Nazareth College Hosts Animal Assisted Therapy Speaker Series February 17, 2011

Nazareth College will host the Rochester Animal Assisted Therapy Initiative's (RAATI) speaker series topic “Animal Assisted Therapy with Children” on Thursday, February 17 from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. The workshop is designed for both professionals and volunteers who are interested in using animals therapeutically. This event is free and open to the public. The RATTI event consists of two speakers, Susan MacDougall and Stacy Brown Friedlander. The series will take place in the Nazareth College Arts Center, Room A14 located at 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, N.Y. 14618. For more information, contact Stephen Demanchick at (585) 389-2545 or sdemanc8@naz.edu.

Friedlander is the Director of Programming at the Equicenter, a therapeutic equestrian center that serves individuals with disabilities, at-risk youth, veterans, and their families. She is a nationally certified therapeutic riding instructor and a life long equestrian.

MacDougall has many years experience as a Delta Society Pet Partner, team evaluator, and team trainer. She has conducted animal assisted therapy in a variety of settings with children including the Rochester City School District, Camp Good Days and Special Times, and Crestwood Children's Center. She currently has four pet partners including three German Shepherds and a Guinea Pig named Trey.

RAATI is comprised of several area professionals who are dedicated to increasing animal assisted therapy practice, training, research, and outreach in the Rochester area.