Gaby Dufresne-Cyr has been teaching animal behaviour and training for over 10 years. Gaby also taught animal behaviour and training at La Pocatière college in the animal-assisted therapy AEC program. The following course offers similar content with a focus on practical application. At the Dogue Shop, the Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) program is designed to teach students how to incorporate the animal into their professional practice.

The Animal-Assisted Therapy course developed by Gaby Dufresne-Cyr from the Dogue Academy addresses the dog as the primary assistant mainly because Canis familiaris is statistically the most common animal seen in animal-assisted therapy programs. Other species such as the horse and exotic animals will be discussed and included in the hands-on class environment.

The three-week full-time course will cover, but is not limited to, the canine ethogram, behaviour modification protocols, learning theories, emotional projection, legal responsibilities, program planning, design and use of animal evaluation forms, and practical AAT exercises.
This program is different from Animal Behaviour Apprenticeship. Dogue Academy is a recognized school by Revenue Quebec and Employment and Social Development Canada which means you can deduct course fees on your income tax reports. 

Our students are human sciences practitioners from the health-care system, teachers, therapists, other professionals (as long as they are members of an order or association), and applied human sciences, social sciences, or psychology university students. Participants are required to submit an animal-assisted therapy or animal-assisted activity outline which will serve as their learning model. The course will allow participants to develop and refine their respective programs.

The Animal-Assisted Therapy program is divided into three parts: theoretical, practical, and professional. Please note, we do not give prices over the phone or the internet. We will discuss content, CEUs, price, and payments in person during our interview (see registration below). Registration is ongoing; therefore, we function on a first-come, first-served basis. The AAT program is given once a year at approximately the same time of year, in July to early August. This 100h course is divided as follow: 25h theory and 75h training

AAT Goals
1. Canine language
2. Learning theory  
3. Behaviour modification
4. Human-animal bond
5. Casefile preparation
6. Program planning
7. Intervention situation
And much, much more... 

Registration
Send a one-page letter of intent (why you want to include a pet partner in your human practice) and your curriculum vitae or other achievements demonstrating your interest in Animal-Assisted Therapy. Following the reception of your documents, Gaby will send you an email to schedule an interview. 

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Accommodation
Should you travel from outside the province or far enough you would wish to stay in Montreal during classes, please visit the Dogue's Accommodations page or during your interview, mention to Gaby you wish to stay at the apartment. Extra charges will apply.