TRAINER:  Kate Nicoll, LCSW

DATE OF TRAINING: Friday, March 22, 2012

LENGTH OF TRAINING: Half day (4.5 hours)

TIME:  8:30 until 1:00 p.m.

CEUs:  4.0

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Many of our earliest childhood memories incorporate the animals in our lives. For children living with the impact of trauma, animals can often be  a source of comfort (Barker, 1985) or a target of abuse.  Children's connections to animals are a complex, multifaceted bond that requires an understanding of the following: human-animal behavior, brain-based approaches to trauma, behavioral approaches, narrative theory and the importance of play in bringing about healing.  This presentation will explore a model of understanding the impact of the human-animal bond on attachment, affirmation, affect regulation and attunement in both animal assisted interventions and in day to day human-animal interactions in the lives of children ( Nicoll, 2006).  Stories of animal abuse and the importance of cross-reporting will be discussed.  In addition interactions with a therapy animal will be a part of the presentation to demonstrate the critical importance of body-awareness and play. 

TRAINING PROVIDED BY:  Soul Friends: Animal Assisted Therapy Programs of Connecticut

NOTE:  TRAINING IS LOCATED IN THE COURT MONITOR'S OFFICE ON THE CORNER OF ROUTES 68 and 150, Ground Floor - Separate entrance.