Announcements

New Animal Protection Law in Colorado -- The new law, for which Dr. Ascione provided testimony, includes animals in civil protection orders. Click here.

Denver Post features IHAC The Institute for Human-Animal Connection was recently featured in the Denver Post. Click here.

GSSW Magazine

Read about the Institute in the spring issue of 2010 GSSW MAGAZINE. Click here.

The Human-Animal Bond: Understanding the Intricate Relationship Between People and Animals -- This new course was taught fall quarter 2009 at the University of Denver by Professor Philip Tedeschi.  Click here.

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Continuing Education Faculty

Jen PearsonJen Pearson, MSW

Jen Pearson entered the social work profession after years of working as a riding instructor and dog handler. Her clinical work has focused on utilizing animal-assisted interventions with at-risk youth in settings such as Green Chimneys Children's Services, the Griffith Centers for Children and The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp. She was a member of Delta Society's Denver Pet Partners and participates in  Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association (EFMHA). She recently earned a Master of Science degree from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh in Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare. Jen is pictured with her retired therapy dog, Phoebe.

 

 

 

Ann HowieAnn Howie, LICSW, ACSW

Ann has enjoyed and learned from animals in her life since birth. Ann began integrating animals into her counseling practice in 1987 and has worked with animals in (human) healthcare ever since. She founded and coordinated a hospital animal-assisted activities and therapy program from 1990-1997. She has written two textbooks for animal-program coordinators and contributes to internationally recognized training books on handler skills, animal-handler evaluation, and Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) techniques.

Ann also provides therapy dog training and screening of animal-handler teams for appropriateness for animal-assisted interactions programs. She emphasizes animal well being in her work. Ann was Delta Society®’s Director of AAT Services from 1995-2000, and she is an Eden Associate. Ann is an adjunct faculty member at University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work in the on-line Animals in Human Health certificate.

Ann consults nationally and internationally through her business, Human-Animal Solutions. Ann shares her life with her husband Doug and (currently) a Standard Poodle, a Wheaten Terrier, and multitudes of wild birds and squirrels.

 

 

Sue TeumerSue Teumer, MSW

An educator by training, Sue has taught at all levels – graduate-level courses down through preschool and even parent/infant programs.  Her 25+ years of teaching have run the gamut from special education to gifted education as well as a stint in “regular education.”  She insists her most meaningful teaching experiences, though, are those she has shared with a variety of animals.

Sue has extensive experience in the field of animal-assisted interactions. She has developed and led animal-assisted education, activity and therapy programs for individuals of all ages, employing several models of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) and including animals of many different species.  What started by bringing her trained pot-bellied pig into schools to motivate increased language in young children grew into an opportunity to develop and run a therapeutic farm providing services for dozens of students each week.  She has served as a volunteer, trainer, evaluator and national board member for the Delta Society's Pet Partner program.  She has also worked as program coordinator, volunteer, instructor and Executive Committee member for HABIC, Human-Animal Bond in Colorado.  With Dr. Aaron Katcher, she co-authored a chapter for Aubrey Fine's Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy, (Second Edition).