APWA-ICofA was first developed by:
ICofA - International Community of Anthrozoology
as a tool for screening animals for animal-assisted interventions. It later became a research project in collaboration with Hungarian researchers, including Ádám Miklósi, a leading expert in dog behavior.
APWA-ICofA has since expanded to a wider audience, offering international certification courses for new APWA-ICofA evaluators. The program continues to grow, with tests for horses and farm animals in development.
APWA-ICofA knowledge base:
We are proud of our distinguished panel of experts, whose extensive knowledge in animal behavior and cognition ensures the highest quality standards are maintained and further developed.
Christine Olsen
President of ICofA
Dr. Christine Olsen has a masters degree in ethology, higher education in special needs education and rehabilitation, and a PhD in public health focusing on animal-assisted interventions. Her research is frequently cited and is rated in the top 5% of all research outputs ever tracked by Almetric. Dr. Olsen is also a dog behaviorist and dog trainer, and screens dogs' personality around the Europe. She travels with her lectures about AAS, dog mental tests, and animal welfare as a speaker at international conferences.
Line Sandstedt
Vice president
She is a lector in science and a postgraduate in special needs education and coaching. Sandstedt is also a dog behaviourist and dog trainer, and screen dogs personality for AAS. Sandstedt gives courses in dog training both nationally and internationally. She is responsible for all of the education given by Dyrebar Omsorg, both dog training and training of human-animal teams. Line has worked for the organization since 2006.
It all started in Norway
The APWA-ICofA test was developed by ethologists and researchers specializing in animal behavior. The current version was created by the International Community of Anthrozoology (ICofA) in 2006.
ICofA - International Community of Anthrozoology
has worked within the field of animal-assisted services (AAS) for over 20 years. They are a well-established international organization in the field of therapy animals. ICofA educates and certifies new AAS teams, conducts research on the effects of animal-assisted services, and has co-authored several books in collaboration with other organizations worldwide.
ICofA developed the APWA-ICofA test to assess dogs and other animals for their suitability in animal-assisted services. The test identifies animals that are not well-suited for this type of work, thereby safeguarding welfare and ensuring that approved animals respond appropriately in challenging situations.