PADA Evaluator Workshop
Become a Certified PADA Evaluator
Are you passionate about animal-assisted services? Enhance your expertise and take your skills to the next level with our Personality Assessment of Domestic Animals (PADA) Evaluator Certification Workshop. This exclusive training is designed for professionals in therapy, education, and support settings eager to learn how to assess a dog’s personality and match them with appropriate roles.
What is PADA?
The Personality Assessment for Domestic Animals (PADA) is a structured, science-based method for assessing a dog’s personality traits. It helps professionals determine a dog’s suitability for animal-assisted services and ensures that the dogs selected for therapeutic, educational, or support environments are well-suited for the specific roles they will play.
Workshop Benefits
- Comprehensive Understanding of PADA
- Dive deep into the PADA framework and learn how to apply it effectively in various animal-assisted service settings.
- Hands-on Experience
- Develop practical skills by evaluating real-life dog personality traits in a controlled environment, guided by expert instructors.
- PADA Evaluator Certification
- Upon successful completion, you’ll receive certification as a qualified PADA Evaluator, opening up new career opportunities in the animal-assisted services field.
- Guidance for Professionals
- Learn how to provide informed recommendations to guide professionals in selecting dogs for therapy, education, and support services.
- Commitment to Animal Welfare
- Equip yourself with the tools and knowledge to ensure best practices in animal welfare and enhance the overall quality of therapy dog programs.
Who Should Attend?
This workshop is ideal for professionals working with dogs in therapy or educational settings, including:
- Veterinarians
- Animal Behaviorists
- Educators
- Animal-Assisted Therapy Practitioners
- Whether you're a seasoned expert or new to the field, our hands-on, immersive training will elevate your ability to assess and certify dogs for their future roles.
Why Choose PADA Evaluator Certification?
By becoming a certified PADA Evaluator, you will:
- Enhance your credentials and stand out as a leader in animal-assisted services.
- Gain confidence in evaluating dog personality traits and matching them to appropriate roles.
- Help improve animal welfare by using a scientifically validated assessment method.
Instructor
Dr. Christine Olsen
Dr. Olsen is the co-developer, together with Line Sandstedt, and the chief leader of PADA. She holds a master’s degree in ethology and a PhD in public health, focusing on the effects of animal-assisted services. She is both a certified cat and dog behaviorist and a certified dog instructor. For several years, she held the position of Felino Technician at Royal Canin. Notably, she spearheaded the development of the Personality Assessment of Domestic Animals (PADA), a screening test to evaluate the suitability of animals—such as cats, dogs, horses, and farm animals—for roles in animal-assisted services. Throughout her career, Dr. Olsen has collaborated on numerous international projects, building a vast network that includes some of the most respected figures in the field of human-animal relationships and animal-assisted services. Many of these individuals are now staunch supporters of the International Community of Anthrozoology (ICofA), a global community uniting practitioners, researchers, educators, and professionals in anthrozoology. Her research has focused on dog mentality, and she is the author of several peer-reviewed research articles and book chapters on domestic dog and cat behavior, animal-assisted services, and the human-animal relationship. In 2004, she founded the Norwegian Center of Anthrozoology, which expanded in 2019 to become the International Community of Anthrozoology (ICofA), where she currently serves as president.
Workshop Schedule
This 4.5-day workshop will run 9 a.m.–4 p.m. daily, with the final day ending at 12 p.m.
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Day 1: Introduction & Theoretical Foundations
09:00–09:30 Welcome and Course Overview
- Introduction to the PADA framework
- Goals and expectations for the course
09:30–10:15 The Role of Dogs in AAS
- Importance of personality assessments
- Benefits of using suitable dogs in AAS
10:15–10:30 Coffee Break
10:30–12:00 Personality Dimensions in Dogs
- Key traits: Fearfulness, sociability, boldness, responsiveness to training, and activity
- Case studies and examples
12:00–13:30 Lunch
13:00–14:00 Proxemics and Behavior in AAS Dogs
- Personal space zones in dogs
- How to interpret body language
14:00–14:15 Coffee Break
14:15–15:30 Workshop: Group Analysis of Case Studies
- Groups discuss video examples of dog behavior
- Identifying personality traits and potential challenges
15:30–16:00 Q&A and Recap
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Day 2: Evaluator Skills, Workshops & Preparation
09:00–09:15 Review of Day 1
09:15–10:15 Role of the Evaluator
- Observation techniques
- Standardization and reliability
10:15–10:30 Coffee Break
10:30–12:00 MCPQ-R Questionnaire and Pre-Test Preparation
- How to analyze pre-test information
- Setting expectations for handlers
12:00–13:30 Lunch
13:00–14:15 Practical Training: Observation of Dog Behavior
- Identifying personality traits through video analysis
- Individual and group feedback
14:15–14:30 Coffee Break
14:30–16:00 Workshop: Designing a PADA Test Scenario
- Groups create hypothetical test scenarios
- Presentation and peer feedback
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Day 3: Practical Evaluations & Group Discussions
09:00–09:15 Overview of Practical Sessions
09:15–12:00 PADA Evaluations
- Observing and assessing real PADA Tests
12:00–13:30 Lunch
13:00–14:30 PADA Evaluations
- Continued evaluations
14:30–14:45 Coffee Break
14:45–16:00 Workshop: Group Reflection on Evaluation Findings
- Groups discuss their observations
- Sharing insights and refining evaluation techniques
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Day 4: Practical Evaluations & Summary
09:00–10:30 PADA Evaluations
- Observing and assessing real PADA Tests
10:30–10:45 Coffee Break
10:45–12:00 Summary of Evaluation Findings
- Group discussions on assessment results
- Insights and key takeaways
12:00–13:30 Lunch
13:00–14:30 Workshop: Preparing for Certification and Next Steps
- Groups outline strategies for continuing education
- Best practices for working with AAS dogs
14:30–14:45 Coffee Break
14:45–16:00 Certification Pathways and Final Reflections
- Preparation for the final day
- Q&A and feedback
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Day 5 (Half-Day): Course Wrap-Up & Diploma Ceremony
09:00–10:00 Final Group Reflection
- Sharing overall course experiences
- Discussing next steps in AAS education and certification
10:00–10:30 Evaluator Feedback and Q&A
- Individual feedback from evaluators
- Clarifications on certification pathways
10:30–11:00 Coffee Break
11:00–12:00 Diploma Ceremony and Closing Remarks
- Presentation of PADA diplomas
- Networking and farewells
Additional Notes:
- Handlers should bring their dogs on Days 3 and 4 for evaluations.
- Workshops are designed to encourage collaboration and the practical application of theory.