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"WHY IS A PROGRAM LIKE THIS NECESSARY? I AM ALREADY AN AAT HANDLER."
Your health, your partner's health, your family's health and the health of your clients just
for openers. The major objective of this training is to provide the safest AAT possible for everyone. Education to use everytime
you and your partner work. It gives you an opportunity to be the best you can be, a certified specialist, trained by a professional
AAT educator with a more diverse education in AAT than anyone in the country.
"I AM AN ADMINISTRATOR IN A HOSPITAL THAT HAS USED AAT FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. WHAT SIGNIFICANCE IS THERE
IN MY TAKING THIS COURSE?"
More than likely, the information you are working with has either
been by word-of-mouth from one or more sources or from a team that is working in your facility. Are you aware that your TDI
team was subject to a 20-minute 'snapshot' test for the animal? Compound that with the human part of the team who has no education
in any area of AAT or healthcare and you have a formula for disaster. There are nearly 5 million reported dog bites in this
country each year, and plenty of lawyers waiting for the next (just look at their advertisements). I am sure your Risk Management
department should consider this. You are in a situation where the cute idea of animals working there may actually be your
next litigation of a losing nature. AAT is important. Actually, very important, in providing adjunct care to your patients.
This program will provide you with knowledge, so maybe the next animal that enters your facility will have a background check.
Perhaps you want to do your own assessment. We can help you in that as well. We are professional in what we do.
"I TOOK THE REQUIRED HOME STUDY COURSE WHEN JOINING DELTA. ISN'T THAT THE SAME THING?"
Unfortunately no. That course only provides you with a minimal education for the beginner.
"I THOUGHT MY PARTNER WAS A CERTIFIED THERAPY ANIMAL?"
There
are over 25,000 AAT teams in the United States, and at least 25,000 are NOT certified. They are registered with organizations
like the Delta Society or TDI.
"HOW IS CERTIFIED DIFFERENT
OR BETTER THAN REGISTERED?"
The nationally accepted 20-minute testing (commonly known as
the CGC with a wheelchair) is what most teams have completed to be registered. In contrast, our teams with DOGTORS AAT attend
an 8-week course and the animals are observed and tested for at least 15 hours, so there is absolutely no comparison in evaluation
or education.
"DOES THIS MEAN
MY ANIMAL PARTNER AND I WILL BE CERTIFIED IF I TAKE THIS COURSE?"
No. Just the
handler. For the both of you to be certified, you would need to attend a training program designed just for that purpose.
Limited trainers are often too far away for this to be workable by most teams. For instance, DOGTORS is located in Central
Southwest Ohio and the training is provided in the Springfield/Dayton area.
"MY
DOG AND I ARE WITH T.D.I.. WILL TAKING THIS COURSE CHANGE WHAT WE ARE ALLOWED TO DO WHEN WORKING?"
No. TDI, as I'm sure you are aware, has many restrictions in place. This program is designed to educate you, especially
if you ever change to a group with less restrictions or you consider doing this independently (separately insured). I will
give you some advice on AAT groups: look at what you can or can't do, like letting a client play ball or give your partner
a treat. Not every AAT group is equal, and some are limited to just petting. Ask yourself WHAT you and your partner want to
do and seek out those groups that best use your desires and talents. As an example, an alternative to TDI to consider is a
group called Therapy Dogs Incorporated (not the same as TDI).
I
THOUGHT IT WAS MORE IMPORTANT FOR THE DOG TO BE EDUCATED THAN THE HUMAN?
An excellent question,
but you may feel insulted with the answer. In AAT, the animals generally know what to do. They do not need educated as much
as tested and observed over an appropriate length of time. The handler is AAT's problem. The CAT program is here to train
you, allowing you to show a facility where you wish to provide AAT, a certification of your education. This
is an absolute plus. Keep in mind that most incidents in AAT are due to handler error.
"IS
THIS COURSE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE PROVIDED BY UNVERSITIES?"
Yes, and no. Most other courses of
study in AAT tend to be more specific as to use and statistics. Seldom will you find safety issues discussed in depth because
of possible backlash from AAT and other animal groups. This program is not subject to favoritism and will provide the information
regardless of pressure from other groups. DOGTORS has maintained the highest level of respect in the medical community and
will endeavor to present the facts without outside manipulation. There may be issues within the CAT program that you disagree
with, but that is not a problem. Regardless of how you feel or what you practice, you will at least be educated on the subject.
On the other hand, DOGTORS is an education provider, and like a university, we do not insure you for what you do in
your work or with your knowledge, but we do recognize you as a certified AAT specialist by having met the criteria. Any liability
is still through a registering group, provided by your employer or purchased as an individual policy.
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