Howard Springs NT
Therapy Dog Certification
CANINE ASSISTED SERVICES
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
PROGRAM AIM
"Prepare and equip a canine–handler team to facilitate trauma-informed practice that enhances the wellbeing and engagement of service clients, supports the handler and their work role, and protects and promotes the canine’s wellbeing and quality of life"
Linda Spencer
Train Your Dog to Work Alongside You!
Canine Assisted Services Dog & Handler Certification
Imagine bringing your dog to work—not just as a companion, but as a trained therapy or educational partner, enhancing lives while strengthening your bond.
This six-month program is designed for professionals and volunteers who want to integrate their own trained dog into their workplace, whether in counselling, education, community services, healthcare, or volunteer programs.
Why Join This Program?
🐾 Work Together – Train your dog to become a trusted canine assisted service partner in your field.
🐾 Enhance Wellbeing – Improve engagement, connection, and emotional support for yourself and those you serve.
🐾 Ethical & Evidence-Based – Learn best-practice methodologies backed by research.
🐾 Tailored Learning – Apply training to your specific job role for real-world impact.
What’s Included?
✔️ Six expert-led modules covering canine behaviour, animal-assisted services, training methods, workplace integration & more
✔️ Hands-on training & behavioural assessments to ensure your dog’s readiness
✔️ Certificate of completion as a Canine Assisted Services Dog & Handler Team upon successful completion
✔️ Eligibility to register with Animal Therapies Ltd., the national registration body for animal assisted services.
Who Should Enrol?
This program is ideal for:
✅ Counsellors, therapists & mental health professionals
✅ Teachers, educators & youth workers
✅ Healthcare professionals & community service providers
✅ Volunteers in animal-assisted therapy programs
Taught by an Industry Leader
Led by Linda, a seasoned professional with over 13 years of experience in animal-assisted services. With expertise in psychology and animal behaviour, she is currently pursuing a Professional Doctorate in experiential and creative arts therapies, exploring human-canine interaction.
Terminology in Animal Assisted Services
Binder, A.J. et al. (2024). Recommendations for uniform terminology in animal-assisted services (AAS). Human-Animal Interactions, 12(1) https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2024.0003
“Be always mindful, and committed to the improvement, of animal welfare/wellbeing and human health, recognising the importance of One Health-One Welfare (the acknowledgment that animal, human, and environmental health are intrinsically linked). Accordingly, I will refrain from prioritising the rights and welfare of humans over that of animals engaged in animal-assisted services, and vice versa”.
Code of Ethics
Animal Therapies Ltd.
