Career Paths in Human-Animal Interaction for Social and Behavioral Scientists

Lori R. Kogan, PhD, is Professor of Clinical Sciences at Colorado State University, USA. She is the Chair of the Human-Animal Interaction section of the American Psychological Association and Editor of the Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin, an open-access, online publication supported by the American Psychological Association.Phyllis Erdman, PhD, is a professor of counseling at Washington State University and is a licensed mental health counselor, and past chair of the Human-Animal Interaction section of Division 17 of the American Psychological Association. She has been working in the field of human-animal interaction for over ten years, including assessment of equine therapeutic interventions, pet grief, and documenting the need for emotional support animals.

• IntroductionPart 1: Academic – Traditional From Biopsychology to Human Behavioural Work to HAI Research: One Academician’s PathAnne Barnfield A Twist in the Tale (or is that Tail?): How I Apply Health Psychology to the Human-Animal BondAnna Chur-Hansen Scientist-Practitioner Psychologist: Integrating the Human-Animal Interaction into PracticeJennifer Coleman Dogs as Co-researchersColleen Dell From an Animal Shelter Towards a Professorship in Anthrozoology: An Unusual Career PathMarie-Jose Enders-Slegers There is a Shelter Dog in My College ClassroomShlomit Flaisher-Grinberg Human-Animal Interaction in Clinical Psychology: Teaching, Research, and PracticeAngela K. Fournier The Entangled Path: Human Animal Interaction and Social Work Cassandra Hanrahan Solidarity and Scholarship: Thriving as a HAI AcademicRachel Caroline Hogg From Psychometrics to Animal MetricsJean Kirnan Rescuing Street Dogs as a Passion and a Way of BeingÚrsula Aragunde Kohl Working in the World of Human-Animal Interaction Research Beth Lanning Lessons from a Pioneer in Equine Assisted TherapiesArieahn Matamonasa Bennett Studying Dolphins in the Bahamas: Who Says Academic Careers are Dry?Maria Maust-Mohl Academic Pathways Towards HAI Patricia Pendry Civic Engagement of Students through Human-Animal InteractionsAlina Simona Rusu An HAI Love Story: A Couple Collaborates as Teachers and Researchers Exploring Our Connection to AnimalsDieter and Netzin Steklis An Academic Career Based on What I love: People, Animals, and HealthCindy C. WilsonPart 2: Academic – With Clinical Work Insights from a Late Bloomer in the field of Human-Animal InteractionsJohn-Tyler Binfet Labracadabra! The Magic of Animal-Assisted Social WorkYvonne Eaton-Stull Human-Animal Bond in Colorado (HABIC) at Colorado State UniversityHelen Holmquist-Johnson Mutual Rescue: From Multiple Sclerosis to Working with Therapy Dogs in EducationDiana Pena Gil Getting in the H.A.B.I.T: Bringing Animal Assisted Interventions to Victims of Crime Bethanie A. Poe A Social Workers Experience at a Veterinary School and Teaching HospitalEric Richman Supporting Students and Companion Animals in University and Community SettingsClarissa Uttley "Yes, I work with animals…No, I’m not a vet": Animal-Assisted Intervention and the Indian ExperienceGeorgitta ValiyamattamPart 3: For Profit, Not for Profit and Government Making a Difference as an Animal-Assisted Interactions Program Coordinator?Tanya K. Bailey Changing Lives, One Service Dog at a TimeSarah Birman Canine- Assisted Family Treatment Court CoordinatorMegan Bridges Nurse-Led Canine-Assisted Intervention PracticeCindy Brosig Promoting Animal Welfare in a Context of International Development: A Career in the Non-Governmental SectorAshleigh F. Brown Advancing Standards and Professionalization in the Field of AAITaylor Chastain A Day in the Life of an Executive Director at an Animal Protection Think TankIvy Collier Occupational Therapy: Using Meaningful Occupations to Enhance Function Throughout the LifespanEmily DeBreto The Clinical Direction of DogsMatthew Decker Animal Instincts: Following an Unmarked Path from Volunteerism to a Career in Human Animal Interaction Marivic R. Dizon A Look into Animal Assisted Interventions Abroad: Entrecanes Association in Northern SpainCarolina Duarte-Gan Program Design, Implementation, and Management: Human-Animal InteractionsCarrie Nydick Finch Experiences in Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI): Practice, Research and TeachingPatricia Flaherty Fischette Human-Animal Interaction on the New York City Subway (Long Before Pizza Rat)Maya Gupta A Fair Shake For Youth: Helping Middle School Kids Connect with Dogs—While Discovering their Own Best SelvesAudrey Hendler Kids and Dogs. Sounds Easy, Right?Indy Hlava Working with A Facility Dog in a Veterans Affairs HospitalElizabeth Holman An Industry Veterinarian’s Perspective on a Career in Human-Animal InteractionKaryl Hurley Pick your Own Adventure, Finding a Career in the Non-Profit WorldEmily Patterson-Kane Organized Animal Protection as a Career: Meaning, Mission and the Academic ContributorBernard UntiPart 4: Private Practice, AAI Program Symbiotic Relationship Between Therapist and Co-Therapist: The Story of EmmieDonna Clarke A Professional Transformational Journey in the Practice of Animal Assisted InterventionsMolly DePrekel A Legal Career with Animals Akisha Townsend Eaton Conducting Canine-Assisted PsychotherapyBetz King Scientist-Practitioner Approach: Harnessing the Power of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Animal-Assisted Interventions in Private PracticeElizabeth A. Letson Applying Theoretical Frameworks and Organizational Structures to Help Develop the Field of Animal-Assisted Interventions: The Questions We Must Ask and the Answers We Must SeekKatarina Felicia Lundgren For the Love of HorsesFay McCormack Please Bear with Me: Working with My Canine Co-TherapistJanus Moncur Counselling with a Therapy- AnimalPatricia Nitkin Forget Me Not Farm: A Haven for Children and Animals to Bond and Break the Cycle of AbuseCarol M Rathmann Integrating Human-Animal Interactions and Psychology: Research & ServiceYahaira Segarra The Art and Science of Equine Facilitated PsychotherapyMarilyn Sokolof Animal Assisted Play TherapyRisë VanFleet Create your Herd: Developing a Career through Lived Experiences Aviva Vincent Canines, Equines, and Social WorkHeather White

This book provides a valuable and informative insight into the wide range of career avenues for those wishing to pursue their dream of working within the human-animal interaction field. The personal element of this book is particularly engaging and inspiring as we hear from those who pursued their passion for animals across different fields spanning from academia, to clinical practice, to working within animal charities, government, and non-profits. This book is a compilation of individual stories, each told in a light-hearted and sometimes humorous tone, yet are brutally honest about the main challenges they have faced throughout their chosen path, providing readers with a well-rounded and balanced view of a range of career trajectories. This book is therefore a valuable tool for both those trying to navigate career options in what can be quite a diverse and nonlinear field, as well as to educational professionals who wish to better advise their students with their graduate plans. -- Dr Roxanne Hawkins, Lecturer in Psychology (Module co-ordinator of the Psychology of Human-Animal Interactions) at the University of the West of Scotland, UK.