Recognizing the critical role of animals in human development, well-being and resilience
Over the last twenty years, studies exploring the links between human well-being, and social functioning among people living with companion animals suggest that it is time to expand the definition of the human environment beyond human-human interaction and human–human organization to a more inclusive perspective. As a matter of fact, it is estimated that more than 75% of US households keep a companion animal and that children are more likely to grow up in a home with a companion animal than with a sibling or second parent. Indeed, across age, race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and life condition studies have found that a majority of people who live with animals consider them to be members of their family and perceive those animals as important, supportive participants in their lives.
It is the mission of ANIMAL SYSTEMS to include animals as a dynamic part of the human social landscape.that may be the key to our innate healing and adaptive capacities, and to recognize the promising potential in the development of effective, integrated animal-assisted intervention strategies by making contact with animals a standard intervention in human services. Further, the goal of ANIMAL SYSTEMS is to provide evidence-based training and consultation to human service providers to meet the unique conceptual and clinical challenges to the delivery of animal-assisted interventions in mental health.
Although a sizable percentage of human service providers incorporate animals– often their own pets –in their work with clients, the vast majority of practitioners are doing so without necessary training in human-animal relationships, animal-assisted intervention methods, and animal screening and evaluation. ANIMAL SYSTEMS trainings are structured to fill this gap by providing human service providers with both foundational and focused information. Trainings provide comprehensive exposure to techniques, approaches, and experiential methodology for implementing animal interactions in all aspects of human services to help clients make functional and sustainable change.
It is the mission of ANIMAL SYSTEMS to include animals as a dynamic part of the human social landscape.that may be the key to our innate healing and adaptive capacities, and to recognize the promising potential in the development of effective, integrated animal-assisted intervention strategies by making contact with animals a standard intervention in human services. Further, the goal of ANIMAL SYSTEMS is to provide evidence-based training and consultation to human service providers to meet the unique conceptual and clinical challenges to the delivery of animal-assisted interventions in mental health.
Although a sizable percentage of human service providers incorporate animals– often their own pets –in their work with clients, the vast majority of practitioners are doing so without necessary training in human-animal relationships, animal-assisted intervention methods, and animal screening and evaluation. ANIMAL SYSTEMS trainings are structured to fill this gap by providing human service providers with both foundational and focused information. Trainings provide comprehensive exposure to techniques, approaches, and experiential methodology for implementing animal interactions in all aspects of human services to help clients make functional and sustainable change.