Master’s of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Tarleton State University, 2021

Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from Tarleton State University, 2018

Within my master’s program, I worked in private practice, educational, not-for-profit, and agency settings where I helped clients navigate a range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, trauma, sexuality, spirituality/religion, and more.

Once I graduated and received my associate license, I continued my work in private practice and educational settings as well as pursued experience in a treatment center for at-risk youth. I learned there are many ways our bodies, personalities, and psyches learn to adjust to navigate this world, and I want to help people find ways to adapt that honors their needs and promotes peace and wellbeing in this life.

I started to pursue Animal Assisted Therapy at a local hospital in Waco, TX in 2014 with my childhood dog, Halyn. Halyn and I eventually branched out to some local nursing homes, colleges, and churches. When I began my Master’s in Mental Health Counseling in 2018, I knew I wanted to pursue Animal Assisted Therapy. It was time for Halyn to retire, but I fortunately found Maslow.

I adopted Maslow at 2 months old and went to work on his training. By the time he was 5 months old, he was already accompanying me to my volunteer work at a local youth theater. I continued his training through frequent Lowe’s, Home Depot, Petsmart, and Petco trips where we worked together on skills such as how to approach people gently and calmly, staying at my side, sitting and laying for small children to interact with him, as well as how to be a team. I learned to listen to him just as much as I expect him to listen to me.

At a year old, Maslow and I passed the obedience test, and we began volunteering at the hospital. At the same time, with the grace of my ever-supportive professors, Maslow began accompanying me to my master’s classes to continue his training and experience doing volunteer work. By the time I started master’s counseling internship, Maslow was ready to join me in the therapy room. We worked together throughout my internship and post-graduation counseling experience. We worked as an animal assisted therapy team in schools, private practice, and institutional settings from 2020 - 2023 when we moved to North Carolina and I took a break from my work as a counselor.

I attended various camps and internships at major zoos and aquariums over the course of 5 summers in which I gained intensive knowledge on animal care and training.

I have worked at doggy daycare centers and pet-sitting agencies where I was required to take animal behavior, training, and first-aid courses.

I began volunteering with Baylor Scott and White’s PUP Therapy program (an animal assisted therapy program) in 2014 with my first therapy dog, Halyn, and continued with Maslow into the fall of 2022.

My associate, bachelor, and master-level courses included further curriculum on behavioral-based techniques used in training and shaping desired behavioral responses.

I have pursued courses and continuing education on Animal Assisted Therapy through the University of North Texas and the Texas Counseling Association Convention.