Paws in the Playroom: Animal Assisted Play Therapy

presented by Tara Moser, LCSW, RPT-S, Animal Assisted Play Therapist-Supervisor-Instructor

Have you ever considered including animals in therapy? Are you not sure if it is a good fit for your practice or clients or animal? Some of the benefits of animal assisted play therapy include the release of calming hormones in both child and animal, trust building, emotional self-regulation, and positive attachment. While the integration of animals into play therapy provides significant therapeutic benefits, it has the equal potential to cause harm if the play therapist is not properly trained. This workshop will provide an introduction to practicing Animal Assisted Play Therapy (AAPT). AAPT requires a complex set of skills, such as knowing how to:

• Properly select and prepare your animal for therapy
• Determine if your animal and client are the right fit for each other
• Align client’s therapy goals to the appropriate AAPT interventions
• Detect signs of stress and resignation in animal’s body language.  

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After attending this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Identify and explain the differences between Animal Assisted Play Therapy and other types of animal assisted therapies, specifically including the animal’s role related to each approach.

2. Identify three competencies related to impacting the human-animal bond in preparation to work with animals in Animal Assisted Play Therapy (AAPT) sessions.

3. Describe ways to meet client’s therapeutic goals by including animals in play therapy-based practices through Animal Assisted Play Therapy (AAPT) sessions.

4. Analyze directive and nondirective play therapy–based approaches between client and animal.

Session limited to 40 participants. | 2 APT Contact CE - Humanistic/Attachment

Please note that CEs are only for APT hours. 

Level of training: Beginner 

ABOUT OUR PRESENTER: Tara Moser, LCSW, RPT-S, Certified Animal Assisted Play Therapist-Supervisor-Instructor is the owner of Delta Family Counseling and Founder of Pawsitive Kids Camp. She and her husband are the authors of Bode the Beach Dog: Life is RUFF! based on one of Tara's first AAPT dogs, Bode, and the amazing experiences he provided children. Tara has been honored as Social Worker of the Year and Social Work Educator of the Year awards (Florida National Association of Social Workers), the APT Service Award, and the Viola Brady Play Therapist of the Year (Florida Association for Play Therapy). She is also a recipient of the IIAPT Kirrie Award for her contributions to AAPT.  

VIRTUAL: This will be a virtual meeting. Participants will be awarded APT CONTACT CE after successful completion of a post test. Participants must be visible throughout the presentation. Due to COVID-19 health concerns, this one-time online event has been approved by APT for 2 CONTACT CE Hours.

MIAPT is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to Play Therapy. APT Approved Provider 99-050. MIAPT maintains responsibility for the program.

PHOTO RELEASE: By registering for this training, you are giving permission for MIAPT to use any photographs (screenshots) that are taken at the event containing your likeness for as long as MIAPT deems appropriate and desirable. Photographs may be used on the MIAPT website, social media pages, and/or newsletter for any purpose. By completing the registration, you are also consenting to waive any rights to the photographs indefinitely. If you do not wish to have your photo used, it is your responsibility to notify MIAPT of your request to be omitted.

CANCELLATION POLICY: If you notify MIAPT you are canceling, and we are able to fill your spot, you will receive a refund for the registration fee minus $15 administrative fee. Cancellation requests must be made in writing. No refunds after September 1, 2021.

EMAIL LIST: By registering for this training, you are giving MIAPT permission to add your email to our email list.

ADA/Section 504: If you have special needs, please contact mymiapt@gmail.com.

Skill Level: All skill levels