If you're curious about this work, or you're thinking about a career in it, this guide covers the basics. We explain what animal assisted intervention is, the main types, some real examples and how it works in the UK.
What is animal assisted intervention?
Animal assisted intervention, often shortened to AAI, is the umbrella term for any planned activity where an animal is included to support people's health, wellbeing or learning.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) gives clear UK definitions in its 2025 guidance, Working with Dogs in Health Care Settings. It describes animal assisted intervention as the umbrella term that covers both animal assisted activity and animal assisted therapy.
So, what is animal assisted intervention in everyday terms? You'll often hear people call it pet therapy. That name is fine for general use, but the professional term is more accurate, because not every session is therapy.
Types of animal assisted interventions
There are several types of animal assisted interventions. The RCN defines the two most common, and a third type is becoming more common in schools.
Animal assisted activity (AAA). A volunteer handler brings their animal, usually a dog, for relaxed, informal interaction with patients, residents or pupils. There aren't set treatment goals. The aim is comfort, connection and enjoyment. The RCN says this is the most common form of AAI.
Therapy sessions (AAT). Animal assisted therapy interventions are goal-directed. They're delivered alongside health professionals, documented and evaluated as part of a person's care plan. A physiotherapist might use a dog to encourage a patient to walk further, for example. These sessions are led by qualified health or care professionals, with a trained animal and handler supporting them.
Animal assisted education (AAE). This is where animals are included to support learning, such as children reading aloud to a calm dog. Swansea University is researching how schools involve animals, particularly dogs, and notes there's been rapid growth in dogs in schools.
Knowing the types of animal assisted interventions helps you understand where you might fit in. Activity-based work is the most common, and it's where many volunteers get involved. Animal assisted therapy interventions need a qualified professional to lead them.
Animal assisted intervention examples
Here are some animal assisted intervention examples that show how varied the work can be.
Care home visits. A volunteer and their dog visit residents each week. People chat, stroke the dog and share memories of pets they've owned.
Hospital wards. A trained dog visits a children's ward to help young patients relax during a long stay. Strict infection control rules apply, which we cover below.
School reading sessions. Pupils who lack confidence read aloud to a dog, which won't judge or correct them.
Rehabilitation. As part of a care plan, a therapist uses a dog to motivate a patient to practise movement, such as throwing a ball or walking a short distance.
Prisons and universities. UK charity Pets As Therapy visits settings including prisons, hospices and schools. Rethink Mental Illness notes that charity visits are common in universities too.
Dogs are the most common animals in these animal assisted intervention examples, and our guide to therapy dogs explains their role in more detail. Cats, rabbits, horses and other animals are used too.
Animal assisted intervention in the UK
Animal assisted intervention in the UK isn't regulated by a single body, so good practice matters even more. Mental health charity Rethink Mental Illness points out there's no standard regulation system for therapists such as counsellors or psychotherapists, so it's worth checking qualifications and experience.
In health settings, the RCN guidance sets out clear expectations:
- dogs must never be left alone with anyone other than their handler
- active sessions should last no more than an hour, with no more than three active hours a day
- handlers and dogs shouldn't visit within 48 hours of sickness or diarrhoea
- dogs need up-to-date vaccinations and regular parasite treatment
- handlers must be able to read their dog's body language and end a visit if needed
It's also worth knowing the difference between AAI animals and assistance dogs. The RCN explains that assistance dogs, such as guide dogs and medical alert dogs, are trained to support one disabled person. They're treated differently under the Equality Act 2010. Animals used in AAI visit lots of people and don't have the same legal status.
How to train in animal assisted intervention
Whether you'd like to volunteer, work alongside health professionals or set up your own service, training gives you the knowledge to do this work safely and well. Our guide to animal assisted therapy jobs covers the roles and routes in.
The Level 3 Diploma in Animal Assisted Intervention is an Ofqual regulated qualification that you study online and at your own pace, with tutor support. It's open to anyone aged 16 or over, and units cover:
- the theory and historical use of animal assisted interventions
- the lawful duties of animal assisted intervention
- health and wellbeing benefits
- roles and responsibilities
- client and animal pairing
- applying animal assisted intervention in practice
- the intervention process
- conducting canine animal assisted intervention
The final unit includes a practical element. You'll arrange two days of hands-on work with a dog yourself, and both days need to be evidenced to complete the qualification.
It's important to be clear that this is a qualification in animal assisted intervention. It isn't a therapy qualification and won't make you a therapist. It will give you the knowledge to plan and deliver sessions responsibly, and to understand how your role fits alongside the professionals who lead therapy.
You'll also get access to the learndirect: Community Hub app, a space just for learners and alumni of the learndirect Digital Group. You can join topic-specific communities, take part in forums and connect with other people who share your interests.
Ready to find out more?
Visit the Level 3 Diploma in Animal Assisted Intervention course page for full details, including fees and payment options. You can also call our course advisors on 01202 006 040 or send us an enquiry.
