1. Regulation of the law in AAI, aspects of strength and weaknesses: the Italian situation that "forgets" to regulate the preparation and the certification criteria of the dogs involved.
The study aims to provide an overview of the current situation in Italy of the AAI after the approval of the laws for the regulation and recognition of professional figures.
A path that was necessary because of the complete absence of rules that sometimes led to negative consequences in practice, even to the detriment of users. An overview of the strong aspects of the trend but also a criticism of the lack of attention to the other fundamental aspect of the AAI: the preparation and certification of dogs.
There is not yet a single protocol, there is no recognition throughout the national territory of the role of service and assistance and Emotional Support Dog, there are no rules for the protection of privacy and the criteria for selecting the dog, preparation and certification.
Suggestions and hypotheses for the future, to guarantee protection and well-being.
Associazione Culturale «Centro Cinofilo LA MADONNINA», Italy
IAHAIO, Amsterdam 2018
Dr. Luisa Di Biagio, Psychologist, Chartered Member of the BPS, British Psychological Society, Counselor, Expert in counseling and sexual education and expert in Autism, Parent Training and IAA, Professional Dog trainer. She has been diagnosed Autistic herself as an adult. She has two children, and six dogs, and carries out clinical activities, education, and participation in national and international congresses and is author of numerous publications.
Rebecca Di Biagio, Professional Educator, Professional Dog Traner, IAA Operator

2. Strong Aspects of the Italian Regulation of AAI
In 2015, Italy finally regulated the AAI. The compliance time has been more than two years. Currently there are regions that still have to fully comply with the legislation. The Guidelines were necessary because until 2015/1017 there was no reference and anyone could practice AAI, without control, without references, without training, without guarantee of protection.
Strong Aspects of the Italian Regulation of AAI
Main Critical issues of the italian Regulation of AAI
Guidelines provide a unique protocol for the training of operators.
Establish ethical and practical criteria to refer to for the structure of the interventions.
Outline the figures of the professionals involved.
Organize differences in preparation for the different professional figures involved.
Highlight the importance of the work team.
Recognizes the species differences of the animals involved, and their different needs.
Identify the importance of users protection and establish monitoring to evaluate the actual benefits.
Inconsistency with professional authorizations for the Psychologist: The role of AAT “Manager” is forbidden to Psychologists who are not also psychotherapists;
Presumption that only the veterinary surgeon can be an expert in the canine behavior.
PREPARATION AND EVALUATION OF DOG, CAT AND RABBIT: Preparation and evaluation criteria for Cat and Rabbit are not expected or considered.
PREPARATION AND EVALUTATION OF DOG: Guidelines refer to the criteria of the ADI (Assistance Dogs International), but these criteria are not respected, checked and the guidelines themselves are inconsistent with the time of preparation of the dog (Theoretical and Practical course of 56 hours against a preparation needed for two years), the indication is very vague. The result is that dogs are involved without any preparation and whose certification is not organized according to unique criteria but left to the individual evaluation of the single behavioral veterinary physician.

3. Future prospects: What are we doing?
Our Service and Assistance dogs and our projects
What are we doing?
I joined the initiative of other colleagues to request the recognition of the role of AAT Referent for Psychologists, I sent my request to the National Reference Center for the recognition of the role of AAT Manager too. We are confident waiting.
I am cooperating with the ENCI (Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italia, Italian Kennel Club) for the recognition of Guidelines for the AAI in Autism and for the preparation and evaluation of the dogs involved in all AAI projects in the Lombardy Region.
I have realized and I am carrying on the BAU-tismo project (BAU is the Italian word for "Woof"), for the preparation of operators and dogs for autism interventions. The course has as many hours of theory as practical (200 hours) and provides an internship of at least 50 hours.
Our dogs are specifically trained for a period of no less than two years
Our projects, active for more than twenty years, follow the highest standards of protection and wellbeing for users, operators and animals involved
Contact: