Podcast With Jen Von Lintel
In this podcast, Jen VonLintel, a seasoned school counsellor and animal-assisted intervention specialist from Colorado, USA, shares her extensive experience in developing high-quality school dog programmes. Jen’s journey began in 2009 with a research study by the Human-Animal Bond in Colorado (HABIC), leading her to establish an animal-assisted intervention (AAI) programme at her school with her golden retriever, Copper. Today, Jen plays a crucial role in mentoring professionals, screening therapy dog teams, and facilitating therapy dog training for her district.
Jen’s expertise includes trauma-informed canine interventions, recognized by her 2018 Magic Award from Pet Partners, and her leadership extends to managing a 6,000-member community of educators on the School Therapy Dogs Facebook group. She has contributed to key resources, including co-authoring Pathways for Implementing a School Therapy Dog Program, and regularly presents at national conferences. Driven by her dedication to ethical and impactful AAI, Jen’s ongoing work with organisations like HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response and the Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals exemplifies her commitment to advancing the field.