Animal-Assisted Therapy

This introductory course incorporates the animal-assisted therapy approach while developing students’ understanding of clients’ condition from a developmental perspective, in terms of developing or maintaining skills. Topics include identifying characteristics of adaptation issues, exploring the adaptation process in individuals and families, analyzing influencing and protective factors, and action plans for individual needs.

This course explores ethical and professional issues and standards in the field of animal-assisted therapy. It examines the scope of intervention, analyzing client needs, and situating zootherapy within broader professional contexts. Topics include ethical conduct, implementing a zootherapy program, safe work practices, and developing personalized intervention action plans.

This course focuses on the animal-training component of animal-assisted therapy, introducing students to key concepts related to training and communicating with animals and the clinical use of animals as partners in the therapeutic process. Topics include positive training methods, decoding animal behaviours and communication, evaluating animals for suitability for animal-assisted therapy interventions, and the safe and ethical practices for integrating animals into interventions.

This course explores the fundamental needs of animal-assisted therapy animal partners, focusing on ensuring their physical and emotional well-being. Students will learn to identify species-specific needs, appropriate feeding methods, and practices for ensuring the animal’s health. Topics include animal developmental stages, hygiene, health care, and ethical considerations in animal-assisted therapy interventions.

This course focuses on integrating and applying previously acquired skills in animal-assisted therapy, through the design and implementation of therapeutic activities. Students will learn to assess client needs, select appropriate intervention methods, and adapt the environment to meet the needs of the activity. Topics include multidisciplinary collaboration and the intervention triad.

This final course focuses on designing and implementing an integrative animal-assisted therapy project, integrating and applying all previously acquired competencies. Students will plan, carry out, and evaluate a therapeutic activity plan, creating for specific client needs. Topics include ethical practice, project management, clinical use of animals in animal-assisted therapy, and administrative responsibilities. This course involves supervised fieldwork, giving students practical experience in real-world settings, while developing professional autonomy.

Applicants must have a Secondary V diploma or equivalent or have acquired knowledge and skills deemed sufficient by the College for potential success in the program.  More specifically, they must show proof of:

• A Diploma of High School Studies OR
• A College Diploma or a University Degree OR
• A partial high school program, coupled with a recommendation from a current or former employer that you would benefit from pursuing your education at the post-secondary level.

And

The applicant must meet one of the following requirements:

• Have interrupted studying full-time for at least two consecutive terms or one school year OR
• Be covered under an agreement between the college and an employer, or benefiting from a government program OR
• Have completed at least one year of post-secondary studies over a period of one year or more OR
• Hold a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS/DEP)

• The applicant holds a DEC or an AEC in Special Education Techniques, Special Care Counselling, Early Childhood Education, Criminology Intervention, Social Service, Social Work, or a DEC in Nursing.
  OR
• Training deemed to be equivalent by the institution.

To take part in the instructor-led virtual classes, you will need a personal computer with these minimal requirements:

• PC compatible with Windows 10
• Webcam with microphone
• High-speed internet (at least 2 megabits)

Having an animal is not a requirement for admission into the program. Access to an animal is required for the integrative project work placement hours at the end of the program.

The first step is to sign up with the “Attend an information session” button at the top of this page. During the information session, which might be in a group or individually, the pedagogical counsellor for the program will explain in detail the admission requirements, how the program works and the application process.

After attending an information session, a link will be sent to you to access the Omnivox online application for Champlain Saint-Lambert.  Using the “Submit an Application for Admission” button, select the semester in which you would like to register, the Pathway (Continuing education or RAC), the program in which you would like to register and your legal status. Continue to follow the instructions and provide the required information.

Here is the list of required documents you will be asked to upload:

Status in Canada documents, meaning one of the following:

• Québec birth certificate OR
• Canadian birth certificate AND a valid Quebec RAMQ card OR
• Canadian citizenship card/certificate AND a valid Quebec RAMQ Card OR
• Permanent resident card AND a CSQ (Certificate of Selection of Quebec) or a valid Quebec RAMQ card in the event that you did not receive a CSQ

Schooling documents (Secondary school, college, or university certificates and transcripts for the highest level of schooling completed, plus any other certifications relevant to the program)

Once you have submitted all required documents, no further action is needed from you. Our admissions team will be reviewing your application, and we will contact you by email as soon as the admission verdict is available. We will also contact you by email should our admissions team require additional documentation or information before an admission decision can be made.

Should you have any questions after submitting your documents and completing your application, please do not hesitate to contact the Continuing Education Department/your program’s dedicated administrative support staff member.