AAAIP

What do you think—is this dog smiling? Canine body language can be tricky—even seasoned dog lovers sometimes misinterpret key signals. ?? For handlers partnered with therapy or facility dogs, knowing how to decode your dog’s body language is essential. ?? Misinterpreting your dog’s emotional state can compromise their well-being and the safety of your interventions. Our Canine Body Language course is here to help you decode your dog’s signals with confidence. Learn to spot stress, improve your dog’s comfort, and build a stronger bond to ensure safe and effective animal-assisted interventions. ????

Do You Speak Dog? ?? Understanding canine body language is the key to building stronger bonds, improving communication, and creating safer interactions. For therapy and facility animal handlers, it’s more than a skill—it’s a must-have for success in animal-assisted interventions. That’s why we created a new course, Canine Body Language. Learn to interpret your dog’s signals with confidence, prevent stress, and elevate your partnership. ?? Discover how this course can transform your work with therapy animals. Read the full article to learn more:

We’ve all been there: a friend shares a cute photo of their dog and child, and you—the one who knows dog body language—immediately notice something others might miss. ?? For handlers working with therapy and facility animals, understanding subtle cues like a perked ear or a still tail is critical. It’s not just about safety; it’s about creating a stronger bond and advocating for your dog’s well-being. That’s why we created the Canine Body Language course—to give you the tools to understand your dog’s cues and ensure a positive partnership. ?? Understanding canine body language isn’t just a skill—it’s the foundation of advocacy, safety, and effective animal-assisted interventions. ??

Today, we honor all veterans, including those in animal-assisted interventions who bring healing and hope to others. Your dedication strengthens communities and promotes well-being. Thank you for your service. ?? #VeteransDay

A global survey commissioned by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and Zoetis reveals just how powerful the human-animal bond truly is. The survey of over 19,000 pet owners and 1,500 veterinarians across 10 countries and five continents shows just how strong the human-animal bond is, revealing that pets positively impact their owners’ health and that stronger bonds are connected to improved veterinary care around the globe. ??? These findings remind us of the importance of nurturing these connections—not just for the well-being of pets and people but as a foundation for impactful animal-assisted interventions. ?? #InternationalHumanAnimalBondDay

When it comes to therapy animals, keeping them costume-free is best for their well-being and the respect of their role. AAAIP encourages saving the dress-up fun for after hours to support animal welfare and professionalism in animal-assisted interventions. ??

Meet Dr. Taylor Chastain Griffin, our Executive Director at AAAIP, and Goose! ?? Affectionately known as ? Dr. Crazy Dog Lady ?, she's on a mission to make animal-assisted interventions more accessible, standardized, and respected as a professional, evidence-based practice. ?? With a unique blend of expertise in dog training and mental health counseling, Taylor Chastain Griffin, PhD has witnessed firsthand how animals like Goose can inspire wellness and foster deep, meaningful connections. ??

6 ways to ensure the mental health of therapy and facility animals: ?? Understand the five basic freedoms ?? Start with positive training ?? Never force your animal to go to work ?? Recognize & respond to body language ??? Advocate for your animal ?? Expand the body of knowledge A plethora of research highlights how therapy animals positively impact human mental health, but there’s still much to explore when it comes to the well-being of the therapy animals themselves. If you ever have the opportunity to participate in a research study focused on the mental health of therapy animals, we encourage you to consider it. Your involvement could enhance their well-being and advance the field of animal-assisted interventions. ????

As the year comes to a close, it’s crucial to objectively evaluate your Animal-Assisted Intervention (AAI) programming. ?? Join Dr. Aviva Vincent as she discusses effective strategies for assessing your program’s successes and challenges. Secure your spot today:?https://bit.ly/3KZAg3F

The benefits of Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) are undeniable, but it’s crucial to ensure the safety of therapy animals, handlers, and the people they interact with. Without appropriate standards, even the most well-intentioned handlers and organizations could unintentionally put this access at risk. By upholding the highest ethical standards, AAI can continue to responsibly support human health and well-being. ??