I.E.A.P. (I.E.T.) has been certified by SQS (eduQua-procedure) as an official continuing education institution in Switzerland.
I.E.A.P. continuing education courses are officially given "in association with the Zoology Institute of the University of Zurich"

Courses in animal behaviour consultation / therapy for:

• Animal welfare/shelter staff
• Veterinarians/vet assistants
• Pet behaviour counsellors

Courses and seminars in animal assisted activities (AAA)/
animal assisted therapy (AAT) for:

• Psychotherapists / psychiatrists / other medical doctors
• Special educators / social workers
• Institutional staff / care-givers
• Volunteers with specially selected companion animals

Course in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling

I.E.A.P. (I.E.T. in German) is the oldest institution in Switzerland, and one of the oldest in Europe, offering professional continuing education in the field of applied companion animal ethology, psychology and behavioural therapy. Information from the latest research and on new therapy methods tested in the field are automatically integrated into the lectures and practical exercises. Upon completion of all lectures, exercises, a small research project (under the supervision of Dr. D.C. Turner) and/or case studies (also under the supervision of guest experts), oral and written exams, the students receive the «I.E.T. Certificate in Pet Behaviour Counselling». Once the certificate has been awarded, former students are invited to join V.I.E.T.A., the professional pet behaviour counsellors' association, headquartered in Switzerland, but also with members in Germany.

This course is offered only in German and is not a correspondence course. The script (written material in the course notebook) is also in that language. Course materials are not available to persons outside of I.E.A.P.

Not all persons are able to invest the time needed to attend a complete course cycle in pet behaviour counselling, which stretches over one to two years; but many wish more information than can be given in a single guest lecture (see Public service) about dog behaviour, cat behaviour or animal welfare issues. For these persons, I.E.A.P. has offered interesting weekend seminars in Switzerland and other countries since 1993. These can be offered in either English or German. Should your organization be interested in arranging or sponsoring such a seminar, please contact the I.E.A.P. office.

Continuing education in animal assisted therapy / animal assisted activities

Since April 1999, I.E.A.P. offers a continuing education course for specialists (social workers, special educators, psychologists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists) wishing to learn how companion animals may be optimally involved in their therapeutic, educational and/or social work. The curriculum includes lectures, seminars, visits to institutions practicing AAA/AAT and case studies in supervision groups. Experts from various disciplines are involved as faculty. The programme activities usually take place on weekends, so as not to interfere with personal employment. An «I.E.T. Certificate in Animal Assisted Counselling /Therapy» attests completion of the course. (Language: German)

Other persons interested in how companion animals can help people may enroll in a parallel continuing education course on animal assisted activities (AAA). This programme is particularly suited to caregivers and volunteers in animal visitation activities. An «I.E.T. Certificate in Animal Assisted Activities» attests completion of this course. (Language: German)

Additionally, institutions or organizations wishing to arrange or sponsor an I.E.T. / I.E.A.P. seminar on AAA and/or AAT in either English or German, should contact the I.E.A.P. office.

• German association of practicing veterinarians (B. p. Tierärzte e.V.), Aachen
• Academy for veterinary continuing education (ATF), Munich and Berlin, Germany
• Italian society of companion animal veterinarians (S.C.I.V.A.C.), Mailand
• Japanese Animal Hospital Association (JAHA), Tokyo
• Catalonian academy of veterinary science (ACV), Barcelona, Spain
• Association of Austrian small animal veterinarians (VÖK), Salzburg
• Association of Swiss veterinary nurses/assistants (VSTG), Basle
• IEMT, Zurich and Feusisberg, Switzerland
• Assoc. for nursing- and other home staff (VSA), Fehraltorf, Switzerland
• School of Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
• WHO/FAO Centre for Research & Training in Veterinary Public Health, Rome
• WHO Centre for Research & Training, Pet Therapy Course, Teramo, Italy
• WHO/IAHAIO Training Progam ÇZoonoses and Human-Animal InteractionsÈ, Sao Paulo, Brazil (September, 2001)
• Animal-Assisted Therapy Programm, I.E.A.P. and Azabu University, Kanagawa/Tokyo, Japan (since April, 2002)