Management of Animals in Animal Assisted Interventions

A.Y. 2024/2025
3
Max ECTS
32
Overall hours
SSD
AGR/19
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
This elective course is aimed at those who want to acquire competencies on how to manage animals involved in Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI). The course provides basic knowledge about AAI and the human-animal relationship, and will offer the students the opportunity to take part in some experiences of Animal Assisted Interventions.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will be able to assess the suitability for Animal Assisted Interventions of dogs, horses and donkeys. The student will also be able to promote animal welfare during AAI using appropriate handling and training methods. Finally, the student will learn how to team-work with the professionals involved in the interventions.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Lectures:
Fundamentals and characteristics of the human-animal relationship (4 hours)
History and presentation of AAI (2 hours)
Definition of AAA, EAA and TAA (2 hours)
Guidelines, national and international regulatory framework, including animal welfare (3 hours)
The National Reference Centre for Animal Assisted Interventions (1 hour)
Roles and responsibilities of the professional figures and operators involved - The team (4 hours)
Practicals
Working environments: characteristics of users and AAI experiences (4 hours)
AAI experiences (12 hours)
Prerequisites for admission
There are no prerequisites, however, in order to achieve the expected learning objectives, it is necessary to have a basic knowledge in anatomy, physiology and ethology.
Teaching methods
The course offers theoretical approaches, with classroom lectures, and practical ones, the latter in the form of visits at centres offering animal assisted interventions with dogs, horses and donkeys.
Teaching Resources
The teaching material used and discussed in class will be available on the My Ariel platform.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Examination method: written test.
Type of test: 40 multiple-choice questions, covering all the topics of the course. The time given for the written test is 60 minutes.
Assessment parameters:
- each correct answer corresponds to 1.3 points
- the written test in total corresponds to 30 points
- anyone scoring at least 18 points passes the written test
Number and types of tests contributing to the final mark: The final mark is expressed in thirtieths. There are 7 ordinary appeals.
Method of communicating the results of the test: Following the communication of the result of the written exam by email, the student may accept or reject the grade.
Means of testing differentiated between attending and non-attending students: none.
AGR/19 - ANIMAL SCIENCE - University credits: 3
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 16 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Friday, 9am - 10 am
Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, via dell'Università 6, Lodi