Our relationships with animals and the natural world possess great healing potential when intentionally addressed. The Animals and Human Health (AHH) professional development certificate focuses on human-animal interactions, activities, and learning, which require that those delivering interventions and services have the expertise necessary to attend to the needs of the people and the animals involved.
Throughout this program, you will develop skill and expertise regarding the practical applications of human-animal interactions and understand how the effects of these methods can be demonstrated across human service settings with various populations. You will also learn how these interactions can be incorporated in practice by a range of professionals and how to create and implement high-quality, human-animal-environment interaction programs with a critical emphasis on ethics and animal well-being.
An Emphasis on Ethical Human-Animal Interactions
The Animals and Human Health program provides education and skill development in the growing field of human-animal interactions (HAI) with a strong emphasis on ethics and animal well-being. Professional HAIs demonstrate how the human-animal bond can create lasting social, emotional, cognitive, physical, spiritual, and psychological changes. Therapy, activities, and learning integrating animals are found in many settings. For example:
As part of his physical therapy, a man recovering from a stroke regains the use of his arm by playing “fetch” with a specially screened and trained dog.
An at-risk teen refuses traditional therapy but begins to explore personal issues with a therapist who integrates equines into their mental health practice.
A child who is a victim of sexual abuse learns to trust and connect with people by first learning to trust and connect with an animal.
A student with a learning difference feels excited and hopeful about school because of a new education program integrating animals.
A Program for Working Professionals
The Animals and Human Health certificate enhances the practice of professionals from a variety of human service careers—from counselors to teachers, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, police officers, veterinarians and more—by providing the education needed to incorporate animals into their work. With the certificate, you can enhance your current career by incorporating the value and benefits of the human-animal bond.
Although many of our students work in the mental health field and are integrating or planning to integrate animals into their therapy practice, this program does not teach you how to be a therapist (a graduate degree from an accredited program is typically needed to practice in the mental health field). If you are looking for a career change into mental health treatment and human-animal interactions, consider pairing a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and the Human-Animal-Environmental Interactions in Social Work Certificate from the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work.
35
You will earn 35 continuing education units documented on a University of Denver transcript.
700
Approximately 700 students across 6 continents have completed this certificate since it began in 2006.
13
Enrollment is capped at 13 students per cohort for a high-quality learning environment.
Program Format
Our curriculum is designed to meet various needs and interests, and takes place completely online. The certificate includes three online courses and one virtual Capstone session. You will progress through the three required online courses in sequence with a peer cohort, then meet over Zoom for a two-day Capstone. As you move through the program, your instructors will offer guidance, individualized weekly feedback, and participate in online discussion forums.
Online Courses
Courses include readings, written assignments, community/experiential activities, videos, and discussion forums. You may complete coursework at your pace within specified due dates. Experiential activities are incorporated into each course and will require you to work in the community, away from the computer.
Capstone Session
Your capstone will tie what you have learned throughout the program together by asking you to create a full program, case plan, program intervention, or research design with an associated human-animal interaction application, which you’ll virtually present to your instructors and peers. You will gain the experience of presenting your program in a formal and concise manner, as well as feedback from your peers and instructors. Students also complete a critical reflection examining their positionality in relation to their human-animal interaction practice. This course is where everyone's unique experience, background, and future goals shine. Many alumni of Animals and Human Health have taken their completed project and implemented it in their organization or community!
Tailored Learning
As a student, you will be able to tailor your learning and assignments to fit with your chosen animal species, population with whom you would like to work, and your ideal setting. As you research human-animal interaction programs that are similar to the type of work you intend to do, you’ll learn what is currently happening in your field and extrapolate the best practices needed to develop and lead a successful and ethical program.
Program Courses
IHAC -0110
Animals and Human Health Core
About this Course
This course offers an in-depth introduction to human-animal interactions including theory and research, ethics, animals and communities, multicultural practice, and professions and programs utilizing human-animal interactions.
IHAC -0120
Applications of Human-Animal Interactions
About this Course
This course covers the populations (individuals and groups of all ages) and various human service settings in which human-animal interactions are often integrated. The course also covers effective management and ethical administration of human-animal interaction programs and interventions. Students will have the opportunity to tailor certain assignments to their specific interest areas.
IHAC -0130
Animal Partners in Human-Animal Interactions
About this Course
This course covers the many species that can participate in human-animal interactions, as well as issues that must be addressed so that client outcomes are achieved at the same time animal welfare and ethics are protected. Topics include selection, training, screening, care, protection, ongoing monitoring and overall well-being of animals, as well as effective program management and administration related to the inclusion of animals.
Application Information
Cohorts are filled on a first come, first serve basis. Due to high interest, it is recommended to submit your application early.
“As a leading institute in human-animal interactions, it was incredibly appealing to learn from IHAC as an aspiring human-animal interaction professional. Within the first few months of the Animals and Human Health program, I was absolutely certain this was the field I wanted to pursue further. I highly recommend the Animals and Human Health program to other [post-bachelor degree] students who are in my situation. The program gave me a head start before starting my Master of Social Work and helped me narrow down my focus to the field I love.”
Certificate Faculty
Alumni Stories
Therapy Farm Built on Access and Inclusion
Pamela Wheeler is a licensed mental health practitioner who founded UBU Therapy Farms in Lincoln, NE where children can learn socio-emotional skills and interact with animals in a therapeutic setting. Wheeler previously worked as a crisis response therapist and sought out our Animals and Human Health professional development certificate because she wanted to begin her own practice specializing in the inclusion of animals alongside treatment.
Dog-Assisted Reading Program in Mexico
Maria Espinosa de los Monteros didn’t grow up with dogs, but quickly opened up her heart and home to the many stray dogs in need of care in her community once she was able to. She is now the director of the R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistant Dogs) program in Mexico City where she serves a diverse population and is elevating the role of dogs in her community.
AHH Graduate Launches Successful Human-Animal Interactions Program
Andrea Sierra graduated from our Animals and Human Health (AHH) certificate program in 2022. She is now a clinical supervisor at The Crossroads Inc., in Phoenix, Arizona, one of the largest non-profit residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment programs in the United States. At Crossroads, she utilized the knowledge she gained in AHH to assist her in implementing a human-animal interaction program that incorporates psychoeducational topics, such as communication skills, trust building, trauma, and mindfulness.
How the AHH Certificate Program Prepared This Graduate for Her Master of Social Work
A continuing education certificate program like IHAC’s Animals and Human Health certificate can be a useful steppingstone before committing to a graduate degree program. Sarah Szuchman completed the AHH certificate in early 2025 prior to starting her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work. Sarah has had a lifelong passion for animals and the AHH certificate helped Sarah to see what could be possible with human-animal interactions in a professional setting.
From Learning to Include Animals to Specializing in Canine Interventions
Darlene Brace, Behavioral Health Director in an integrated medical and dental clinic, is a graduate of both the Animals and Human Health (AHH) and Canine-Assisted Intervention Specialist (CAIS) certificates. In both of these programs, Brace learned valuable skills and knowledge that she has been able to take into her personal practice.