Aims and objectives
Aim
To provide an international online network for practitioners, researchers, educators and organisations interested in animal assisted coaching, animal assisted learning, and related coaching-informed practices.
Objectives
- Promote ethical practice
To encourage high standards of ethical, responsible and welfare-informed animal assisted coaching practice.
- Support animal wellbeing
To highlight the importance of animal choice, consent, comfort, humane treatment and appropriate working conditions in all animal assisted coaching contexts.
- Support client and practitioner safety
To raise awareness of psychological, physical, environmental and relational risks involved in working with animals in coaching practice.
- Advance evidence-informed practice
To encourage the use of relevant research, theory and professional guidance from coaching, coaching psychology, counselling, animal assisted interventions, human–animal interaction, anthrozoology and related fields.
- Provide professional learning opportunities
To support continuing professional development through webinars, articles, training events, discussion groups, supervision resources and shared practice materials.
- Encourage reflective practice and supervision
To promote appropriate supervision, reflective practice and consultation for practitioners working with animals in coaching and related settings.
- Build an international community of practice
To create a supportive space where practitioners can share experiences, resources, challenges, research and good practice.
- Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration
To bring together coaches, coaching psychologists, counsellors, psychotherapists, educators, trainers, veterinary professionals, animal behaviour specialists and researchers.
- Promote inclusive access and public understanding
To increase public and professional awareness of animal assisted coaching and its potential benefits, limitations and ethical considerations.
- Contribute to professional standards
To support the development of guidance, position papers and practice recommendations for animal assisted coaching.
