Supervision

Supervision in Animal Assisted Coaching

Supervision is an important part of safe, ethical and effective coaching practice. In animal assisted coaching, supervision may need to include additional areas of reflection because the work involves a wider relational field: client, practitioner, animal and environment.

Practitioners may need to reflect on the client’s goals, the coaching relationship, the animal’s behaviour and welfare, the practitioner’s responses, risk management, boundaries, contracting, safeguarding and the suitability of particular activities.

Supervision can help practitioners consider questions such as:

• Is animal assisted coaching appropriate for this client and context?
• How is the animal responding during sessions?
• Are there any signs of animal stress, fatigue or discomfort?
• Are the client’s needs being met safely and ethically?
• Am I working within my competence?
• What risks need to be considered?
• How am I interpreting the animal’s behaviour?
• What assumptions might I be making?
• What further training, consultation or support may be needed?

The Network encourages practitioners to access supervision or consultation from professionals with relevant experience in coaching, psychological practice, animal assisted interventions, animal behaviour or welfare, as appropriate.