SEG Awards Level 3 Diploma in Animal-Assisted Intervention (RQF)

Animal-assisted intervention (AAI) is the broad umbrella term covering any structured, goal-directed interaction between a person and an animal that is designed to improve wellbeing or support a specific outcome. Within AAI, animal-assisted activity (AAA) refers to informal, motivational interactions delivered by a trained handler and animal — such as visiting a care home to allow residents to pet a dog. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a more structured, clinically supervised subset where the animal interaction is integrated into a formal therapeutic treatment plan delivered by a credentialled health professional. This diploma covers the full AAI spectrum, providing the knowledge base relevant to both.

No — the Level 3 Diploma in Animal-Assisted Intervention is delivered entirely online and assessed through written assignments. You do not need to own or have access to a therapy animal to study or complete this qualification. The course teaches you the knowledge and principles of AAI practice; practical animal handling experience, where appropriate, would come through supervised practice and professional volunteering once qualified.

Yes — this is an SEG Awards Level 3 Diploma on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), regulated by Ofqual, the UK's national qualifications regulator. SEG Awards is a reputable Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation. The diploma is recognised by employers, healthcare commissioners, and practitioners across the AAI sector as a rigorous, evidence-based qualification. It also provides a strong foundation for membership of professional AAI organisations and for further study in animal behaviour, counselling, or health and social care.

While dogs are the most commonly encountered animal in AAI practice in the UK, a wide range of species are used in different AAI contexts — including cats, horses (in equine-assisted intervention), rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, and in some settings, farm animals and alpacas. The most appropriate animal depends on the client group, the setting, the goals of the intervention, and the welfare requirements of the animal. The course covers the principles of animal selection, suitability assessment, and welfare management across species rather than focusing on a single animal type.

This diploma provides the foundational knowledge and qualification you need to work professionally in AAI — including the legal, ethical, and practical frameworks for practice. Setting up an independent AAI practice also requires appropriate insurance, a suitability-assessed animal, experience delivering supervised AAI, and in many cases, membership of a professional AAI organisation. The course covers all the knowledge elements of this, and your graduate status will support you in meeting the professional standards required to practice independently.

Most learners complete the diploma in six to twelve months, studying around eight to ten hours per week. The course is fully self-paced and there is no fixed start date, so you can progress faster or slower depending on your personal and professional commitments. All eight units must be completed and assessed before the diploma certificate is issued.

The diploma prepares you to work with a diverse range of client groups — including children and young people, older adults, individuals with physical or learning disabilities, people with autism spectrum conditions, those with mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and individuals in rehabilitation or palliative care settings. The unit on health and wellbeing benefits covers evidence for AAI across all of these populations in depth.

Student Finance England funding is not available for this qualification. However, you can spread the cost with a flexible monthly payment plan — enrol for just £9.99 deposit and pay the remainder over 11 months. We accept payment by credit card, debit card, PayPal, and Klarna. If you are already working in a health or social care role, it is worth exploring whether your employer has a learning and development budget that could contribute to the cost of the course.

Animal-assisted activity (AAA) involves informal, non-goal-specific interactions between people and animals — for example, a handler bringing a dog into a care home for general enrichment. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is goal-directed and clinically supervised, forming part of a treatment plan managed by a qualified health professional. Animal-assisted intervention is the overarching term that covers both. This diploma qualifies you to work across the AAI spectrum and gives you the theoretical and ethical grounding to understand where your practice sits within it.