Graduate Level Internships

 

2024 - 2025 Internship Application

AATPC partners with universities and colleges to provide an internship program for Master's and Doctoral level mental health students. The Internship Program at AATPC will provide both training and supervision, as well as experience working with a variety of clients using Animal Assisted Psychotherapy. We require a 12-month commitment of 20-hours per week (regardless of graduation date). All interns are required to work a minimum of 5 hours each weekend and at least 2 evenings per week. In addition all interns are required to attend staff meetings and group supervision on Thursdays from 11:00am – 2:00pm.

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We take on new interns three times each year, in January, May and August/September. Please submit your completed application along with a resume and cover letter via the contact information below at least 4 months prior to the month you hope to begin your internship, as we will begin conducting interviews at approximately 3 months out. 

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During your initial weeks you will be given an intern orientation and training that will prepare you in both an administrative and clinical capacity for your future career. After your orientation, you may begin working with clients immediately as it is our priority to provide a maximum of 12 client hours per week for you (most interns are capped at 10-12 clients per week). In addition to client sessions and case file management, this position will have other responsibilities, which will include administrative or administrative support work, ranch and animal care, and programmatic support. Supervision will be provided for all tasks that are asked of you. Because this is a working ranch, there is non-clinical work that is expected of all staff, including interns, to maintain the health and well-being of the animals and cleanliness of the facility, as well as to support the non-profit.

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We do not require you to work with your own animal, however if you choose to bring an animal to work with you, it must be your own pet and they will be part of a secondary interview process. Animals other than dogs do not necessarily need to be trained “therapy” animals, but must have an appropriate temperament and personality for the job and be obedience trained. For dogs: the intern must be willing to train and certify their animal during their internship with AATPC PRIOR to being able to bring the dog onsite. (Dog training and Certification will be at the intern’s expense and we can connect you with the organization we recommend using.) All interns will receive training in working with our therapy animals that live on the ranch and will have access to working with these animals onsite with clients. 

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Due to our high client load and the nature of our office, we do require that all interns have previous Practicum experience in a supervised, clinical setting, or clinical work experience.

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Internship Requirements

• Completion of Practicum or have provided similar mental health counseling experience

• 12 month commitment

• 20 hours per week including 5 hours per weekend and 2 evenings per week until 8 pm

• Intern will participate in all trainings and supervisions provided at AATPC (free of charge with the option to complete the full AAP Certificate Program)

• At least one session per month must be monitored or audio or video taped for supervision purposes.

• Intern will attend one hour of individual supervision per week

• Intern will attend mandatory team meetings and group supervisions each week on Thursdays from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm.

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Duties may include:

• Psychotherapy - Direct client hours

  • Children

  • Adolescents

  • Adults

  • Couples

  • Families

  • Seniors

  • Veterans

  • Veterinary Counseling Program

• Group Therapy

  • Start own groups

  • Assist with currently-run groups (addictions, animal loss support group, animal care provider support group, etc.)

• Administrative Support (this is a partial list)

  • Responding to calls and emails from students seeking information about AAP

  • Giving tours of the Ranch

  • Assisting volunteers with animal and housekeeping duties

  • Supporting fund raising activities & volunteer events

  • Public speaking or representing AATPC at public functions and community events

  • Assistance cleaning the offices as needed

  • Assistance with Ranch Animals, including cleaning stalls!

 

The Application Process

If you are interested in applying to our Internship Program, please complete the attached Application and submit it along with a current resume and cover letter that specifically details your experience that may be relevant to this position. You can email it to the Clinical Director, Anna Miller at  internship@aatpc.org

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Please note that the application process may include three stages for selected candidates:

1. Online application

2. Individual interview

3. Group interview if necessary

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For questions, please contact Anna Miller at 720-266-4444 x 120 or internship@aatpc.org.