Applying the SCAS Code of Practice

Abstract:

The Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) Code of Practice in AAI, initially published in 2013 and revised in 2019, has been updated and amended for those providing AAS. The code serves as a guide for professionals, patients, and the public, outlining crucial steps to achieve best practices, not only in the UK, but also in many countries worldwide. We are seeking to ensure the code is used widely and effectively implemented in developing and sustaining AAS programmes by all those practicing AAS. We need your support to share information about the code to an audience far beyond SCAS members and those who already know about and implement the Code of Practice. This will serve to ensure we uphold a consistent level of professionalism, to ensure ethical sustainability of AAS and most importantly promoting optimal wellbeing for both animals and humans. The new code will also provide sample risk assessments, and we are also developing short videos as well as written examples of code guidance in practice.

Speakers:

Clare’s academic background includes Psychology, Animal Behaviour, and Mental Health Counselling. During her PhD she began bringing together her interests in humans, animals and the environment within nature based and animal-assisted interventions and anthrozoology. Her doctoral dissertation looked at the impacts of Human-Equine Interaction on both horses and people, through the lens of Attachment Theory. While in the USA, she ran a diversified farm with her family, and worked with the UMaine System, Husson University, and Unity College, teaching, researching, and mentoring students in diverse areas, from Counsellor Education, Rehabilitation Services, and Psychology, to pre-Vet, developing and teaching courses such as Equine Nutrition, and Livestock and Companion Animal Behaviour to Medical Issues for Mental Health Counsellors and Mind-Body Connection. Since 2022 she has worked for Hartpury University where she is a Senior Lecturer in Human-Animal Interaction, and led the development and is currently teaching on and Programme Managing the Master’s degree in Animal Assisted Counselling and Psychology, and teaches on the BSc (Hons) degree in Human-Animal Interaction with Psychology, modules such as Human Behaviour Change for Animals, Animals in Education, and Contemporary Issues in Anthrozoology.

She has worked in nature based and animal-assisted services (AAS) for more than two decades, incorporating animal behaviour into her work, particularly recognising the value awareness of animal behaviour can bring to personal growth and development. Clare’s past voluntary roles included working with Domestic Violence, Grieving Children, and youth STEM non-profits, to being on the Board of Directors for Maine Grass Farmers Network and Maine Sheep Breeders Associations.

Clare has been a grant reviewer and SAC member for HHRF since its inception, and chair of the SAC since 2023. She is also on the Board of Trustees for the Society of Companion Animal Studies (SCAS), and is an International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ) Board member and member of the ISAZ membership and development committees, and co-chaired the ISAZ 2024 Conference at Hartpury University. She was a member of the EFMHA BOD and chaired the research committee (part of what is now PATH International), completing two annotated bibliographies on EAS in the mid to late 2000’s. She is a subject matter expert for Pet Partners and IAHAIO, and a content reviewer for Leif Hallberg’s 2018 books The Clinical Practice of Equine Assisted Therapy & The Equine Assisted Therapy Workbook. She is part of the IAHAIO Research Standards in AAS/HAI/HAB working group, the AASI/IAHAIO IC/AAI Provider Education working group, and the SCAS AAS/ED, Conference and Research working groups.

Clare has worked with, observed, and valued animals and their behaviour since childhood, until her return to the UK, she and her family ran a 70-acre diversified farm in Maine (USA) using sustainable and organic methods. Now living in Gloucestershire, she enjoys walks in the beautify countryside with her son, and artistic endeavours in her ‘spare’ time.