Canines Assisting in Health

Catalog description

Students in this hybrid course will learn about the valuable roles animals have in human health. The human-animal connection, including theories related to this bond, and the biological, psychological, and social benefits humans derive from this connection will form a foundation to gain understanding of the valuable role animals have in human health. Grounded in this developing understanding, students will advance their knowledge of animals, with a focus on canines, who are trained and educated to be a service dog and to be partnered with a person who has visible or invisible disabilities; canines who participate in animal assisted interventions; and, the benefits of “personal” or “companion” pets, for human health. Students will explore indications and expected outcomes for canines to support human, and will gain understanding of canine education, training and welfare for these different canine roles, including experiential learning within the classroom community and the service learning communities. Through ongoing reflection of experiential leaning and co-creating knowledge in the classroom-learning-community to support and enhance their service- learning, students will gain understanding of the meaning and value of canines assisting in health, personally, and, in the University and Assistance Animal Community.