Faculty

 

Frank R. Ascione, Ph.D.
Executive Director,
Institute for Human Animal Connection

Dr. Ascione received his doctoral degree in developmental psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1973. Formerly a professor in the Department of Psychology and adjunct professor in Family and Human Development at Utah State University (USU) and now, Emeritus Professor, he is Professor, inaugural American Humane Endowed Chair, and Executive Director of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work. Additionally, he has been an adjunct faculty member with the American Humane Association, past president of the Southwestern Society for Research in Human Development and was a member of the cadre of experts for The American Psychological Association’s Presidential Task Force on Violence and the Family.

Dr. Ascione has conducted research related to humane education and children’s attitudes toward animals. More recently, he has focused his attention on child and adolescent animal abuse. This research examines the common roots of violence toward people and animals and is directed at identifying an early indicator of at-risk status in children. An invited speaker at local, national, and international conferences, Dr. Ascione has collaborated with human services, social work, and child development staff working with abused children, with youth corrections personnel, and with state shelters for women who are battered. Most recently, the American Humane Association, the Scott Charitable Trust, and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation have supported his work. Dr. Ascione serves on the Child and Animal Abuse Prevention Advisory Council of the Latham Foundation and is member of the American Psychological Association, the Society for Research in Child Development, International Society for Anthrozoology, International Society for Research on Aggression, and International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.

Dr. Ascione has published numerous articles on the development of antisocial and prosocial behavior in children, co-edited two books Cruelty to animals and interpersonal violence: readings in research and application (1998), Child abuse, domestic violence, and animal abuse: Linking the circles of compassion for prevention and intervention (1998), and authored Safe havens for pets: Guidelines for programs sheltering pets for women who are battered. Children and animals: Exploring the roots of kindness and cruelty was published in 2005 by Purdue University Press (the book has been translated into Japanese and Italian editions). The international handbook of animal abuse and cruelty: Theory, research, and application, edited by Dr. Ascione, was published in May 2008. Dr. Ascione was selected to receive the 2001 Distinguished Scholar Award from the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations and the International Society for Anthrozoology. He serves on the editorial boards of Anthrozoös, and Aggression and Violent Behavior

Philip Tedeschi, MSSW, LCSW
Associate Clinical Professor
Clinical Director,
Institute for Human Animal Connection

Philip Tedeschi is an Animal-Assisted Social Work and Experiential Therapy Specialist and co-founder of the Institute for Human –Animal Connection programs at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW). Tedeschi is the Clinical Director of The Institute for Human-Animal Connection and coordinates the school's Animal-Assisted Social Work Certificate program for Master of Social Work (MSW) students, as well as the Animals and Human Health online professional development certificate program. He also teaches MSW courses in forensic social work and experiential therapy approaches, with emphasis on conservation and environmental social work in areas such as East Africa and the inclusion of animals in therapeutic settings. A certified Master Therapeutic Riding Instructor, former course director and instructor with Outward Bound, wilderness medical technician, he has many years of experience in non-traditional therapeutic approaches with children, adults and families, as well as in interpersonal violence including, assessment and intervention with animal abuse, attachment, trauma disordered and sexually abusive youth and adults.

 

 

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