SEN), dementia, and mixed mood disorders, is increasing, the number of those who are non-responsive to the more traditional service formats is also increasing. Hence, animal assisted interaction (AAI) has become one of the most welcomed non-traditional interventions especially for those under-served or non-responsive individuals in the society. As one of the pioneering courses about AAI being taught at the post-graduate level, this course provides a comprehensive overview of the major theoretical orientations in AAI with a major focus on its application in counselling of people with common mental health needs. It aims to give students an appreciation of the general issues, problems encountered, and related ethical issues of applying AAI in the counselling process. It covers topics such as the basics of the human-animal relationship, ethics and professionalism, limitations of AAI etc. Students will also be introduced to the basic psychology and behaviour of animals, and the training philosophy since these will be incorporated into the design and practice of AAIs. Student learning will be facilitated by lectures, seminars, case studies, experiential exercises, group projects, and the completion
Assessment: 100% coursework