Cats in AAS

Course's structure

Content

Modules

Structure of the course

This course is fully focused on understanding cat behavior, as well as their insertion in AAS. We will not address behavioral problems. We will discuss a comprehensive picture of the cat and its needs with you, so that the living and working conditions of the cat do not harm its well-being.

The course is split in modules and its lectures are physical and online.

• Introduction to the course ( online) + explanation PADA test for cats

• PADA test (in case you already have a cat); the test occurs before the course starts. If you don't have a cat yet when you start the course, the PADA test discount is valid up to one year since the start date of the course.

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• Module 1: How cats can help (online)

  • In practice

  • General

  • Scientific background

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• Module 2: The cat in AAS (in person)

  • How far can a cat be inserted?

  • How to insert the cat based on disciplines and target groups

  • Scenarios of possibilities

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• Module 3: Body language of cats (online)

  • Body postures

  • Stress and excitement signals

  • How can I help my cat with stress?

  • Purring: interpretation of that

  • Practicing objective behavioral observation

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• Module 4: Training a cat (online)

  • How do cats learn?

  • Reward

  • Timing

  • Shaping

  • Luring

  • Practicing with your own cat

  • Do As I Do with cats (how can that be implemented in AAS?)

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• Module 5: The cat as a visitor animal (in person)

  • Selection (choice of a kitten/accommodation/practice establishment)

  • Know your target audience

  • Expectation pattern

  • Socialization in general

  • Adopting an adult cat

  • Multiple cats in the house and stress factors

  • Developmental stages of a cat

  • How can I prepare my cat for AAS from the beginning?

  • Setting up a practice

  • To an unknown location with a cat (what should be taken into account?)

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• Module 6: The handler (online)

  • Requirements to become a handler

  • PADA test explanation

  • Involving the client during a session

  • What problems can a handler encounter?

  • The responsibility of a handler before, during, and after a session

  • Hygiene

  • Health

  • Well-being and pain

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• Certification

• Exam (optional)

The exams are optional, as even people who are not yet planning to have their cat inserted can take this course. The exams can always be taken at a later date. However, they are necessary to be a certified AAS team. There are additional costsassociated with it (€50 excluding VAT). The exams are conducted online. Every two years, a recertification takes place, during which your team receives a renewed certificate. During the recertification, we also organize a day for refresher training.

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You will receive assignments after each module so that you can apply the learned content into practice.

Conditions

• People who already have a cat and want to insert it must do the PADA test before starting the course. In this way, we can get to know the cat and make an estimation of its reactions during and after the course when it is exposed under certain situations. 

• If you don't have a cat yet, can also attend the course. Should you acquire your cat in a later stage of your education, we will plan the PADA test with you later on (our course has a discount on the PADA test Cats, which is valid up to one year after the start course date. Should you undertake the PADA test after this period, the full test price -175€ incl.VAT - will be charged).

• Minimum 4 participants, maximum 6 (the course will only occur if there are 4 registered students. If not, it will be postponed).

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• You will become certified AAS team after:

  • you followed all the modules

  • delivered the assignments within the established deadlines

  • attended to your exam

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• After the completion of the course, regardless if you take the exam or not, you will receive a certificate of attendance (please note: this does not certify you as an AAS team)

Quality label