Why Join

Join the Australian peak body of the animal-assisted services sector and have your say on the future of this young and fast-growing sector.

The animal-assisted services sector is made up of a range of different professionals who have animals working alongside them as a key part of their service delivery:

• Allied Health professionals – Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT)
• Educators, Coaches, Learning and Development professionals – Animal-Assisted Learning (AAL)
• Professional Animal Handler Teams whose animals have been assessed as suitable for visits to workplaces, hospitals, aged care homes, places of study and other institutions – Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA)
• Professional Assistance Animal Trainers who satisfy certain standards required to train mainly dogs to help people with a disability better access public life. (AA)

Membership gives you access to the most comprehensive portal of information on the Australian animal-assisted services sector, training, accreditation, professional development, events, articles, research, National Conference, careers and more.

Animal Therapies Ltd (ATL) plays an important role in advancing the understanding, acceptance and accessibility of animal-assisted services for those in need. Your membership will support our registered health promotion charity in promoting the prevention and management of mental illness, disability and illness through animal-assisted services.

The sector is young and we see ATL’s role as being key in supporting its ethical and responsible growth to ensure that those in need can get the help they need. ATL fulfils a critical role within the animal-assisted services sector as will your involvement in the charity. The objectives of ATL include; but are not limited to:

• Providing a united voice for the animal-assisted services sector;
• Delivering a consistent Code of Ethics and Code of Standards to the sector;
• Growing the reach of the National Directory of Animal-Assisted Service Providers;
• Advocating on behalf of its membership to funding bodies for better access to services;
• Delivering education to the general public and medical professionals to increase the referral base;
• Connecting service providers with training and professional development opportunities;
• Creating meaningful employment opportunities for Australians.

Become a member of the peak body for the Australian Animal-Assisted Services Sector.

All Membership is subject to:

• Abiding by ATL Code of Ethics (Link)
• Being accepted by the ATL Board of Directors
• Agreeing to support the objects as outlined in the ATL constitution (Link)
• Membership being non-refundable once approved by the Board

Individuals are eligible for Ordinary Membership with ATL if they are not less than 18 years of age at the time of application and are a recipient or seeks to be a recipient of an animal-assisted service; or is a carer of a recipient or individual seeking to be a recipient of an animal-assisted service.

Individuals and organisations are eligible for Professional Membership with ATL whether if they provide or intend to provide animal-assisted services to the public.

Individuals are eligible for Affiliate Membership if they have an interest or involvement in the animal assisted services sector.

*subject to approval