The Italian Animal Relational Approach (TIARA) is an innovative integrated approach to animals which has been developed in the past decade in Italy. As professionals working in the field of animal education, behaviour and human-animal relationship, after earning degrees, gaining personal skills and plenty of work experience, our team is now offering this effective tool to animal welfare practicioners worldwide!
WHAT IS TIARA ALL ABOUT?
TIARA bases its theoretical foundations on a Cognitive-Zooanthropological (CZ) approach: cognitive because it has been influenced by (human) cognitive-behaviuor psychology and considers animals’ capability to elaborate mental processes, instead of relying only on innate instincts and automatic reflexes; each individual is capable of its own subjective mental processes, influenced by social and environmental experiences.
Zooanthropology derives from ethology (study of animal behaviuor) and applies to both animal as well as human behaviuor, in relation to each other. From this standpoint, we consider ourselves “human animals” (for we, too, belong to the animal kingdom) in relation to “other non-human animals”; this implies that animals are not considered of secondary importance or mere tools in the hands of man, but as individuals with their own dignity and a specific role in life on this planet.
Integrated means that we believe in using different techniques to gain our goals of wellbeing for you and your pets! TIARA is the first and only relational approach that also relies on building self-awareness in the owner, as well as building confidence and a strong bond with the pet
On a practical level, our approach focuses on deeply understanding and effectively responding to animals’ basic ethological needs, thus building a relationship based on mutual trust and respect, promoting a correct contact with companion animals and improving their integration in social and family environments. In this perspective, animals are bearers of unique features, and seeing the world through their eyes can promote wellbeing, empathy and wider perspectives in humans.
RELATIONSHIP INSTEAD OF REWARDS!
The word Relational implies that our main focus is to establish a deep bond between human and non-human individuals. In order to do so, we believe the first step is knowlegde: learning animals’ specific anatomic, physiologic and ethologic (behavioural) needs, in order to know if we are acting in a respectful way towards the animal. Only by acquiring this knowledge it is possible to create a relationship based on understanding, communication, mutual respect and trust.
We are not saying that we loathe rewards in general: food rewards and treats can be a very effective tool to use in early stages of pet education… But once we have built a strong bond, the need for food rewards will automatically decrease, in favor of other forms of deeper fulfillment.
FORGET TRAINING… GO FOR EDUCATION INSTEAD!
We do not offer any form of training in our approach, as traditional trainings usually rely on animals gradually getting used to doing / not doing something, based on reward and punishment.
In TIARA, we believe in understanging animals and their basic needs, communicating, and finally educating them (and educating ourselves as owners) to gain the rewarding relationship we long for.
This can easily be understood by comparing different methods in child education: while old-school methods of reward and punishment have been used for ages, educating children through a gentle approach based on understanding, respect and trust, can lead to a deeper bond. Although results may look similar on a superficial plane (=gaining a well-behaved child), reward /punishment methods can deeply undermine the trust and bond between child and adult. In the same way, yelling at your pet or punishing him might apparently lead to the desired effect (= a well-behaved pet), but can deeply undermine the respect and trust your pet should have in their owner.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST: INTEGRATING A HOLISTIC VISION OF LIFE…
For us, the first step to understanding another creature is connecting to your own Truth. We have integrated our approach with a holistic (body-mind-soul) vision of our purpose in life, and through practices such as meditation, aware yogic breathing, visualizations, positive affirmations and coaching exercises, we promote change in people before promoting change in their pets… This means really entering in deep contact with yourself, with animals and with mother Nature.
Release your full potential in the human-animal relationship with TIARA and enjoy a better quality of life in tune with Nature!