Animal-Assisted Learning
ENROL NOW1-Year Online Training in Animal Assisted Learning (AAL) and Animal Assisted Psychoeducation (AAE)
What is Animal Assisted Learning (AAL)?
Animal Assisted Learning (AAL) is a powerful form of animal assisted education that uses the human-animal connection to support social and emotional learning with animals and enhance personal and social development. As part of the broader field of animal assisted services, Animal Assisted Learning involves structured, goal-directed interactions with animals to build life skills, emotional intelligence, mindfulness, communication, and self-awareness.
This experiential and psychoeducational approach features animals as facilitators, supports, and role models in the learning process, benefiting children, adults, and diverse communities. It reflects the growing movement of animals helping people and animals assisting people with disabilities to thrive through meaningful connection.
Once trained in Animal Assisted Learning with the Institute’s unique education, training and supervision, practitioners can apply their knowledge and skills across a wide range of settings, including home-based businesses, schools, learning environments, and community organisations. In Australia, government grants are also available to help establish animal assisted services in schools, supporting the integration of Animal Assisted Learning into educational frameworks.
LIVE AND INTERACTIVE ONLINE TRAINING (200 Hours)
This training is designed for teachers, youth workers, community workers, leadership consultants, disability support workers and animal enthusiasts who wish to include the human-animal connection into their learning, education, personal development or professional development programs or services.
Who is this Training For?
The AAL Online Training welcomes students from Australia and English-speaking countries. It is suited for individuals passionate about creating impactful learning environments where animals play a central role in facilitating growth and education.
How is the Training Delivered?
The Animal Assisted Learning Foundation Training is conducted live via Zoom by Meg Kirby and Institute faculty.
Program Highlights
200 Learning Hours:
- 126 Contact Hours through live classes and education support and supervision.
- 74 Accrued Learning Hours through practice, reading, and homework.
A flexible format enabling participants to balance learning with work and personal commitments.
Students will complete filmed submissions of AAL practice and animal-relating skills to demonstrate competence, receive feedback and support reflective practice.
THE FIRST STEP CHANGES EVERYTHING.
Learning Objectives
Participants will learn to:
Apply the AWARE™ framework, tailored to facilitate relational and developmental learning.
Create inclusive and safe environments for learning with animals.
Design programs that align with learning and educational goals and target skill development.
Build reflective practices to evaluate and improve the impact of AAL programs.
Investment
$6000
(Plus GST)
Paid upfront
$2000
(Plus GST)
Paid in 3 installments
“This training has been transformative for me as a retired social worker seeking meaningful activity. It deepened my understanding of the healing connections between animals, nature, and people, while emphasizing ethical, mutually beneficial practices. The mix of theory, hands-on learning, and expertly curated resources provided a rich and supportive environment, complemented by Meg’s inspiring clarity and generosity. The personal development sessions and encouragement from both trainers and peers built my confidence to return to counseling, now with enhanced skills and a renewed sense of purpose. Thank you to Meg and the Institute team for an enjoyable and excellent learning and development experience.”
Jules
Your Attendance Commitments
- Weekly Classes: 3 hours of live participation, camera on, with additional 2 hours of reading and homework.
- Technology Requirements: Reliable internet, private study space, and a laptop or computer.
- Practical Work: Complete minimum of Six clinical/practice sessions with case notes, supervised by Institute trainers, plus regular class based practice, including submission of filmed practice AAP sessions.
- Education Support Supervision sessions: Attend six ESS sessions (in-person on zoom)
What You Will Learn
- An understanding of Animal Assisted Learning and their application across various client cohorts and settings.
- Knowledge of ethical and safe practices in working with animals in social-emotional, psychoeducational and personal development focused services and programs. Students can specialize in leadership in supervision, as relevant.
- Techniques to design and implement experiential learning sessions and services that engage participants in learning goals or educational goals to achieve measurable outcomes.
- Skills in incorporating mindfulness, personal development and social-emotional learning with animals as supports and change agents.
- Awareness and knowledge of animal studies, animal skills, animal welfare, and species-specific needs to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of animals in AAL settings.
Includes:
- 200 Hours of Study (120 Trainer-led, 6 Supervision Hours, 74 Accrued (self-study hours), including final submission of filmed AAP session
- Animal Studies including final filmed submission of demonstration of animal-relating skills
What Support Will You Get?
- Membership in a community of practitioners.
- Access to supervision and ongoing professional development.
- Opportunities for advanced training and conference participation.
Why Train With Us?
We are industry leaders in Animal Assisted Education and Learning with over a decade of experience. Our program prioritizes:
- Professional excellence, animal ethics, animal welfare and animal advocacy
- Ethical collaboration between humans and animals.
- High-quality, trauma-informed training grounded in relational learning principles.
- Ongoing support and a global community of practitioners dedicated to innovative, animal-inclusive education.
- Founded by Meg Kirby, a pioneer in relational and humanistic practice learning models, equips practitioners with tools for transformative education that is innovative, creative, and effective for diverse cohorts and settings.
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