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Certificate Course in "Animal-Assisted Services"
Professional in Animal-Assisted Services with a Focus on Animal-Assisted Pedagogy, Support Measures, and Therapy
Do you want to use animals professionally and in an animal-welfare-compliant manner in your educational, social, medical, or therapeutic field?
The university-based and research-oriented continuing education program "Animal-Assisted Services" has been providing professionals with a solid foundation for working with animals since 2016.
Animal-assisted services is the professional term for specialized human-animal interactions in therapy, education, and support measures. These services include care, engagement, promotion, education, and therapy within counseling, health professions (such as elderly care, hospice, hospitals), and educational institutions (such as schools and kindergartens).
Our university’s program is unique in Germany and incorporates perspectives from various disciplines. It not only considers the positive effects of animals on humans but also addresses critical viewpoints on the use of animals in animal-assisted settings and aspects related to animal welfare. By integrating educational, legal, veterinary, biological, sociological, and philosophical perspectives, the program aims to provide a comprehensive understanding through theory-practice transfer.
Our goal is to contribute to the establishment of animal-assisted fields of work in the best interest of both people and animals. To achieve this, we need professionally trained and independently reflective practitioners. For their activities to be eligible for external funding, the education and training must be recognized and protected by the state and public in the long term.
In line with this objective, the University of Gießen has subjected its continuing education program to an external certification process. The certificate course has undergone a similar process to that of accrediting undergraduate programs. In 2022, the course was re-certified by the Agency for Quality Assurance through Accreditation of Study Programs e.V. (AQUAS).
The content and competencies conveyed in this course are aligned with the "European Qualifications Framework" at the master's level (EQR7). This is unique for animal-assisted education programs in Germany.
Upon successful completion of the course, all participants will receive a university certificate and a transcript of their performance. Additionally, each participant will be provided with a document detailing the course content for submission to the relevant veterinary authority.
The certificate course is designed to be compatible with professional work. In the first three modules, there are alternating phases of in-person sessions (usually on weekends, up to 3 days) and online self-study phases. In the fourth module, you will write your thesis (with flexible time management). Additionally, you will complete a practical internship of 60 hours and conduct your own intervention.
The training serves as professional development for individuals interested in the field of animal-assisted interventions, including animal-assisted therapy, animal-assisted education, animal-assisted activities, and animal-assisted support measures.
The certificate course "Animal-Assisted Services" is distinguished by a close and long-standing collaboration between the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FB 10) and the Faculty of Social and Cultural Sciences (FB 03), including Sociology. This unique feature allows for an adequate consideration of both human and animal perspectives in animal-assisted settings.
The certificate course is aimed at professionals in educational, social, veterinary, human medical, or therapeutic fields. It is necessary to have basic professional qualifications to achieve the goals of this continuing education program.
Requirements for Participation:
Completed vocational training or
Completed degree (180 ECTS credits)
as well as
One year of professional experience
Exceptions (e.g., after several years of experience in a relevant field) may be approved by the examination board.
A maximum of 14 participants can be admitted per academic year.
For the part-time continuing education, a functional laptop, a headset, a webcam, and a stable internet connection are required.
The goal of the continuing education program is to create a holistic perspective on the human-animal relationship, addressing the significance, opportunities, and limitations of animal-assisted work. This understanding serves as a foundation for deciding how, if, and when animals are used in social settings.
The curriculum focuses on:
Interdisciplinary teaching and learning content
Critically reflective discussions, individual and group work
Theory-practice transfer
Animal-welfare-compliant practices
Integration of theoretical, methodological, and practical knowledge
Diverse animal species in animal-assisted settings (e.g., bees, guinea pigs, goats, cats, dogs, donkeys, New World camelids, horses) and their individual needs and suitability for animal-assisted activities
Sustainable education
Participants existing knowledge from their own fields of work is actively incorporated throughout the course. This approach aims to develop professional skills and sharpen reflective abilities. The objective is to enable future graduates to independently plan, design, and evaluate human-animal interactions.
The interdisciplinary content will be delivered by renowned speakers:
Dr. Katharina Ameli is a sociologist with over 15 years of research experience in animal-assisted services. She coordinates the Animal Welfare Department at the Interdisciplinary Center for Animal Welfare Research and 3R (ICAR3R) and serves as the study coordinator and lecturer for the certificate course in "Animal-Assisted Services". Additionally, Dr. Ameli works part-time as a systemic coach for early-career researchers and parents of gifted children.
Jan Ameli is the owner of Deutsche Internetagentur. He specializes in internet marketing and web design, serving clients across the entire country.
Dr. Willa Bohnet is a biologist and has been a scientific staff member at the Institute for Animal Welfare and Behavior at the Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover since 1996. Her research focuses on normal and problem behavior, species-appropriate housing, and humane training of horses and dogs. For many years, she has also been a speaker in training courses and professional development programs related to animal-assisted interventions. Additionally, she is an active member of the working groups 11 “Horses” and 10 “Use of Animals in Social Applications” within the German Association for Animal Protection (TVT).
Dr. Uta Böttcher is a veterinarian who earned her PhD at the Institute for Animal Breeding and Pet Genetics at Justus-Liebig-University, focusing on the social behavior of pigs. She has worked for many years in a small-animal practice. Additionally, she is an experienced keeper of sheep and chickens and serves as a trainer in the field with the Johanniter Rescue Dog Unit.
Katrin Rauber is a special education teacher, specialist in animal-assisted interventions, equine therapist, educational companion dog trainer, coach, and lecturer.
Prof. Dr. Thomas Brüsemeister is a professor of socialization and education at Justus-Liebig-University in Gießen. He is the head of the certificate course “Animal-Assisted Services” (Department of Sociology) and a co-editor of the work “Fundamentals of Animal-Assisted Services.”
Theresa F. Braun studied special education with a focus on learning disabilities and speech therapy, as well as biology. Since November 2015, she has been a research associate and lecturer for special tasks at the Institute for Special Education and Inclusive Education at JLU. She is currently pursuing a PhD on the use of horses in educational and therapeutic contexts, with a particular focus on human-horse interactions from sociological and ethological perspectives. Her teaching centers on the use of animals in animal-assisted pedagogy, resilience and resilience promotion, extracurricular learning environments and educational support, experiential education, and general principles of special education with a focus on learning and inclusive teaching. Additionally, she offers specialized workshops on “School Dogs” as part of the university’s training program for Hessian teachers. Since 2021, she has been a Certified Equine Therapist IVK.
Prof. Dr. Stephanie Krämer is a professor of laboratory animal science and animal welfare, as well as the executive director at the Interdisciplinary Center for Animal Welfare Research and 3R (ICAR3R). She holds the primary responsibility for the certificate course and is an expert in the use and welfare of mice and rats in animal-assisted programs.
Eva Maria Groß studied political science, Slavic studies, and Eastern European history at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg. She has over 25 years of experience in the service sector, with extensive expertise in service and employee training. As part of her professional training in Animal-Assisted Services at JLU Gießen, she has specialized in the various applications of Achatina snails.
Lily Merklin is a psychologist and psychotherapist, equine educator, and Tellington TTouch® instructor for horses. She is the therapeutic director of a psychiatric day clinic for children and adolescents and has been active in adult education for many years, including training professionals in animal-assisted interventions. She conducts research on the use of animals in the criminal justice system and has evaluated several programs and interventions in this field. Additionally, she supervises academic work on the subject as an external expert.
Prof. Dr. Stephanie Hoy is a professor of education and counseling in the context of sustainability. Previously, she worked for many years as a lecturer for special tasks at the Chair of Communication and Counseling in Agricultural, Nutritional, and Environmental Sciences at JLU Gießen. There, she taught modules such as “Professional Communication and Presentation,” “Fundamentals of Counseling and Conversation Management,” “Professional Conversation Management in Higher Education and the Workplace,” “Communication and Media – Understanding and Designing,” and “Fundamentals of Social Science Nutrition, Agricultural, and Environmental Research.” Additionally, she works freelance as a co-trainer for the Confidos Academy Hessen in the field of Occupational Health Management and leads the Tinko Children’s Theater in Gießen.
PD Dr. Franziska Kuhne is an EBVS® European veterinary specialist in animal welfare science, ethics, and law, as well as a specialist in behavioral medicine and animal welfare, with an additional qualification in animal behavior therapy. She is the head of the working group for Applied Behavioral Science and Animal Behavior Therapy. Her focus areas include animal behavior therapy for dogs, cats, and horses; the temperament assessment of dogs; supervision of doctoral students; and the education, training, and continued professional development of various professions in applied behavioral science and animal behavior therapy. She has been an active member of the German Association for Animal Protection (TVT) for many years, participating in working groups 11 “Horses” and 2 “Dogs & Cats.”
Gregor Lachmann is a psychotherapist specializing in behavioral therapy and a certified equine-assisted psychotherapist (IPTh Konstanz) with his own practice in Gießen. In parallel, he works as a lecturer and supervisor at, among others, the Behavioral Therapy Institute at the University of Gießen. He has gained practical experience in animal-assisted interventions through both his outpatient practice and inpatient work.
Elisabeth Mann is a social educator and supervisor with additional qualifications as a specialist in animal-assisted pedagogy and environmental education. She has worked freelance for many years, focusing on counseling, experiencing nature, and social learning. In her practice, she supports individuals in various settings to establish meaningful contact with themselves and others. Her team currently includes a mixed-breed dog named Minja and a Border Collie named Ayo, as well as insects and other small creatures that contribute as “freelancers.”
Jennifer Simon is an attorney specializing in animal law, animal protection law, and veterinary law. As the chair of an animal protection organization, she has practical experience in caring for numerous animals and was also active as an animal rights activist for many years. She is now a member of the German Legal Society for Animal Protection Law and gives lectures on animal protection law.
Rebecca Michel-Schleich is an educator, specialist in animal-assisted services, MINDMIRROR® coach, and mother. She studied to become a secondary school teacher with a focus on biology and English and has worked in various roles, including in independent child and youth work and at a nature kindergarten. After continuously advancing her education in animal-assisted services, environmental education, and farm education, she founded the Begegnungshof EntdeckerHerzen on her family’s farm in Lichenroth, Central Hesse in the summer of 2021. There, she offers environmental and farm education as well as animal-assisted activities, primarily for school children but also for toddlers and adults.
Puck Plötz is a veterinarian specializing in equine and donkey medicine. He has over 25 years of experience with donkeys, particularly with the Poitou donkey breed.
Jaqueline Krüger is currently the coordinator for the 3R sector at the Interdisciplinary Center for Animal Welfare Research and 3R (ICAR3R). She is the deputy study coordinator for the certificate course “Animal-Assisted Services” and also supervises theses in Module IV.
Johanna Vocht is a doctoral graduate in Romance studies. Before transitioning to science management at JLU, she worked in public relations and media outreach. Since April 2020, she has been actively involved in local politics with Bündnis 90 / Die Grünen on a voluntary basis, where she is responsible for press work within the parliamentary group.
Dr. Katja Siegeler is a doctoral behavioral biologist and serves as the animal welfare officer at the University of Münster. She has spent many years researching the development and behavior of guinea pigs in her scientific work and has been familiar with this species as a pet since childhood.
Hilke Wiegand is an art educator and specialist in animal-assisted services. She works in the vocational training sector at Lebenshilfe Gießen, where she leads, among other initiatives, a bee project for individuals with disabilities and mental health conditions.
Dr. Henrik Wagner has been a specialist in small ruminants since 2014. He is the head of the Veterinary Ambulance at the Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Andrology of Large and Small Animals at Justus-Liebig-University in Gießen.
Benito Weise is an agricultural engineer and has been working in vocational education for 25 years. At LBZ Echem, he is involved in integrating animal welfare as a cross-cutting theme in inter-company training. A key focus of his work is on animal sensory perception. He is the initiator and co-developer of virtual-reality (VR) goggles for cows, horses, and pigs. In the context of the certificate course, he enables participants to experience a perspective shift using the “horse goggles.”
Corinna Heyd
Elena Mohr has 25 years of experience in strategy and management consulting, with a focus on business start-ups and sustainability, idea management, and workplace health promotion. She is also a trained weight coach and health management consultant. As an active athlete who enjoys nature, she intentionally creates regular time for herself. Her profession is her calling; she leads, guides, coaches, and supports people with conviction in both their professional and personal lives. Her motto is: “I help businesses and individuals find harmony.”
Prof. Dr. Jan Hense
Dr. Jessica Hornung studied veterinary medicine at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich from 2001 to 2007. She then completed her PhD at Justus-Liebig-University Gießen on the topic of “The Influence of Reactive Oxygen Species on the Cytosolic Calcium Content of Coronary Microvascular Endothelial Cells in Post-Ischemic Reperfusion.” Since 2009, she has been supporting the Animal Welfare and Ethology Team at the veterinary faculty of JLU Gießen. After working as a research assistant at Justus-Liebig-University, she now works as an official veterinarian.
Within the framework of our course, the following content related to specific animal species will be covered during the in-person and online self-learning phases. Species-specific knowledge and skills are crucial when applying for expertise certification.
Therefore, it is a core objective of the course to impart relevant content on animal species used in animal-assisted activities.
The course will cover the following topics during in-person and online self-learning phases:
Legal Fundamentals:
Ability to engage with legal texts
Knowledge of relevant content from the Animal Welfare Act
Knowledge of the authority responsible for enforcing the Animal Welfare Act
Minimum requirements for keeping, rearing, and feeding
Duties of animal owners
Animal-owner-relevant knowledge about liability law
Differences between reportable and notifiable animal diseases
Content of TVT (Animal Welfare Association) leaflets
Behavior and Implications for the Use/Keeping in Animal-Assisted Work:
Including:
Sensory perception of animal species
Basic behavior and needs of animal species (feeding behavior, resting and exploration behavior, comfort behavior, social behavior, play behavior, sexual behavior)
Health:
Diseases of animal species (particularly zoonoses)
Hygiene regulations with legal requirements
Stress (recognition) and behavioral disorders
Biology:
Domestication, origin, and breed knowledge
Breeds and suitability
Anatomy
Practical Aspects:
Training and handling of the respective animal species
Suitability of the animal species for animal-assisted work
Use in animal-assisted work (preparation, planning, execution, and evaluation)
Upon completion of the course, graduates will receive a university certificate accredited by the Agency for Quality Assurance Through Accreditation of Study Programs (AQUAS). The content and competencies provided align with the "European Qualifications Framework" at EQF Level 7. This accreditation is unique for animal-assisted training programs in Germany.
Since the certificate course is at EQF Level 7 (master's level), it is generally possible that for the ECTS credits earned from the modules to be transferred to other degree programs. However, please note that this is always decided on a case-by-case basis. Recognition depends on the content of the master's program and whether there is compatibility.
Additionally, the certificate course is accredited as continuing education by the Hessian Academy for Teachers under the offer number 2308634.
As part of the certificate course, a 60-hour internship must be completed. The internship should be undertaken with an individual or organization involved in animal-assisted work. The supervising person must have relevant training or education in the field of animal-assisted interventions. Relevant training includes courses with a minimum of 120 hours. Courses that lasted only 1 to 2 weekends cannot be recognized.
The internship should encompass aspects of animal-assisted services in observing, performing, and evaluating. Training and animal care are naturally integrated into this experience.
The businesses are pre-approved and authorized by the program coordinator. You are responsible for selecting the businesses yourself.
The internship can be completed at a single business or across multiple businesses. The certificate of completion must be submitted by the end of the third module (The final deadline is August 31 each year.)
The following areas cannot be recognized:
Riding instruction for various age groups
Natural horsemanship
Work in a dog training school
(Voluntary) activities without supervision or under the guidance of an untrained person
Please discuss the selected business with the program coordinator and have it approved by them.
All participants have the additional (optional, for a fee) opportunity to complete a behavioral assessment including a report for a dog intended for use.
It is possible to complete the course alongside a professional activity. In addition to the in-person phases, there are online self-study phases. These should be taken into account in the calculated learning time.
How is the course organised?
The course consists of a total of 4 modules, which are to be completed within one year. Each module comprises 180 hours of learning time, consisting of online and face-to-face teaching (online-based seminars and face-to-face seminars). The on-site courses take place at the veterinary medicine campus. Online-based seminars are held via Big Blue Button or Zoom. The online-supported self-study phase is realized independently via the ILIAS portal of Justus Liebig University.
What is the total time investment?
The course comprises a total of 720 hours (24 credit points), including
approx. 141 hours attendance time (online or on-site)
235 hours of preparation and follow-up work
244 hours of self-designed work, including the preparation of the final thesis (including 60 hours of practical work)
100 hours of exam preparation
How much does the course cost?
The course fee is € 5,490. It can be paid in four instalments. Please note that the fees must also be paid if you leave the course prematurely - regardless of the reason. Please refer to the fee regulations for more details.
Where and when can I complete the internship?
The internship is organized in such a way that you regularly visit animal-assisted practitioners and get to know their practical work. The internship can be freely organized in terms of time but must comprise a total of 60 hours. You can find more detailed information under the "Internship" tab.
In addition to the internship, there is a separate intervention that you must carry out independently. You are free to choose your own time to prepare for this. The examination usually takes place during the attendance phases.
Do I need to have my own animal for admission?
No. You do not need to own an animal or have already selected one for admission. The course focuses on the future specialist, although practical content with animals is integrated into the course.
Which certificate do I receive?
After successfully completing the course, you will receive a certificate as a specialist in animal-assisted services specializing in animal-assisted education, therapy and support measures. This is certified by the Agentur für Qualitätssicherung durch Akkreditierung von Studiengängen e.V. (AQUAS), which also accredits degrees. The certificate course is at EQF 7 level (master's level).
Do I receive a semester ticket?
As a participant in academic continuing education, you are not enrolled as a student. You will therefore not receive a chip card with a semester ticket. However, you will have access to all the relevant infrastructure required to complete the course.
Where can I find my letter of admission?
You will receive your letter of admission from the Registrar's Office. It serves as a certificate of enrolment. You will not receive a certificate of enrolment.
Which exam do I have to take?
For the first and second module, the examination consists of a written exam and an individual learning diary on the course content. Both are weighted at 50%. In the third module, the examination consists of learning diary entries and self-planned and designed interventions and their reflection in the learning diary. In the fourth module, you will write your final thesis.
Where can I find the examination regulations?
You can find the examination regulations at the following link: http://www.uni-giessen.de/mug/
I am ill on an in-person or examination date (written examination or learning diary). How do I report this to the examination office/coordinator?
The medical certificate confirming your inability to take an examination must be submitted or sent to the Examination Coordinator immediately, i.e., as soon as you become aware of the reasons for your inability to take an examination, usually within three days.
If you are unable to take an examination (written exam or learning diary) due to illness, you must submit a medical certificate to the program coordinator immediately. Only then can you repeat the examination.
Please note that the original documents including a signature must be submitted. You can always find the supplementary sheet for the medical certificate in ILIAS.
Please note that you are responsible for submitting the complete documentation. We will not ask you to do so. If the documents are received late or not at all, the examination will be given a grade of 0 points. In the case of deadlines for the submission of learning diaries, the deadline will be extended by the same number of days from the day of your recovery. For example, if you were ill for three days, the submission deadline will be postponed by three days.
Will I be invited to the compensatory or repeat examination?
No, the obligation to inform lies with you! Please enquire either via the course home page or with the degree program coordinator.
How do I get access to a written examination?
After completion of the examination, the candidate will be granted access to the examination upon written request. The request must be submitted to the chairperson of the relevant examination board within one month of the announcement of the examination result. The chairperson shall determine the time and place of the inspection. The date is usually on a day during the week (in the morning). For organizational reasons, it is not possible to inspect the examination during the in-person attendance phases.
What happens if I do not pass an exam?
If you fail an examination, you are entitled to retake it in accordance with the examination regulations. More details can be found in the module description. You will not be invited to take a compensatory or repeat examination. The duty to inform lies with you. Therefore, please enquire on the course home page or with the degree program coordinator.
How can I apply for compensation for disadvantages?
On the following website you will find all information on compensation for disadvantages and how to apply for it: https://www.uni-giessen.de/studium/beratung/studmitbehinderung . You can find instructions for the specialist medical report at: https://www.uni-giessen.de/studium/dateien/informationberatung/attest-nachta and further information on how to apply at https://www.uni-giessen.de/studium/dateien/informationberatung/merkblattpdf
Please apply for compensation for disadvantages in good time. You are welcome to arrange a meeting with the program coordinator before submitting your application to discuss individual requirements.
Applications for the certificate course are possible until 31 May 2024. Please print out the application form and submit it by post with the required documents (described there). Please read the subject-specific regulations, the module description and the fee regulationscarefully before applying. Please send your complete application documents to:
Justus-Liebig-University Interdisciplinary Center for Animal Welfare Resesarch and 3R (ICAR3R) Dr. Katharina Ameli Frankfurter Strasse 110 35392 Gießen
Please note that we unfortunately do not return application documents.
