As a passionate writer, educator, researcher, and the founder of Empathic Paws, my dedication lies in bringing the incredible benefits of therapy dogs to adolescents in your high school.

My Journey

My educational journey includes a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Stonehill College, a master’s degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Manhattanville College. Since 2005, I’ve been committed to the adolescent learner, developing curriculum that nurtures empathy, advocacy, and social responsibility for secondary students. This commitment is what led me to my groundbreaking qualitative research in “Therapy Dogs in Secondary Schools: Implementation Processes & Relationships to Students’ Social-Emotional Competencies,” and equips me in providing invaluable insights to the therapy dog implementation process.

The Power of the Paw

Not only am I a dedicated professional, but I also live with my family, which includes our four dogs, in the dog-friendly Sound Shore region of Westchester County, New York. My commitment to Empathic Paws goes beyond my professional life (I too have benefited from the human-animal bond for close to four decades.), making me the perfect champion for bringing therapy dogs into your school environment.

I firmly believe in the untapped potential of the human-animal bond as a genuine way to address the social-emotional needs of a school community, and beyond. Empathic Paws is dedicated to supporting institutions in incorporating animal-assisted therapies, including therapy dogs, utilizing research-based policy and programmatic protocols to meet and potentially exceed the physical, mental, and emotional needs of all stakeholders.

The Empathic Paws’ Approach

To ensure a smooth and successful integration of a therapy dog program in your school, I will use my original 10 Empathic Steps to Establishing a Therapy Dog Program in Your High School. The 10 Empathic steps to Establishing a Therapy Dog Program in Your High School will assist in implementing, establishing, and maintaining the long-term sustainability of a customized therapy dog program for your specific school and identified area of need, as well as educate, honor and empower stakeholders by:

• Presenting comprehensive information on animal-assisted therapies and related topics to ensure all stakeholders are well-informed prior to the implementation process.
• Remaining rooted in collaboration and empowerment, identified stakeholders will be included in the process.
• Providing empathic guidance and expertise to navigate every step of the implementation process

There is no better thought than knowing your visit to Empathic Paws means you are one step closer to creating a unique therapy dog program that enriches the lives of your students and members of your learning community. Together, let’s harness the transformative power of the human-animal bond and enhance the well-being of all who call your high school home.