Dear Cat Owner!
We want to invite you to participate in our program and learn along the way about your cat's personality. If you join, we will analyse the recording of the sequence of tasks that you will do with your companion. After that, you will get feedback with interesting information.
You will also be part of the scientific project because our main goal is to develop the
test that checks if a cat is suitable to work in the field of Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI).
If you are not aware of what AAI is, here is an official (from The International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations) definition:
AAI is a goal-oriented and structured intervention that intentionally includes or incorporates animals in health, education and human services (e.g., social work) for the purpose of therapeutic gains in humans. It involves people with knowledge of the people and animals involved. Animal-assisted interventions incorporate human-animal teams in human services such as Animal Assisted Therapy, Animal Assisted Education or Animal Assisted Activity. They also include Animal Assisted Coaching.
What is very important is the fact that contact with a cat can contribute to treating many ailments. Cat-assisted interventions may be beneficial for the treatment of depression (anxiety and fear), arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, AIDS, ADHD, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular disease, progressive muscular atrophy (muscular dystrophy), sclerosis, loss of sight and hearing, mental illness, osteoporosis, and autism.
So, if you wonder about your cat's predisposition to assist you in one of AAI's fields, the test and our evaluation of it will give you an answer.
But maybe, if you want to know a little more about your companion (even if not for work purposes), it is also a good idea to try it.
It is free, as a part of the development project conducted by four organisations:
Animals for People Association (Poland)
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca (Romania)
Dyrebar Omsorg AS (Norway)
Dr.sc. Dennis C. Turner, I.E.T., Institute for applied Ethology and Animal Psychology (Switzerland)
First, we will ask you to join a very quick course on the eLearning platform where you learn about the test itself. What are the requirements?
The whole process looks like this:
Register on the platform (link at the end of this email)
Answer the questionnaire about the behaviour of your cat (it will take up to 10 minutes, but it is essential as we will use it during our assessment)
Learn about the test itself (basically what kind of exercise you need to do with your cat – don't worry, you will not need any prior training)
We will ask you to record the whole process (it could be with a phone, so there is no need for fancy equipment – but if you have it go for it :).
You will be asked to upload the video. You will find all the instructions and links during the process. We will take you through it step by step.
Wait up to 30 days, and after that period, the assessment will be sent to you.
Be proud of yourself and your cat!
To join us, take part in the cat behavioural test. Video record your cat while doing several activities in a novel environment. Click here to learn more about the test and recording requirements. The behavioural test may (but does not have to!) be the first step in your cat AAI training and certification. The professional assessment provides knowledge about your cat's preferences, strengths, and challenges. You can use it in everyday life or start your AAI training and become a professional handler if your cat agrees to join you. AAI has been changing many people's lives - both handlers and patients.
The test is to realise your cat's true potential!
We will wait for your submissions and materials until 30.09.2022.
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