animal therapy
The involvement of animals in a treatment in order to improve the social, emotional or cognitive functioning of the patient.
Animal assisted therapists provide support to individuals with cognitive, motoric, or social-emotional disabilities through animal assisted intervention. They involve pets and domesticated animals in a specific intervention plan such as therapy, education, and human service, and aim to restore and maintain the patients` well-being and recovery.
Competences and skills
30 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 2 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
1 competenceCross-sector
1 competenceassistive instruments
The field of dealing with people in need of service animals and the working of assistive devices and technologies.
digital
Essential skills and competences 9 competences
Occupation specific
2 competencesinstruct animals for therapy purposes
Control animals in order to provide therapeutic treatments for psychologically or medically ill patients.
recruit animal handlers
Select and instruct animal trainers in order to integrate the animals in the therapy.
Sector-specific
3 competencesassess the patient's therapeutic needs
Observe and assess the patient`s behaviour, attitudes and emotions in order to understand if and how their therapeutic needs can be met with a specific kind of therapy, collecting and analysing information on how the client makes, responds to, and relates to artistic stimulae. Relate this information to other aspects of the patient`s life.
maintain healthcare user data confidentiality
Comply with and maintain the confidentiality of healthcare users` illness and treatment information.
select therapy animals
Identify the right animal with the right temperament appropriate for the therapy.
Cross-sector
4 competencesdevelop a collaborative therapeutic relationship
Develop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.
interact with healthcare users
Communicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.
listen actively
Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.
provide health education
Provide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.
Optional knowledge 7 competences
Occupation specific
1 competenceperformance diagnosis
The process that aims at solving problems by correctly identifying the organizational, process, and individual performance levels and how to improve them.
Sector-specific
5 competencesanimal behaviour
The natural behavioural patterns of animals, i.e. how normal and abnormal behaviour might be expressed according to species, environment, human-animal interaction and occupation.
behavioural therapy
The characteristics and foundations of behavioural therapy, which focuses on changing patients` unwanted or negative behaviour. It involves studying the present behaviour and the means by which this can be un-learned.
evaluation of psychological performance
The characteristics of the methods used to assess psychological parameters.
human psychological development
The human psychological development across the lifespan, theories of personality development, cultural and environmental influences, human behavior, including developmental crises, disability, exceptional behavior, and addictive behavior.
palliative care
The methods of pain relief and quality of life improvement for the patients with serious illnesses.
Cross-sector
1 competencesociology
The group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
Optional skills and competences 12 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
6 competencescontribute to continuity of health care
Contribute to the delivery of coordinated and continuous healthcare.
control animal movement
Direct, control or restrain some or part of an animal's, or a group of animals', movement.
- Scope note
- "Restrain" includes physical and mechanical means, and/or the use of chemical means under veterinary direction.
handle patient trauma
Assess the competences, needs, and limitations of people affected by trauma, referring the patients to specialised trauma services where appropriate.
promote animal welfare
Promote good practice and work with compassion to sustain and promote high standards of animal welfare at all times by adapting personal behaviour and managing environmental factors.
green
refer healthcare users
Make referrals to other professionals, based on the healthcare user's requirements and needs, especially when recognising that additional healthcare diagnostics or interventions are required.
work with healthcare users' social network
Get involved with the friends, families and other relevant actors important for the client or patient being treated, under the conditions of confidentiality and transparency.
Cross-sector
6 competencesapply organisational techniques
Employ a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and sustainably, and show flexibility when required.
deal with emergency care situations
Assess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.
respond to changing situations in health care
Cope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.
use communication techniques
Apply techniques of communication which allow interlocutors to better understand each other and communicate accurately in the transmission of messages.
use foreign languages for health-related research
Use foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research.
use foreign languages in patient care
Communicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.