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Description
The project involves the development of a hands-on instructor course for dog therapists. The course will be developed in an online format and will include interactive materials to allow the acquisition of practical skills through remote education. The main focus of the course will be on the use of ICT technology and workshop approach in order to teach and reinforce soft skills. Each participant of the online course will have his/her own tutor (supervisor) individually supervising the learning process. This will provide feedback to the trainees to help them develop professionally.
The pilot phase will involve 10 people who will train 10 people at a basic level as part of their educational path to become an instructor. The training of the mentee is a key factor to gain practical skills, and the supervision of the entire process by an experienced trainer will make the system effective and successful in replacing classroom training.
The project will also create a basic course, which will be a supporting element for instructors during training of mentees. The basic course will provide a theoretical basis for the trainees, so that our trainees (training instructors) can focus on practice.
Through a comprehensive approach, a process of learning and consolidation of knowledge through action will be created, followed by development during supervision.
After the development of the results, the association will have two new courses in its offer, which will be implemented in the future within the tested procedure.
The whole project will be developed in cooperation with a Norwegian partner who has expert experience in working with animals supporting different types of therapies and in developing courses at university level.
Summary of project results
The project was implemented in response to the growing demand for professionally prepared teams to work in the field of dog therapy and to prepare instructors for the process of their training. The project accomplished the task of providing comprehensive eLearning courses that enable the acquisition and development of competencies in the field of dogo therapy without physical participation in classes.
The project developed two courses on the eLearning platform: an advanced course for dogototherapy instructors and a basic course for visiting teams.
Both courses represent an innovative approach to education in the field of animal-assisted therapy. The advanced course designed for instructors focuses on practical preparation for guiding those entering the world of dog therapy, emphasizing training methodology, health psychology and the welfare of dogs in therapeutic work. Aimed at beginners, the course for visiting teams provides a solid theoretical foundation in the methods and tools used in AAI, as well as the practical guidance needed for effective and responsible use of dog therapy.
The project has yielded concrete results, including the practical readiness of 10 instructors to conduct their own courses in dogotherapy, as well as a positive impact on 10 mentees, who have successfully completed the basic course, completed practical internships and passed exams for the visiting team. An additional element was the significant activity of users on the course''s discussion forum, which contributed to greater interaction and knowledge sharing among participants.
To disseminate the results, a "Pro in Action!" conference was held, which attracted significantly more participants than expected - instead of the expected 100 participants, 202 people attended. This interest demonstrates significant public demand and success in reaching a wide audience.
Such action significantly increases the chances of long-term success of the innovations introduced.
The significance of the project goes beyond its immediate effects. Its long-term impact includes enhancing the quality of AAI interventions in Poland, developing the professional skills of practitioners, and strengthening international cooperation. The project has proven that innovative e-learning solutions can effectively replace traditional training methods, opening the door to flexible and accessible skills acquisition in this important and growing professional field.
Summary of bilateral results
The involvement of Dyrebar Omsorg, a leading Norwegian institution in the field of animal assisted interventions (AAI), significantly influenced the quality of the project results. This partnership proved to be an invaluable asset, providing the project with advanced knowledge and proven practices, resulting in excellent educational results.The Norwegian partner brought to the project its own rich experience of dog training techniques or new approaches in AAI applied to education and therapeutic activities. The bilateral value of this partnership was evident on many levels - from expanding the competencies of the course participants to strengthening the quality of the educational process itself and the specialized programs being introduced into the activities of the SZL.The difference made by this collaboration was expressed not only in the knowledge transferred, but also in the prestige brought by the materials and training provided by an established partner. Line Sandstedt''s participation in the conference met with the approval of the Polish audience and specialists.The conference and seminar not only strengthened the image of both institutions, but also broadened the participants'' horizons, as confirmed by the analysis of evaluation surveys. The availability of advanced educational materials in the online course, as well as the opportunity to consult with Norwegian experts, meant that the project "Advanced training of AAI instructors online" played a significant role in raising the standards of dogo-therapeutic education - including at the instructor level - in Poland.In the long term, it is planned to continue and deepen the fruitful cooperation with Dyrebar Omsorg in further educational and research projects.