Animal Assisted Services International is a member driven non-profit organization that offers a community, continuing education, standards of practice, competencies and accreditation for AAS practitioners and animal trainers
AASI is hosting an in-person hands-on regional workshop in Albuquerque, New Mexico! The event has been postponed until further notice.
Stay informed about all of AASI’s activities and events by visiting the Community Calendar!
AASI Standards, Competencies and Accreditation are the result of our member working groups, peer reviewed literature, collaboration with leaders in the AAS field, and concepts that AASI believes important for AAS. They have been designed to provide guidance as a minimum of what is needed to conduct an AAS program for any Animal Assisted Services International (AASI) member. The standards are meant to be used in conjunction with AASI competencies and as partial preparation for AASI accreditation. Each membership category has a Member Booklet specifically designed for that member category.
AASI is a non-profit association and coalition of practitioners, individuals or organizations that has a strong foundation of positive interactions with people and animals, at all stages in the AASI continuum (training, handling, treating, educating, etc.). AASI respects and embraces other organizations, and frequently collaborates to develop and share content at a world-wide level.
AASI is a practitioner driven organization that celebrates human-animal interactions, and supports them using the available literature to make consistent updates that are relevant to the times.
AASI recognizes that our members come from diverse disciplines, and include those who raise, prepare and train the animals that work with AAS providers. Our membership categories include Animal Assisted Activity (AAA), Animal Assisted Education (AAE), Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), Animal Assisted Special Programs (AASP), Animal Assisted Placement Programs (AAPP), Affiliate Members, Educational Institutions and Students.
Our members are healthcare (occupational, physical, speech, mental health providers, nurses, etc.) human service (social workers, ministry, law enforcement, crisis response, etc.), educational providers, those who offer professional level or recreational programs, and animal trainers who train animals and their humans for this level of professional work.
By becoming a member, you will be a part of a worldwide community of professionals who share the common interest and practice of animal assisted services.
AASI offers comprehensive Standards of Practice, Competencies and an Accreditation process that was developed in collaboration with our members and well-respected leaders in the field of animal assisted services. We offer continuing education and embrace sharing of quality professional level information.
