CONCLUSIONS

We have tried to spread some of the basic aspects of project, releasing them in different forums, as for example the case of some universities, in a teacher training course sponsored by Cantabria´s government and through a summer course, but also other forums as in Lithuania and Romania where we have participated in international conferences.

Some education and animal professionals, linked to the cantabrian institution have provided suggestions after tracking the project since its beginning which has allowed a broader view of our methodology, both theoretical and practical.

We have involved some students in all phases of design, implementation and evaluation of all materials.

Finally the constant evaluation of the project by all members inter-and intra-institutionally has developed a consensus document about animal assisted interventions that we try to fit to our needs.

Throughout the project, recipients have been taken into account, because information of different phases has been shared with students, they have been involved in the preparation, development and post evaluation of some mobilities and with the campus celebrated in summer in Hungary in the month of May 2014 for Spanish and Romanian students.

During these two years, we have presented to the local communities participating institutions on the European project, both through communication media and by participating in educational meetings, cultural events...

It has been ensured that all students participate, regardless of their status by encouraging them, despite different difficulties.

We must say also that the students have been an important element in this project, through the participation and organization of, campus, development of therapy sessions, meetings and so on.

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT

The PAT project involves seven organisations sharing knowledge about the application of pet assisted therapy as a behavioral intervention with people with diverse needs and disabilities.  The learning partnership aims at the transnational exchange of experiences and tools developed in each partner country related to support and help for people in need through the use of pets and to support therapist as assistant. All partners use animals for therapeutic intervention to support people with disabilities or special needs and their families. Animals are a tool in the structured behavioral therapy we provide (and can act as a reinforcing stimulus of a particular skill or action).  We will share our knowledge and improve our practices based on what we learn from each other.
Learners will be involved in planning and delivering the project at all stages. The participants in the project activities will be will people older than 16 years. The project will bring benefits to people with special needs who are in need of an affective support making them feel active again in the society, less alone and isolated and make them feel active citizens. The project aims also at making the community aware of the issue of Animal Assisted Activities, so we will produce a training design on this matter. The partnership will organise transnational meetings, seminars with experts of the Third Sector and associations specialised in AAA - Animal Assisted Activities and AAT - Animal Assisted Therapies, visits to institutions and organisations dealing with the issue, in the partner countries. People with special needs will attend the transnational meetings. During the process, we´ll produce a handbook about the AAT as methodology, and a film about the AAT in Europe.