Plymouth/MN/USA

I have volunteered via Pet Partners with several species of animals for about twenty years in a variety of venues. I have an LLC that I do AAT work through as a counselor. I taught a Psych 450 AAT class for several years at Saint Mary’s University in Minneapolis, MN.

University of South Florida

Palm Harbor/FL/USA

I am a Behavioral Ecologist in Canid Research. My general field of practice is Psychology. I am affiliated with PTS Inc and USF.

Polyvagal Equine Institute

CA/USA

I have been actively engaged as a private practitioner since 1993. I created a practice incorporating horses, cats, dogs and the environment. I am affiliated with the Polyvagal Equine Institute.

Shenandoah University

Winchester/VA/USA

I have three therapy rabbits that I take to work with me, along with the local hospital, and other long-term care facilities. I am registered with Pet Partners for all three rabbits. I have been handling for 5.5 years. I have my PhD and my dissertation was “Effects of Companion animal exposure on Nursing students stress and anxiety levels.”

Asociación Europea de Terapias Ecuestres

Andalucia/GD/ES

Mi campo general de práctica es la Psicología. Fundé AETE, una organización que se centra en las intervenciones asistidas por animales. Hablo español solamente. 

AL/USA

I worked for 5 years with a facility/therapy dog in a courthouse setting. I specialized in substance abuse counseling and group therapy. My specialty is canine connection but I also have experience working with equines.

Ashburn/VA/USA

I have been volunteering with certified therapy dogs for over 20 years. We have worked in a variety of settings including healthcare, schools, libraries, juvenile detention center and teen mental health. My general field of practice is Animal Assisted Intervention Programs with Certified Therapy Dogs.

I have my certificate from Oakland University, Certified Human Animal Intervention Specialist. I have been practicing AAT for 8 years. My general field of practice is Social Work.

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg/VA/USA

I founded and coordinate Animal-Assisted Therapy program at Va Tech. We now have three full time dogs on staff! My general field of practice is Counseling.

University of Saskatchewan

Saskatoon/SK/CA

I have been a researcher in the AHI field, and therapy dog handler since 2013. I have worked independently doing AAIs, as part of a team doing AAT, and co-lead an AAE/Wellness program for inmates. My general fields of practice are Sociology and Public Health.

Animal Psychology and Health Institute

Porto Alegre/RS/BR

I am the external coordinator in the AAT master’s program at the University of Valencia, Spain. I work on projects in the areas of mental health, developmental disorders, learning problems and conflict in schools. I´m a Veterinary Behaviorist, MSc and PhD in Psychology. My general fields of practice are Psychology, Veterinary Medicine, and Animal Behavior.

Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León

San Nicolás de los Garza/NL/MX

My experience is in research in human-animal bonding. I am also the director of a thesis focused on AAI in sports with dogs. I am currently working in scale’s validation for intervention purposes. My general field of practice is Psychology.

California Polytechnic State University

CA/USA

I have worked in the field of HAI/AAI for decades. It is always a privilege to mentor our future generation of researchers and practitioners. My general field of practice is Psychology.

Argosy University San Francisco Bay Area and Brigham Wellness

Stony Brook/NY/USA

My experience has been around the therapeutic benefit of having a dog present when treating patients who manage mood and anxiety disorders. My general field of practice is Psychology. I got my PsyD from Argosy SF Bay Area and have a private practice.

In Step With Horses and Lake Erie College

Chesterland/OH/USA

I primarily practice social work incorporating equines. I have trained with several programs in the field including EAGALA, HERD Institute, and PATH international. I have presented at conferences and teach a course on equine-assisted psychotherapy and learning at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio. I have worked in the field for a dozen+ years. I take social work interns and work with students from several different universities, programs and backgrounds. I love teaching and mentoring.

Health Heelers Inc. and Carroll University

Menomonee Falls/WY/USA

I design standards-based programs and provide science-based, positive reinforcement training and education to animals, handlers and professionals in AAI. Founder, Health Heelers Inc. – professionally led, standards-based therapy animal organization. Adjunct Instructor in Animal Behavior program at Carroll University. Member of workgroups for competencies (Kogan/Johnson) and standardized terminology (Johnson/Parish-Plass)in AAI. Contributing author to “The Gifts We Receive from Animals” (Kogan).

Charles Sturt University

Wagga Wagga/AU

I am an Australian-based Lecturer of Psychology, with a PhD in Equestrian Psychology. My research addresses discourses around animal lives, gender and feminism, relationships, wellness, the environment, Indigenous perspectives, and the psychology of work, and all of these topics may connect directly or indirectly with the field of HAI. I conduct qualitative and quantitative research and my work is largely informed by a critical psychology perspective attendant to the ways in which power frameworks are enacted in psychology and in scientific research, especially in relation to HAI.

Karing Holmes K9 Handling and Animal Assisted Therapy Alberta

Red Deer County/AB/CA

I have been boarding and training dogs for 15 years. About 2 years ago with the needs on mental health spiking, we branched out into Animal Assisted Therapy and Service Canines. This year I became a qualified dog trainer under an organization directly involved with the Service Dog Act here in Alberta. It’s been an amazing experience.

San Antonio/TX/USA

I have worked with therapy animals as a volunteer. I have also worked as a special education teacher AAE and an LPC in a public school district. My general field of practice is Counseling.

Northern Michigan University

Marquette/MI/USA

I conducted and supervised graduate student research on AAT and AAA from 1999-2009. These were group and single subject designs. I am a licensed psychologist in Michigan and on occasion perform carefully controlled ESA assessments.  I am a retired tenure professor at Northern Michigan University. 

The Lands at Hillside Farms

Shavertown/PA/USA

In 2013, I created a farm-based service for children who have experienced trauma. I also serve on the Green Care advisory committee for the Commonwealth of Mass. Bureau of Adolescence Substance Abuse. My work here at Hillside Farms has led me to complete my master’s in animal welfare & animal behavior from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. I am also an animal welfare auditor for A Greener World.

The College of New Jersey

Ewing/NJ/USA

I am on my 4th dog as a therapy dog handler for over 15 years at senior centers and schools. I am also a college professor doing research (dog-assisted literacy; ESAs, volunteer motivation, school-based facility dogs) and have taught a senior capstone on AAI. My general field of practice is Psychology.

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Mattapoisett/MA/USA

I am a tenured professor with many years of clinical research experience. I am also certified to provide equine-assisted services and do so regularly with veterans and at-risk youth. My general field of practice is Psychology.

Grand Junction/CO/USA

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with Certificates in Animal Assisted Social Work and Canine Assisted Intervention Specialist. I have worked in partnership with animals (dogs/cats/rats/horses) in schools, non-profits, youth detention and incarceration and residential treatment. My general field of practice is Social Work.

Gallaudet University

DC and MD/USA

My HAI research, teaching, and practice areas intersect around disability, deafness/hearing loss, and service dog partnerships; service dog partner identity development; and service dog partner bereavement and loss, as well as issues specific to hearing dog partnerships. I have particular enthusiasm for supporting others doing HAI work at the intersections of diversity, equity, and inclusion. My general field of practice is Psychology.

NC State University

Apex/NC/USA

I have participated in HAI as an intern with Therapeutic horseback programs/education (nonprofits) and also companion animal HAI in various outreach and visiting pets program. I also currently support a canine training program for veterans. My general field of practice is Veterinary Medicine.

Soul Friends Inc.

Wallingford/CT/USA

I have a 20-year history of providing clinical animal-assisted interventions for children and families. I am a principal investigator of peer-reviewed journal articles. I have provided supervision to over 15 mental health professionals and collaboration with local and online universities.

University of Denver and Karen Pryor Academy

Colorado Springs/CO/USA

My experience as a member of HAI has been attending webinars and networking with other professionals. I have found the webinars to be highly useful to my own work and practice and appreciate the diversity of webinars offered within HAI. I have run animal-assisted programming for groups and individuals, children through adults, including both canine and equine therapies. I have about 10 years of experience in this area and graduated with a certificate in Animal Assisted Intervention from the University of Denver in 2012. My internship was at a service dog agency that ran programming for high-risk youth to learn to train dogs using positive reinforcement. I belong to networks of Animal Assisted practitioners as well as positive reinforcement animal trainers and have connections throughout the United States. I have started my own practice/business (half animal-assisted therapy and half dog training) in my community and could offer information on how to start up and some of the challenges of working in private practice, along with consultation for those interested in private practice who still want some support clinically. I am a Certified Training Partner of Karen Pryor Academy and have extensive experience in positive reinforcement animal training and behavior.

Cobleskill College and Karen Pryor Academy

Averill Park/NY/USA

I have worked for the last 20 years developing facility dog programs. I have written two books on the subject. I am a professional dog trainer and canine science adjunct professor. I love this work!

Denver/CO/USA

I completed the AASW program and have a therapy animal who I work with everyday to help clients! We have built programs for schools to have AAT and love helping others do so. My general field of practice is Social Work.

Traverse City/MI/USA

I work with my therapy dog to provide animal-assisted therapy and activities to students with disabilities. I work with ages preschool to 26 years old. My general field of practice is Special Education. I’m happy to talk to those interested, as well as have mentorship myself! It is always good to network and grow.

Idaho State University

Pocatello/ID/USA

At Idaho State University, I direct the Certificate Program in Animal Assisted Interventions in Counseling, offer AAIs in my clinical supervision, and incorporate AAIs in my teaching across the CACREP Core. I am the primary author of the American Counseling Association Competencies for Animal Assisted Therapy in Counseling while currently serving as a member of the Pet Partners Human-Animal Bond Advisory Board (HABAB). I have a background working with equines, rabbits, and dogs.

Bozeman/MT/USA, Fort Collins/CO/USA, MI/USA, WY/USA

I am a practicing Equine Assisted Psychotherapist in private virtual practice. My general field of practice is Counseling. I am located in the following areas: Bozeman, Montana; Fort Collins, CO; Michigan; and Wyoming USA

Hartpury University and University of Maine

Gloucestershire/UK, Newburgh/Westport Island/ME/USA

I have been involved in HAI research and teaching since the early 2000’s particularly in EAS (Equine Assisted Services), worked with HHRF, PATH International (formerly NARHA/EFMHA), IAHAIO/AAII, SME for AAAIP/Pet Partners, on ISAZ Board; currently Programme Manager and Lecturer of BSc (Hons) in Human-Animal Interaction at Hartpury University.

Human Canine Collaborative

Albany/NY/USA

I am a doctor of OT, human-animal bond facilitator, and dog bite prevention strategist. I have over 10 years of experience practicing and facilitating animal-assisted activities and cultivated expertise in AAI while in grad school through developing a CE course on best practices for canine-facilitated interventions and conducting an accreditation preparation for Dogwood Therapy Services, under the guidance of Melissa Winkle. Currently, I provide educational and therapeutic services focused on trauma recovery and trauma-informed care through cultivating skills in somatic consent, nervous system regulation, and human-canine communication. I also have over 15 years of experience working in canine behavior consulting, developing animal-assisted intervention programs in educational, carceral, and homelessness settings. I currently volunteer with the Co-Sheltering Collaborative, supporting their Racial Justice Initiative.

Constanta Wellness & Healing

Mullica Hill/NJ/USA

I have started two AAT programs. One at a public school district working with students and rescue animals (bearded dragon, hedgehog, Guinea pigs, and rats). Students learn life skills through budgeting for supplies, cleaning the animals’ cages, and networking with the community. I also started a private practice utilizing AAT on a farm with horses, dogs, pigs, goats, and more.

 

Animal Assisted Therapy Programs of Colorado

Portland/OR/USA

I co-founded AATPC in 2010 and it has grown from 2 clinicians/2 animals to a leading mental health center and training facility with over 10 staff and 30 animals. I run our training program where we have a post-graduate Certificate in Education in Animal Assisted Psychotherapy. I also have a business in Arvada, CO but work remotely and live in Portland, OR.