Animals and Human Health Certificate Program, University of Denver, IHAC

01/23/2023

Are you a licensed mental health therapist in the U.S. who sees adolescent clients and utilizes canine interactions?

A research team led by Erin Flynn at the Institute for Human-Animal Connection is looking for mental health practitioners to participate in implementing a brief canine-assisted intervention as part of therapy for a current study.

Find more information here and participate in important research in the field: https://redcap.du.edu/surveys/
Use code: JNWHKD7CK

07/01/2021

Only 9 spots available for the AHH cohort beginning September 20th! Attend the AHH info session later this month to learn more!

Curious about IHAC's online certificates?! Join our three virtual information sessions this month to meet course instructors and learn details about each program. All sessions take place 5:30pm - 6:30pm Mountain Daylight Time. Register using the links below:

July 8th: Canine-Assisted Intervention Specialist Certificate (https://udenver.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckfuyrrDsvHdRIPMBlAA9EN92IYTi3Y1MX)

July 13th: Humane Education Practitioner Certificate (https://udenver.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcqfuqtpj0oEt1v8dTRkTrST7j62Zvtaqyh)

July 22nd: Animals and Human Health Certificate (https://udenver.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZArf-2orzosGNHJXq3yi8t9Mh1kWRP4PsBg)

Scheduling conflict? Register and we'll send out a recording of the session within 24 hours of event. Go to our website to learn more!

06/15/2021

Welcome to our newest AHH adjunct instructor, Jen Ludlam VonLintel!

We are so excited to welcome Jen Ludlam VonLintel as one of our newest members of the adjunct faculty teaching team for the Animals and Human Health Certificate! Jen is a licensed school counselor in Colorado, specializing in animal-assisted interventions in school settings. Since 2011 she has worked alongside her now-retired golden retriever, Copper. Jen brings a wealth of experience and education to this position.

Jen also leads a Facebook group, School Therapy Dogs, to help educators share best practices, research, and tools to support ethical programs. Check it out if that's your area of practice! https://www.facebook.com/groups/496658977173653

Learn more about Jen and the Animals and Human Health Certificate here: https://socialwork.du.edu/humananimalconnection/news/new-ihac-adjunct-faculty-jen-vonlintel

01/14/2021

If you've ever considered developing a humane education program, join us next Tuesday, January 19th from 5:30 - 6:30 pm MST to hear all the details about the Humane Education Practitioner Certificate!

Ready to learn more about humane education? Sign up for the Humane Education Practitioner Information Session taking place Tuesday, January 19th at 5:30 pm MST. IHAC's Director of Humane Education, Dr. Sarah Bexell, will be speaking about our online humane education certificate and how it can help you make change in your community. 🌎 Register for the info session here: https://udenver.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYuceCsrjkiGdAa-GRq6qGF8B5VSmONlMmw

11/24/2020

Support The Institute for Human-Animal Connection and get some cool One Health related gifts this holiday season! 🐾🌎❤️

11/11/2020

The power and beauty of the human-animal bond. Happy Veterans Day!

Today we recognize and honor veterans, who have given so much to our country. 🇺🇸❤️ Thank you for your service.

As an organization that aims to elevate the human-animal bond, we also recognize the importance of the connection between veterans and animals. In chapter 10 of Transforming Trauma: Resilience and Healing through our Connections with Animals by Philip Tedeschi and Molly Anne Jenkins, there is a case study that explains the value of service dogs for veterans. Check out the excerpt below:

“A gigantic reason I’ve been able to understand my service dog Ice so well is because we bonded through socializing him appropriately with people, sights, sounds, things, and other well-behaved dogs. I studied proper introduction techniques for letting my dog meet other dogs for the first time as required of service dogs. It is only fair to our [service] dogs that we know what we are asking from them. They operate differently than we do, but still have feelings. Ice does more than brace for my vertigo spells, and apply pressure points after my nightmares and anxiety attacks. It’s mentally healing getting to know another living animal’s personality in such a wholesome and humbling presence. He’s changed me as a person. It’s been my experience that I can take a peek into a person’s character and personality by the way they care for their dog. We live in a world where lack of trust is evident. You will always be able to trust a dog; they share blind faith and trust in you.”

11/03/2020

10/26/2020

Good reminders for Halloween this weekend!

Pet costumes can be fun—if you consider them from your pet’s point of view

10/22/2020

CDC provides credible COVID-19 health information to the U.S.

10/13/2020

Have you thought about what it would look like to work with your dog (or cat, horse, guinea pig, etc.)? There's a lot that goes into knowing if this is the right decision for you, your pet, and those you work with. We'd love to help you start exploring the various options through our Orientation to Animal-Assisted Interventions online course! Over four weeks you'll discover the impact of the human-animal bond across lifespans, the differences between animal-assisted therapy, activities, and education, and considerations for the welfare of working animals. Apply today so you can join the course starting on October 24th! https://socialwork.du.edu/humananimalconnection/education-about-human-animal-interactions

10/06/2020

Not sure where to start?! Check this out happening today at 12:30 pm Mountain Time!

Today we're answering all your questions about the Orientation to Animal-Assisted Interventions course! 👏 Join us LIVE at 12:30 pm Mountain Time (2:30 pm ET/11:30 am PT) to learn the details of this awesome 4-week course that can kick start your career working with animals. Register here to receive the link: https://udenver.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckdO-vqzsvHN0s8AMG3Gdo0za7W1ft3Pr_.

Apply for the course at: https://socialwork.du.edu/humananimalconnection/costs-application-requirements

10/01/2020

If you're curious about the four-week Orientation course, sign up for the information session taking place next Tuesday, October 6th!

Join our information session about the Orientation to Animal-Assisted Intervention Course to see if this would be a good fit for you! Arielle Giddens, Manager of Professional Development, will be hosting a virtual info session on Tuesday, October 6th at 12:30 pm Mountain Time to answer all of your questions. The four-week online Orientation course is a great introduction to the field of animal-assisted therapy, activities and education. Our next course starts in just a few weeks! Register here to receive link: https://udenver.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckdO-vqzsvHN0s8AMG3Gdo0za7W1ft3Pr_