therapy dog training

Instant Access

Gain access to the entire theory curriculum immediately upon purchase

Learner therapy dog

Accelerated Progression

Complete one practicum day and the allocated theory each week for 4 weeks

therapy dog training

Transformative Training

Follow our comprehensive training and exclusive work readiness tools to get you and your dog 'work ready' sooner

About the Course

Do you want to FAST TRACK your journey to Learner Dog Certification? Is your dog over 10 months, and already well on their way with socialisation and training? You may be eligible to join the Fast Track Learner pathway, and have your dog eligible for work placement in just 4 weeks! This is the first step on your journey to a career in Animal Assisted Services with your very own Visiting Therapy Dog. Enroll now for instant access.

Why Train with us?

Since 2006 we have been innovating in the field of Animal Assisted Services. Our courses are among the most comprehensive in the country, equipping our graduates with the knowledge and skills to make a difference. Continually updated, scientifically informed, welfare focussed, and effective, our training courses will bring out the best in you and your dog.  We are members of the IAHAIO, the ATL, and endorsed by the Victorian Education Department Mental Health Menu as evidence based. In partnership with Guide Dogs Victoria, we can also help you Certify a career changed guide dog.

Curriculum

5 Chapters · 76 Lessons

  1. 1

    Introduction to the FAST TRACK Pathway

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Learner FAST TRACK

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      RESOURCE: Visiting Therapy Dog Suitability Checklist

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Terms and Conditions

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      About Lead The Way

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Meet Your Instructors

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Course completion requirements

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Agree to Terms and Conditions

  2. 2

    1.1 Complete Prior to Practicum Day One

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      RESOURCE: Course Book 1.1

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      RESOURCE: Self Assessment Sheet Day One

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Conceptualising and Defining AAI

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      QUIZ: Conceptualising and Defining AAI

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Safety and Certification in AAI

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      QUIZ: Safety and Certification in AAI

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      An Introduction To Multidisciplinary Animal Assisted Applications

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      QUIZ: Multidisciplinary Animal Assisted Applications

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Essential Learning Theory

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      TASK: Rewards Hierarchy Workshop Task

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      TASK: Choosing Your Foundational Communication Words

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      QUIZ: Essential Learning Theory

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Canine Socialisation - Conditioning

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      RESOURCE: Socialisation Checklist

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      QUIZ: Canine Socialisation Conditioning

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      Canine Health Care and First Aid

    17. (Included in full purchase)

      QUIZ: Canine Health and First Aid

    18. (Included in full purchase)

      Day One theory completion

  3. 3

    1.2 Complete prior to practicum Day Two

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Day 1.2

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      RESOURCE: Course Book 1.2

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      RESOURCE: Self Assessment Sheet - Level 1

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Canine Welfare & Wellbeing

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      QUIZ: Canine Welfare & Wellbeing

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Canine Regulation

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      QUIZ: Canine Regulation

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Canine Socialisation - Counter Conditioning (managing challenges)

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      RESOURCES: Counter Conditioning

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      QUIZ: Counter Conditioning

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Human Animal Bond

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      QUIZ: Human Animal Bond

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Essential Canine Manners

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      RESOURCE: Boundaries Example

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      TASK: Boundaries Plan

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      QUIZ: Essential Canine Manners

    17. (Included in full purchase)

      Day two theory completion

  4. 4

    1.3 Complete prior to practicum Day Three

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Day 1.3

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      RESOURCE: Course Book 1.3

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Learning Theory - Introducing Challenge

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      QUIZ: Introducing Challenge

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Canine Socialisation - Interactions with people

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      QUIZ: Interactions with people

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Canine Socialisation - Interactions with dogs

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      QUIZ: Interactions with dogs

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Research Efficacy - How effective is AAI?

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      QUIZ: How effective is AAI?

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      AAI Policies, Procedures & Documentation

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      RESOURCE: Policy Framework for Therapy Dogs in Schools

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      QUIZ: AAI Policies, Procedures & Documentation

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Health and Safety in AAI

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      RESOURCE: Canine personal and health record

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      QUIZ: Health and Safety in AAI

    17. (Included in full purchase)

      Applied Socialisation - Workplace Readiness part 1

    18. (Included in full purchase)

      RESOURCE: Temperament Suitability Tool

    19. (Included in full purchase)

      RESOURCE: Workplace matching & goodness of fit

    20. (Included in full purchase)

      RESOURCE: Learner Assessment Decision Tree

    21. (Included in full purchase)

      QUIZ: Applied Socialisation & Workplace Readiness

    22. (Included in full purchase)

      Day three theory completion

  5. 5

    1.4 Complete prior to practicum & assessment Day Four

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Day 1.4

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      RESOURCE: Course Book 1.4

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Learner Dog Assessment Information

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      RESOURCE: Veterinarian Dog Health Check

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Canine Socialisation - Food and Toy Drive

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Canine Socialisation - Prey Drive

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      QUIZ: Canine Socialisation - Drives

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      RESOURCE: Example Workplace Plan

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      TASK: Workplace Readiness Policies and Procedures

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      TASK: Workplace Readiness Welfare and Wellbeing Plan

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      TASK: Workplace Readiness Learner Workplacement Plan

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Day four theory completion

Explore the Research

Discover how our training program is making a difference for teams like yours

”
This paper highlights the current issue facing AAT in Australia and makes recommendations on how to progress the field
Who Let The Dogs Out? Therapy Dogs in Clinical Practice

M.G. Jones, S.M. Rice, S.M. Cotton (2018) Australasian Psychiatry

Therapy Dog
My research shows that when dogs are included in therapy, young people not only improve their mental health symptoms, but their engagement in therapy
M.G. Jones - Psychologist, Dog Trainer, Director Lead The Way

Incorporating AAT in mental health treatments for adolescents: A Systematic Review of CAP (2019). PLOS One

”
Incorporating animal assisted activities in homeless services plays a key role in the lives of clients, particularly related to their sense of wellbeing and connectedness
Happiness is Hugging a Therapy Dog

Joint research project, Melbourne University, Melbourne City Mission and Lead The Way (2017)

Ready to Transform Lives?

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$1,880.00

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