
International Institute
for Animal Assisted Play Therapy®
Strengthening Relationships with Playful Human-Animal Interactions
Acclaimed Animal Assisted Play Therapy™ Book
Winner of the 2018 Maxwell Award.
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Animal Assisted Play Therapy® (AAPT) adds the elements of playfulness, humor, and lightness to the therapeutic process.
Training & Certification
Learn more and work toward becoming a certified AAPT professional.
Online Courses
Train at your own pace.
Online Courses
Learn about animal-related online courses we currently have available including course descriptions and registration information.
Supporting the AAPT community throughout the world since 2005.
The International Institute for Animal Assisted Play Therapy (IIAAPT) was founded to provide cutting-edge training, certification, and continuing professional development opportunities for mental health and animal professionals interested in the integration of psychotherapy, play therapy, family therapy, ethology, animal assisted therapy, and animal welfare, or in providing support services to therapists who wish to conduct AAPT. The practice of AAPT requires a complex set of skills for both therapists and the animals who assist them.
The IIAAPT has bases in Pennsylvania, USA and in Northumberland, UK. This site provides information about training programs, online courses, certification, and other resources. It also provides information related to competence in AAPT and its ethical practice.
About AAPT
Animal Assisted Play Therapy™ (AAPT) adds the elements of playfulness, humor, and lightness to the therapeutic process, and can be helpful for clients of all ages. It focuses heavily on relationships: how the relationship between therapist and animal must be developed in positive, mutually respectful ways in which the animals have a voice and choice whenever possible.
In Person Training
Learn about our highly acclaimed state-of-the art training programs for professionals, held in several locations internationally every year.
Blog
AAPT related articles, tips and information.
Virtual Conference
Connect and learn with AAPT experts from around the world. Recordings from conferences are available for purchase.
Directory
Find a Certified AAPT Professional.
Important Links

What People Say

The IIAAPT is one of a kind and unique. Through my certification process, I appreciated the focus on acquiring the skills I ...
The IIAAPT is one of a kind and unique. Through my certification process, I appreciated the focus on acquiring the skills I need to conduct AAPT effectively and I valued the focus on the animals and their well-being. The pre-requiste course I talk about most is the Canine Communication course, which is a must have for anyone looking to work with animals and people, and is equally beneficial for learning to live harmoniously with dogs. The focus on positive training methods is pertinent in reflecting healthy, positive relationships with clients. The certification process through IIAAPT is thorough and extensive, but worth every penny. I am honored to be a part of such an amazing community with distinguished individuals and their animals.


Once I took the first class I was sold! This program is such a good example of how a good relationship with ...
Once I took the first class I was sold! This program is such a good example of how a good relationship with our animals form the basis and beginning of AAPT! There is so much emphasis and information about animals' communication, their needs, and assuring they have a choice in all activities! I love what I have learned as an animal lover and as a therapist.


As a lifelong learner of all things human-animal bond related; I found the Animal Assisted Play Therapy ™ courses to be most beneficial...
As a lifelong learner of all things human-animal bond related; I found the Animal Assisted Play Therapy™ courses to be most beneficial. As the emphasis is on the relationship between the practitioner and the animal working alongside them our clients are given the opportunity of seeing a reciprocal and positive relationship in action. I am a better advocate for the dogs working by my side having taken these courses.


The AAPT training and certification program is unlike any other program available in the field. It not only teaches you how to...
The AAPT training and certification program is unlike any other program available in the field. It not only teaches you how to incorporate a variety of different animals into your work (not just canines) but it is also rooted in a solid understanding of animal welfare, agency, and training. The founders go above and beyond expectation with the material and information presented, as well as with the teaching format. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about working with animals in therapeutic settings.


Following the completion of the IIAAPT certification program, I feel well prepared and confident in my ability to provide Animal Assisted Play...
Following the completion of the IIAAPT certification program, I feel well prepared and confident in my ability to provide Animal Assisted Play Therapy™ services to my clients. The founders have perfectly married play therapy skills and animal interventions in a way that only someone who has literally “written the book” is able to do.






The letters of Animal Assisted Play TherapyTM also represent...
The letters of Animal Assisted Play TherapyTM also represent some core principles and goal areas of the field:
Acceptance – of the animal as they are, rather than expecting them to be something they are not
Attachment – healthy attachment and relationship are promoted with fun and playfulness
Process – an outcome is less important than the process, so unexpected events are woven into the session for the benefit of the client and the animal
Training – is completely non-aversive and involves positive, relationship-based methods
These four alone distinguish AAPT as a unique approach to involving animals in therapy and my cats and I are excited to be part of this field of work!





International Institute for Animal Assisted Play Therapy®
Sharing mutually beneficial human-animal relationships throughout the world with AAPT.
Instructor Locations Worldwide
AAPT Certified Professionals
Awards Won
Followers on Facebook
International Institute for Animal Assisted Play Therapy®
Sharing mutually beneficial human-animal relationships throughout the world with AAPT.
Instructor Locations Worldwide
AAPT Certified Professionals
Awards Won
Followers on Facebook