Animal-Assisted Play Therapy: Theory, Research, & Practice (UK) (Level 1)
- A 4-day training -
presented by The Family Enhancement & Play Therapy Center in conjunction with the Playful Pooch Program
with

Risë VanFleet, Ph.D., RPT-S, CDBC
Tracie Faa-Thompson, MA, AASW, PGdipNDPT

The dog was created specially for children.  He is the god of frolic.
  --Henry Ward Beeche

Workshop Description
This training is designed for child and family therapists who wish to train and work with therapy animals to enhance their play therapy and other child/family work. The workshop provides an overview of the human-animal bond literature, animal-assisted therapy, research, and the integration of animal-assisted therapy with play therapy. Emphasis will be placed on dogs, with a special segment on horses. Participants learn how to select and train dogs for this work, as well as why positive, behavioral, and relationship-oriented methods of training are especially useful when involving dogs in child therapy. Emphasis is on the use of child-canine play interactions for therapeutic benefit. Many specific canine-assisted play therapy interventions are covered, including the involvement of dogs with both nondirective and directive play therapy and ways to incorporate families. Types of child/family problems include anxiety and perfectionism, oppositional behaviors, attention deficits, divorce, developmental delays, trauma, attachment problems, grief, behavior/conduct problems, chronic medical illness, and social anxieties. Working with dogs to help children in foster and residential placements is highlighted as well.

The equine segment introduces participants to different models of equine assisted psychotherapy, some of which do not require therapists to have horses of their own. The training highlights similarities in the relationship-oriented approach with both canines and equines, and the value of play.

The workshop gives participants a chance to explore this exciting, emerging field and learn how to develop, implement, and research their own programs. Ideas on working collaboratively with therapy dog handlers and trainers, as well as equine specialists, are included. Lecture material is illustrated with video examples, live demonstrations, and skills practice. The workshop is limited to ~20 participants. This training is for people only. Dogs and horses will be present and available for demonstrations and practice segments.

Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to…

• describe research-based benefits of the human-animal bond for adults and children.
• list at least 4 advantages of using canines in play therapy with children.
• define “animal assisted therapy” and “pet play therapy.”
• describe why positive dog training methods are essential in canine-assisted play therapy.
• understand basic classical conditioning and operant conditioning used in positive dog training.
• identify their own dogs’ natural play tendencies that could be incorporated into play therapy.
• protect themselves from the potential risks involved in this type of work.
• conduct at least 5 specific canine-assisted play therapy interventions for identified problems.
• explain the benefits of canine-assisted play therapy for children with attachment disruptions.
• identify at least two different ways to incorporate horses with play therapy work.
• describe the EAGALA model and how it can be used with play therapy.
• identify state-of-the-art resources for their own professional development and credentialing
  in this field.

Prerequisites
Participants should have prior experience conducting play therapy, including familiarity with both nondirective (child-centered) play therapy and directive play therapy approaches. They should also be familiar with behaviorism and appreciate the importance of the family system. They should also be comfortable around dogs. If you have questions about these prerequisites, please contact Dr. VanFleet. Canine/equine professionals wishing to attend should contact Dr. VanFleet for ways to meet these prerequisites.

Who Should Attend
This training is for play therapists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, psychiatrists, family therapists, school counselors, and other experienced mental health, medical, or educational professionals who work with children and families and who have an interest in the involvement of animals in play therapy. Canine and equine professionals who meet the prerequisites are also welcomed.

Presenters
See full biographies in the About the Presenters section.

Risë VanFleet, Ph.D., RPT-S, CDBC is a licensed Psychologist, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and Certified Dog Behavior Consultant with 35 years of clinical and leadership experience in a variety of settings. She is the president of the Family Enhancement & Play Therapy Center, Inc. in Boiling Springs, PA. She is a Past President/Board Chair of the Association for Play Therapy. She has authored numerous books and chapters on play therapy and Filial Therapy, and is featured on 4 DVDs. Risë has trained thousands worldwide, and she has received 6 prestigious awards for her training and writing. Dr. VanFleet is the author of the groundbreaking and award-winning book, Play Therapy with Kids & Canines, and articles and chapters on AAPT. She is an Approved Evaluator with the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizenâ Program, a full member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers , the Dog Writers Association of America, and the International Society for Anthrozoology. She is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. She is the Director of the Playful Pooch Program.

Kirrie is a trained play therapy dog. She is an 8-year-old rescued Border Collie-Hound mix. Kirrie will assist with the workshop, and other dogs will be available for work during the training as well.

Tracie Faa-Thompson, MA, AASW, PGdipNDPT joins us from the UK as a copresenter of this workshop. She is a specialist social worker in the adoption field and a BAPT registered Non-Directive Play Therapist. She uses a mix of individual, filial and group filial therapy methods in her work. Tracie is a practice teacher of social work students and a trainer in attachment theory and life story work. Her first career was working with young horses, and she was often their first experience of a rider. Interested in the Relationship and Partnership approach to working with horses, Tracie is a member of the Classical Riding Club, EAGALA, and Natural Horse People. For over 20 years she has been Chair of her local Riding for the Disabled branch. She also has 5 dogs. Tracie will show us ways of incorporating horses into play therapy work, even if you don't have horses of your own. Her relationship-oriented approach with horses closely matches the philosophy and practices advocated with dogs in this program, as well.

Sailor is a 12-year-old Gypsy Vanner whose work will be shown on DVD during the training, and other horses will be available for demonstrations.

Special Needs
We are committed to making workshops accessible to everyone. Please contact us if you have special needs. Training is held on a farm with contact with dogs, horses, and other animals.

Schedule
The training will run from 8:45 to 5:30 each day with one 3-hour evening session. The training has 30 actual training hours.

Continuing Education
The Family Enhancement & Play Therapy Center is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The FEAPT Center maintains responsibility for this program and its contents. The Family Enhancement & Play Therapy Center is approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors (5732) to offer continuing education credits to counselors. The FEAPT Center follows all CE guidelines. It is also an Association for Play Therapy (APT) Approved Provider 95-014. This program has been approved by a number of state social work boards (please contact us for this info). 27 continuing education credits will be awarded to participants who attend the entire training. Partial credit cannot be given. No exceptions can be made to this policy.

Dress
The training will involve work with dogs and horses in a farm environment, including outdoors. Please dress comfortably with this in mind. Rain gear and footwear for muddy areas are also advised.

Cancellation Policy:
$200 of the registration fee is a nonrefundable deposit that holds your reservation for this training. Registrations are accepted on a first-come-first-served basis. Fees include 4 days of training, handout book, light breakfast and lunch. Dinners are on your own.

The $200 deposit is nonrefundable. Written cancellations received 16 weeks prior to the training will receive a full refund of the balance of the fees. Cancellations received within 16 weeks of the training are subject to an additional $150 processing fee, with the remainder being refunded.

We regret that no refunds can be given within the 8 weeks preceding the training. When someone from the waiting list can substitute, credit toward future trainings may be given.

To Register...
Please register using our online store.
REGISTER NOW: 31 July - 3 August 2012, Lowick, England

or download the print brochure below and submit the registration form that is on it by mail.
DOWNLOAD BROCHURE: 31 July - 3 August 2012, Lowick, England

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