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IMPROVING EDUCATION IN ANIMAL-ASSISTED SERVICES

inesgraciosa
Nov 21, 2023
2 min read

Updated: Mar 18

ERASMUS+ PROJECT #2023-1-PT01-KA122-ADU-000123601

Science is beginning to explain that connecting to animals and nature is fundamental for Health and Wellness.

Animal-Assisted Services (AAS) include the whole area of using companion animals to help people, including Animal-Assisted Therapies, Animal-Assisted Learning, Service Animals, Emotional support animals, Medical Detection Animals, etc.

In Portugal, the sector of AAS is an innovative activity, not structured or organized. We have an urgent need to improve the education, competencies, and quality of work, getting better knowledge about the latest Programs using companion animals for therapeutic or learning purposes, guaranteeing successful and safe achievement of the clients. Encouraging partnership and cooperation, we will improve the share and spread of insights and we will look for a greater interest from the public, about an innovative, ecological, and sustainable healing approach that are the AAS.

We need to comprehend better what we do in collaboration with animals, and their environment, that leads to a healing process. Is it the animal itself, or a combination of the animal and its environment? Is it its power to bond with another living being?

We believe that networking, connecting people and connecting knowledge is the best way to move forward in this great field of AAS. So, we applied for this amazing Project "Improving Education in Animal-Assisted Services" for ERASMUS+ Funding and we did it!!!!.

It is going to be fantastic for sure these 18 months of adventures and exchange of knowledge!!!

TRAINING in SWEDEN

This September, we already participated for four days in an amazing training activity in Sweden at Stall Kungsgården in Stockholm.

A group of 4 members of TheKidsFellows-Research Group in Anthrozoology (TKF) Organization’s staff, has already benefited the sharing of the latest insights in Equine-Assisted Services (EAS) with an international group, within the Annual Meeting of European Equine Assisted Therapy Network (EEATN).

During Training, our staff has shared their knowledge about the benefits of all kinds of these Services while riding, or on the ground, while interacting with the horses, in Sweden. They also gained new perceptions about EAS profiting from the round tables and discussions and workshops they joined at the Dr. Pia Stall Kungsgården Stables. Until the end of the Project, all staff participating in this Project IMPROVING EDUCATION IN AAS will prepare educational materials in cooperation with hosting Institutions, in Lithuania, Sweden, Spain, and Germany! Join us and participate too!!