Human Animal Interaction Section of American Psychological Assocation

Thanks to Mindy Dutka for sharing information on The Dog Rehoming Project's study on the use of AI to enhance animal shelters and rescue organizations. If you work or volunteer in this field, your insights are invaluable! Please consider taking this short survey. Participation is open to anyone worldwide, so feel free to share this with your network. Click the link below or scan the QR code to join. Let's make a difference together!

Long known for their service in schools and hospitals, therapy dogs are increasingly being called to work in diverse settings. Read more about how Phoenix, a 3-1/2 year old Goldendoodle, is supporting firefighters in Charlotte, North Carolina! https://lnkd.in/ggvSs3pX #therapydog #firefighters #humananimalinteraction #humananimalbond #HAI

Listen to the HAI podcast! Nichole Anderson is an Assistant Professor of Animal Behavior and Welfare at Texas Tech University’s School of Veterinary Medicine. At TTU, Nichole teaches animal behavior and welfare to first-year veterinary students and is currently researching equine welfare during equine-assisted service sessions. https://lnkd.in/gr_GUfCC

Drop out rates for animal-assisted psychotherapy are lower than the drop-out rates of conventional psychotherapy by 11.2% https://lnkd.in/esrvKJmS

Register now for our FREE Animal Assisted Interventions Webinar Series- Polyvagal Theory and Animal Assisted Services; The Neurobiology of Safety Thu, Sep 5, 2024 3-4PM EST This webinar will explore how animal-assisted services can serve as a path to increase the felt sense of safety for clients both in and outside the therapeutic space. Using the framework of polyvagal theory, participants will explore ways to move from fight/flight/freeze/collapse states and access the ventral vagal circuit to enhance states of connection, security, and security. Register here: https://lnkd.in/edi9cn5k #webinar #professionaldevelopment #HAI #continuouslearning #animalassistedintervention #humananimalinteraction #humananimalbond #free #knowledgeispower

🐾 Did you know? Classroom pets might do more than just entertain—they could boost kids' social skills, behavior, and academics! 🐹📚 A study found that third and fourth graders with pets like guinea pigs and turtles showed improvements in social skills and reading, along with reduced hyperactivity. Though more research is needed, these findings highlight the potential benefits of furry or scaly friends in the classroom! 🐢✨ #ClassroomPets #Education #LearningWithPets https://lnkd.in/evvHp6-N

DID YOU KNOW? Today is National Dog Day! National Dog Day celebrates all dogs, mixed breed and pure. The organization's mission is to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year and acknowledge family dogs and dogs that work selflessly each day to save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort.

Look who's hiring 👀 ANIMAL ASSISTED COUNSELING OF INDIANA, LLC is seeking a licensed clinician as well as a Master's level intern. The importance of the human-animal bond cannot be overstated. For centuries, people have shared a deep and mutually beneficial relationship with animals rooted in companionship, trust, and understanding. Our center provides Animal Assisted Therapy in North West Indiana using canine co-therapists to make the treatment process more enjoyable and effective. Integrating dogs into our sessions creates a nurturing environment where you can experience healing, companionship, and personal growth. Learn more about these exciting opportunities here: https://lnkd.in/ei8vqMhg

If you currently work with therapy or facility animals in your practice or are curious about what that entails, don’t miss the AAAIP mini-conference: Competencies for the Ethical Inclusion of Therapy/Facility Animals on August 27, 7-9 PM ET.   This session’s topics include:   *How to legitimize the work you do with therapy animals  *The specialized training needed to excel in the Animal-Assisted Interventions field  *Guidance on evaluating your animal partner you bring to work Our distinguished speakers will discuss the significance of these competencies and how they can be integrated into your everyday practice:  Dr. Aubrey Fine, Editor of the Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy  Dr. Leslie Stewart, Champion of AAT-specific competencies in counseling  Dr. Elizabeth Ruegg, Psychology Today Contributor specializing in AAI The session is free to AAAIP members, and $29 for non-members. Session recording will be provided the next day if you can’t participate live. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eGu6KkGs Please share this event with your network of professionals who care about upholding the highest standards of practice and professionalizing this vital work!  #HAI #ethics #animalwelfare #professionaldevelopment #knowledgeispower #animalassistedintervention #humananimalinteraction #humananimalbond #therapyanimals

Listen to HAI’s newest podcast! Freya Green is a researcher and program coordinator for the Building Academic Retention through K9s (B.A.R.K.) program at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus. Freya’s primary research focus is to understand the impact of canine-assisted interventions on the well-being of university students and law-enforcement personnel. https://lnkd.in/evJ4vzRJ