I’ve had dogs as members of my family for over 20 years, and I believe we’ve shared a reciprocal relationship of love, good health, and joy. I’ve taken time to learn training techniques not so I can control them, but so that they are safe, and happy engaging in cognitive tasks that enable them to relate to their humans better. As a mental health counselor interested in Animal Assisted Therapy, I’ve studied the nature of dogs, and how they experience the world from their perspectives. I completed a 9 month graduate level certification program through the University of Denver, Animals and Human Health, which gave me comprehensive insights and knowledge into the components of a good and effective working relationship built on trust, safety, and meeting of needs. Learning to keep the well being of the dog front and center, while facilitating therapeutic interventions, was a critical part of our training. I always loved dogs, but now I can really show them how much I love them because I understand and respect them so much more now.