Introducing the Pawsome Human-Animal Connection in Play Therapy

Animal Assisted Therapy is a growing and diverse discipline. This workshop will discuss the process to incorporate animals as play partners in therapy sessions; adding to the effectiveness of play therapy by engaging the natural abilities of animals to enhance the therapeutic powers of play. The workshop will explore various educational and professional credentials one can pursue to ensure the legitimacy of including animals in their play therapy practice. The workshop will educate participants on the ethics, agency, and animal welfare considerations of animal assisted interventions. Participants will learn about the play therapist competencies needed to legitimately include animals in play while building a triad of trust between animal, client, and play therapist. This workshop will explore choosing and training a play therapy animal, setting up an appropriate play space for animal assisted interventions, leading an animal assisted session, and general guiding principles for intentionally improving clients’ emotional and developmental health as a therapist/animal team. This workshop will include videotaped examples and case studies of animal assisted sessions. As a result of attending the workshop, participants will possess knowledge of how the human-animal connection can promote the field of play therapy.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

1. explain the ethical and animal/client welfare considerations for conducting animal assisted play therapy.

2. describe how to legitimately move forward with animal assisted interventions in their play therapy practice.

3. identify the guiding principles to intentionally incorporate an animal in play therapy as a play partner.

Limited to 50 participants. Your spot will not be guaranteed without completion of registration with payment.

3 Live Webinar CE | Intermediate Level | Play Therapy Special Topics

VIRTUAL: This will be a virtual presentation. Participants must be visible (video on) throughout the presentation and will be awarded 3 LIVE WEBINAR CE upon successful completion of a post test. This workshop meets APT's definition of "Live Webinar."

FAPT is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to Play Therapy. APT Approved Provider 02-115. FAPT maintains responsibility for the program. Registrants understand and agree that any photograph (screenshot), video or audio recording of themselves may be used to further promote FAPT.

FAPT is approved by the Florida Department of Health under FL Statute 491 to offer continuing education for Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors. Provider Number BAP-50-10520 expires 03/31/2025. FAPT is approved by the Florida Department of Health under FL Statute 490 to offer continuing education for Psychologists. Provider Number BAP-50-10520 expires 05/31/2026.

Cancellation Policy: All cancellations must be requested in writing and received no later than January 15, 2025. Cancellations are subject to a $15 processing fee. Substitutions (someone else attending) or transfer of registration to another training date may be requested.

About our presenter: Kamie Larson, LCSW-QS, Registered Play Therapist™, CAAPT - is the owner of Gulf Breeze Therapy in Gulf Breeze, Florida. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Qualified Supervisor in Florida. Kamie is also a Registered Play Therapist™ and Certified Animal Assisted Play Therapist®. Her clinical social work career spans three decades in a variety of agencies, schools, and locations with children, adolescents, and families. As a lover of people and animals, she has witnessed the healing power of play and connection across species. Therefore, she utilizes play therapy and Animal Assisted Play Therapy® in helping people connect, play, and thrive.

Host or Publisher Florida Association for Play Therapy