AAI 4 | Embodied Social Work Practice with Animal Partners Experiential
Summary
Please note that this experiential course is conducted in-person in Dexter, Michigan. Participants completing this course should plan to be on site on June 13th and 14th, 2026.
The purpose of this course is to practice reflexive and embodied awareness with animals and human partners - the interpersonal skills needed to become culturally sensitive practitioners of Animal Assisted Interventions. Through experiential exercises in individual and group modalities, this course provides the opportunity for participants to practice the essential skills of mindfulness, self-awareness, observation, engagement, interpretation, assessment, and intervention in the context of Animal Assisted Interventions.
The purpose of this course is to practice reflexive and embodied awareness with animals and human partners - the interpersonal skills needed to become culturally sensitive practitioners of Animal Assisted Interventions. Through experiential exercises in individual and group modalities, this course provides the opportunity for participants to practice the essential skills of mindfulness, self-awareness, observation, engagement, interpretation, assessment, and intervention in the context of Animal Assisted Interventions.
- Describe an example of a sensory mindfulness exercise to apply with others in a natural setting.
- Apply knowledge of animal ethology, welfare, arousal signals through interactions with various species of farm animals.
- Practice observation with animal partners to build effective assessment skills.
- Practice engagement with animal partners to build effective assessment skills.
- Apply reflexive and embodied awareness of animal communication.
- Apply group practice skills with human and animal partners.
- Apply reflexive intervention strategies.
- Facilitate social/ emotional learning through a large group challenge activity with animal partners.
Agenda
| Date | Time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| June 8, 2026 | 6:30pm - 7:30pm | Orientation Webinar |
| June 13, 2026 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Three things - three senses mindfulness exercise and discussion of mindfulness interventions |
| June 13, 2026 | 2:00pm - 4:00pm | Learning Animal ethology, welfare and arousal signals though a farm tour that center a variety of animal species |
| June 13, 2026 | 4:00pm - 5:00pm | Experiential practice in observation and engagement with chosen animal partners |
| June 14, 2026 | 9:00am - 9:30am | Embody your animal exercise |
| June 14, 2026 | 9:30am - 10:30am | Small Group Challenge Experience with Animal Partners to practice interpersonal group practice skills |
| June 14, 2026 | 10:30am - 12:00pm | Animal Assisted Therapy Demonstration session with class participants |
| June 14, 2026 | 12:00pm - 12:30pm | Social/emotional learning through a large group animal challenge experience |
Instructor
Laura L. Sandershybrid certificate program
Sessions
- 6/8/2026 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
- 6/13/2026 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- 6/14/2026 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
CE Contact Hours
- 7.5 regular in-person
- 1 regular synchronous interactive
Location
Lovingway Farm
Dexter, Michigan
Dexter, Michigan
