Grow - Explore - Connect

ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY

ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY

Grow - Explore - Connect

Committed to professional excellence in the field of Animal-Assisted Therapy

The Child-Centered Animal-Assisted Therapy Association is a professional certification and training program. We believe in the power of the animal-human bond to help foster positive mental health outcomes in children and adolescents. Our organization offers a diverse array of opportunities for personal exploration & growth, professional development, and certification training within the area of Child-Centered Animal-Assisted Therapy (CCAAT).

We are committed to professional excellence in the fields of Animal-Assisted Therapy and mental health. We have developed an in-depth certification program that focuses on the bond between animals and children to promote healing, connection, and growth. We strive to ensure the safety of both the client and the animal assistant, while honouring the attachment needs of the child, and maintaining the highest levels of professional competence needed to facilitate this sacred work.  

CCAAT requires a unique and multifaceted set of skills. The purpose of this certification is to ensure elevated standards of practice in the field of Animal-Assisted Therapy as it pertains to working with children and adolescents.  Those who pursue and complete certification will have achieved the appropriate knowledge base, skills, experience, and competence to conduct Animal-Assisted Therapy activities to improve the mental health of children and adolescents in a variety of professional settings.

CERTIFICATION TRAINING

Would you like to enhance your professional practice, growth, learning, and wellness though partnering with animals? CCAATA offers two levels of professional designation to become a CCAAT Practitioner.

CCAATA CERTIFICATION PROCESS

CCAAT Practitioners are required to successfully complete a thorough and effective 5 step certification process to become fully certified.

SCOPE OF PRACTICE

A scope of practice describes the activities and interventions in which each CCAAT Practitioner is competent to employ when using therapy animals in their professional practice. 

CCAATA PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS

CCAATA offers two levels of certification- Certificated Mental Health Practitioners and Certified Learning Practitioners- so that CCAAT Practitioners can work within their individual domain of knowledge and experience related to clients, animals, and the indoor or outdoor enviroments in which they work. CCAAT Practitioners are encouraged to working within their scope of practice, follow the standards of practice outlines by the CCAATA code of ethics, as well as adhere to the code of ethics of their profession.

ROLE OF THERAPY ANIMALS

At CCAATA, we believe that all animals have the capacity to help children and adolescents connect, grow, and heal.  There is a wide spectrum of animals with different needs and abilities.

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