Animal Assisted Play Therapy®

Animal Assisted Play Therapy®: Theory, Research, & Practice
2027 Level 1 Workshop

Animal Assisted Play Therapy® (AAPT) is an evidence-based therapy approach that can be used by mental health, allied health, and education professionals in conjunction with their work. AAPT is a relationship-centered approach that incorporates consent, agency, reciprocity, playfulness, animal welfare, and true partnerships with dogs, horses, cats, and other species to create a safe and conducive atmosphere for therapeutic and educational progress. 

AAPT was developed by two licensed mental health and play therapy veterans and credentialed animal behaviorists, Dr. Risë VanFleet (USA) and Tracie Faa-Thompson (UK), who combined their 80 years of experience to include animals in professional work. AAPT can be applied with clients and students of all ages and with a wide range of presenting difficulties and goals. It is quite different from most other forms of animal assisted services in that the methods and activities are drawn from the unique personalities and interests of each animal involved and applied to client goals in a variety of creative ways. This ensures that the animals find the process engaging and enjoyable, and clients and students learn from their specialized interactions with the professionals and the animals. This workshop introduces participants to the 23-year multidisciplinary history and foundations of AAPT, the values, principles, and goal areas that can be addressed, and the importance of deeply understanding their animals at the species, breed, and individual levels. One does not need to be a credentialed play therapist to attend this workshop. 

For the 23 years of the AAPT Level 1 workshop being offered throughout the world, the average rating by participants is a 4.9 out of 5.0! Many have described its depth and hands-on experiences with the dogs and horses included in the workshop as both fun and “life-changing.” For full information about AAPT, please check out the website at https://iiaapt.org and find the full flyer describing the Level 1 workshop at https://iiaapt.org/training . This contains dates, locations, continuing education/professional development information, the certified instructors offering each workshop, and how to register!