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 animal-assisted therapy, activities and learning, which require that those delivering interventions have the expertise necessary to attend to the needs of the people and the animals involved.
You’ll develop skill and expertise regarding the practical applications of human-animal interactions and understand how the effects of these methods can be demonstrated across age, race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and life condition. You will also learn how animal-assisted interventions can be incorporated in practice by a range of professionals and how to create and implement high-quality human-animal-environment interaction programs.
Want to learn more about the animals and human health certificate?
550
Approximately 550 students from six continents have completed the AHH certificate.
35
The certificate earns 35 continuing education units documented on a University of Denver transcript.
13
Enrollment is capped at 13 students per cohort for a high-quality learning environment.
About Animal-Assisted Interventions
Professional animal-assisted interventions demonstrate how the human-animal bond can create lasting social, emotional, cognitive, physical, spiritual and psychological changes. Animal-assisted therapy, activities and learning 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 equine-assisted mental health applications in their 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 animal-assisted education program.
A Program for Working Professionals
The animals and human health certificate enhances the practice of professionals from a variety of career fields—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, benefits and opportunities of the human-animal bond.
Although many of our students work in the mental health field and are integrating or planning to integrate animal-assisted therapy into their 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 animal-assisted interventions, consider pairing a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and the Animal-Assisted Social Work Certificate from the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work.
Application Information
Featured Courses
IHAC -0110
Animals and Human Health Core
About this Course
This course offers an in-depth introduction to animal-assisted therapy, activities and learning including history, theory and research, ethics, professions and applications utilizing animal-assisted interventions, overview of animal information and issues, evaluation and administration.
IHAC -0120
Applications of Animal-Assisted Interventions
About this Course
This course covers the populations (individuals and groups of all ages) with whom animal-assisted interventions are often employed, as well as typical educational, mental health, behavioral, medical and health care settings. The course also covers effective management and administration of animal-assisted programs. Students will have the opportunity to tailor certain assignments to their specific interest areas.
IHAC -0130
Animal Partners in Animal-Assisted Interventions
About this Course
This course covers the many species that can participate in animal-assisted interventions, as well as issues that must be addressed so that client outcomes are achieved at the same time animal welfare is 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. Students will have the opportunity to tailor certain assignments to their specific interest areas.
Capstone Session
Your capstone will tie the program together by asking you to create a full animal-assisted intervention program proposal, which you’ll present to your instructors and peers on the University of Denver campus. The session also includes dialogue with experts in the field of human-animal interactions, group experiential work and demonstration, and analysis of animal-assisted interventions. Students benefit from extensive interaction with practitioners from a variety of professions and locations.
Key Faculty & Students
Alumni Stories
Animal-Assisted Therapy in Bolivia
After completing IHACs Animals and Human Health (AHH) certificate, María Belén Ibáñez Justiniano established EQOVOLARE, Bolivia's first officially registered animal-assisted therapy center.
Interventions at the Children's Hospital
AHH Alum Whitney Romine advocates for broader application of the hospital's therapy dog program, conducts human-animal interaction safety education, and supports her organization’s first animal-assisted intervention pilot study.
Understanding Animal Well-Being
The Animals and Human Health certificate enhanced Lynn Belkin's understanding of all aspects of animal well-being. She feels more aware of dog stress signals, and is able to evaluate these signs effectively and respond accordingly.