🟦 ESAAT Accreditation

Quality assurance in animal-assisted intervention

ESAAT accreditation represents Europe-wide recognized quality standards in the field of education and training in animal-assisted intervention.

It provides training providers with clear guidance and ensures transparency for participants, institutions, and cooperation partners.

🎯 Objective of Accreditation

The objective of ESAAT accreditation is to ensure and continuously develop the quality of training programs and to establish comparable standards across Europe.

🔀 Two Accreditation Pathways

ESAAT clearly distinguishes between two types of training:

🐾 Basic Training: Human–Animal Team

The basic training is intended for individuals who wish to be trained and assessed together with their animal as a human–animal team for animal-assisted work.

🎯 Objective:
Training and assessment of a human–animal team for animal-assisted work within a professional or social context.

🔎 Key focus:
The focus lies on the interaction between human and animal, the suitability of the team, and the practical implementation in real-life settings.

🧠 Professional Training in Animal-Assisted Intervention

The professional training is intended for individuals with an existing professional background who wish to plan, implement, reflect on, and document animal-assisted interventions in a professional context.

🎯 Objective:
Advanced qualification for the professional and methodologically sound application of animal-assisted interventions.

🔎 Key focus:
Emphasis is placed on professional competence, structured and methodical work, target group-oriented planning, and the integration of animal-assisted interventions into the respective professional field.

📋 What is assessed during accreditation?

Accreditation is based on clearly defined ESAAT minimum standards.

The following aspects are assessed:

✔ Structure and content of the curriculum
✔ Qualifications and practical experience of the teaching staff
✔ Scope and quality of practical training
✔ Transparency and documentation
✔ Examination structure and quality assurance

🔄 Accreditation Process

1️⃣ Submission of application documents
2️⃣ Formal and content-related review
3️⃣ Professional evaluation by experts
4️⃣ Feedback and, if necessary, submission of additional documents
5️⃣ Accreditation decision

⚖️ Key Framework Conditions

✔ Accreditation is granted per training program
✔ ESAAT membership requires at least one active accreditation
✔ Initial accreditation is valid for 2 years
✔ Re-accreditation is valid for 4 years
✔ Each additional training program requires a separate accreditation

🧾 Preparation for Accreditation

Please ensure that your training concept is carefully aligned with the current ESAAT requirements and documents before submission.

👉 Access Accreditation Documents

Here you will find all relevant documents, checklists, and application forms: