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iaedp Foundation Webinar Series: Animals as Partners in Healing: A SoulPaws Clinical Foundations Series in Animal-Assisted Interventions

About this event

This introductory session establishes the conceptual and theoretical foundations of Animal-Assisted Intervention (AAI). Participants will learn the history and origins of the human-animal bond, core terminology, and the theoretical underpinnings of the field, along with the distinctions between its major forms: Animal-Assisted Therapy, Animal-Assisted Activities, and Animal-Assisted Education. The session will also introduce culturally responsive and inclusive frameworks for AAI practice, equipping clinicians with a solid grounding before moving into applied and ethical considerations in later sessions.

The first module explores the conceptual foundations of AAI, theoretical underpinnings of the  field, terminology, and differentiation between types of AAI (ex: Animal-Assisted Therapy, Animal-Assisted Activities, and Animal-Assisted Education). This module will also include information on the history of AAI and the human-animal connection.   The second module will focus on best practices for AAI and ethical treatment of animals when partnering with an animal.   The third module will explore ways to implement AAI and practical applications of AAI with regulatory disorders (which includes eating disorders).  

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  • PATRICIA FLAHERTY FISCHETTE, LCSW, Ph.D.
    Sessions
    • S1APH : Session 1: Foundations of Animal-Assisted Interventions: Origins, Definitions, and the Healing Power of the Human-Animal Connection
    • S2EPAAI : Session 2: Ethical Practice in Animal-Assisted Interventions: Animal Welfare, Competencies, and Clinical Objectives
    • S3AAIP : Session 3: Animal-Assisted Interventions in Practice: Applications for Eating Disorders and Behavioral Health
  • Shannon Kopp
    Shannon Kopp (she/her) is the Founder and Executive Director of SoulPaws Recovery Project, a 501(c)(3) providing free mental health support by blending trauma-aware, clinician-led care with animal-assisted interventions. SoulPaws works from a simple but under-utilized premise: animals are key co-regulators of human emotion and can be powerful partners in healing — particularly for people facing regulatory disorders such as eating disorders, substance use disorders, anxiety disorders, and depressive disorders. Shannon is the author of Pound for Pound: A Story of One Woman's Recovery and the Shelter Dogs Who Loved Her Back to Life, published by William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins Publishers. She holds an MFA in Nonfiction Writing from Pacific University and has written for CNN, Maria Shriver, The Huffington Post, Psychology Today and more. She is a member of the HarperCollins Speakers Bureau and speaks on a variety of mental health and animal welfare topics. She lives in San Diego with her husband, children, and her adorable rescue dog, Luna.
    Sessions
    • S1APH : Session 1: Foundations of Animal-Assisted Interventions: Origins, Definitions, and the Healing Power of the Human-Animal Connection
    • S2EPAAI : Session 2: Ethical Practice in Animal-Assisted Interventions: Animal Welfare, Competencies, and Clinical Objectives
    • S3AAIP : Session 3: Animal-Assisted Interventions in Practice: Applications for Eating Disorders and Behavioral Health
  • Abby Sarrett-Cooper
    Sessions
    • S1APH : Session 1: Foundations of Animal-Assisted Interventions: Origins, Definitions, and the Healing Power of the Human-Animal Connection
  • Tristan Barsky, PsyD, ABPP, CEDS
    I am a native French speaker from Montréal, Canada, and serve as the Interim Director of Clinical Services for Johns Hopkins University Student Health and Well-Being Mental Health Services, with oversight of counseling, training, assessment, occupational therapy, and neurodiversity services across our three clinic locations in Baltimore and Washington, DC. I hold a Psy.D. with a concentration in Severe and Persistent Mental Illness from Long Island University and completed a postdoctoral residency in the residential treatment of eating disorders at The Renfrew Center. I am Board Certified in Clinical Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology and have extensive experience providing, supervising, and directing care for adolescents and adults with eating disorders and serious mental illness across psychiatric and higher education settings. My professional focus includes expanding access to care for underserved groups, promoting mental health awareness, integrating services with campus resources, supporting marginalized learners, advancing professional development and supervision, and fostering innovation in clinical service delivery.
    Sessions
    • S2EPAAI : Session 2: Ethical Practice in Animal-Assisted Interventions: Animal Welfare, Competencies, and Clinical Objectives
  • Wendy Foulds Mathes
    Dr. Wendy Foulds Mathes is a dedicated clinician, educator, and advocate with extensive experience in eating disorder (ED) research and treatment. With a strong passion for training and education, Wendy has played a key role in developing a national continuing education program aimed at advancing knowledge and improving care within the field. A committed advocate, Dr. Mathes has been actively involved in advocacy efforts with the Eating Disorder Coalition for many years, working to elevate awareness, influence policy, and support individuals impacted by eating disorders. In addition to this work, Wendy maintains a private practice specializing in the treatment of athletes with eating disorders, bringing a nuanced understanding of the unique challenges faced by this population. Through a combination of clinical practice, educational leadership, and sustained advocacy, Wendy contributes meaningfully to the advancement of eating disorder care and prevention.
    Sessions
    • S3AAIP : Session 3: Animal-Assisted Interventions in Practice: Applications for Eating Disorders and Behavioral Health

CE Info

Offering 3 CE Credit Hours

Continuing Education Credit Hours are available from the following organizations

Virtual

Joint Accreditation
Joint Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, CE Learning Systems is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Interprofessional Continuing Education
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.
Commission on Dietetic Registration
Completion of this RD/DTR profession-specific or IPCE activity awards CPEUs (1 IPCE credits = 1 CPEU). If the activity is dietetics related but not targeted to RDs or DTRs, CPEUs may be claimed which are commensurate with participation in contact hours (1 hour/60 minutes = 1 CPEU). RDs and DTRs are to select activity type 102 in their Activity Logs. Performance Indicator selection is at the learner’s discretion.
Physicians (ACCME) Credit Designation Statement
CE Learning Systems designates this live activity for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Nurses (ANCC) Credit Designation Statement
Successful completion of this program qualifies for up to 3 contact hours for nurses.
American Psychological Association
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.
Association of Social Work Boards
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, CE Learning Systems is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive up to 3 clinical continuing education credits.
National Board of Certified Counselors
iaedp™ is approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), provider number 5912.
New York Education Department's State Board for Social Work
CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers. #0060.
New York Education Department Board of Creative Arts Therapy
CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board of Creative Arts Therapy as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists. #CAT-0008
New York Education Department for Licensed Mental Health Counselors
CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0072.
New York Education Department Board for Licensed Psychoanalysts
CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychoanalysts as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychoanalysts. #P-0031.
New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology
CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists. #PSY-0016.
New York Education Department's State Board for Marriage and Family Therapy
CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Marriage and Family Therapy as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists. #MFT-0045.

Event Learning Objectives

  • Describe how to develop culturally responsive and inclusive frameworks for AAI.
  • Discuss the historical and theoretical underpinnings of involving therapy animals in clinical practice.
  • Explain the way forms of AAI interact with trauma from both a theoretical and practical perspective.
  • Describe the diversity of human experience with regard to trauma and AAI.

Policies

Refund Policy

iaedp Foundation does not provide refunds for events and courses. If you believe your case is an extreme circumstance, approvals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may be possible less 5% credit card processing fee. Please email continuingeducation@iaedpfoundation.com with your information, including name, event/course, amount paid, and reason for request. To review, click the Refund Policy.

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iaedp Foundation Webinar Series: Animals as Partners in Healing: A SoulPaws Clinical Foundations Series in Animal-Assisted Interventions
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  • CE Hours
    3
  • Type
    Live Interactive Webinar
  • Date
    October 01 - December 03, 2026

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