Tilly’s Place Mission:
To empower healthcare and education professionals to partner with therapy animals using evidence-based practices to promote human and animal well-being
Tilly’s Place Services
Continuing Education Courses
Animal-Assisted Therapy and Education: An Introduction to Incorporating Therapy Animals into Practice
Getting Started in Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI); Professional Standards and Practice in Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) and Education (AAE)
Developing a Therapy Animal Program; Considerations for Safe and Effective Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) with Diverse Populations
Tilly’s Place is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Occupational Therapy as an approved provider of occupational therapy and occupational therapist assistant continuing education
Our Staff
LAURA POLESHUCK, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, Founder and Executive Director of Tilly’s Place
Certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist (C-AAIS), the Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals
Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge-Assessed (CPDT-KA)
Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program Team Evaluator
Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator, American Kennel Club (AKC)
Temperament Test (ATT) Evaluator, American Kennel Club (AKC)
The Board Members
JOHN RIGNEY, LCSW, Vice Chair
Assistant Director of Wellness Outreach and Education, Nazareth University
KIM FERRIS-CHURCH, MS Ed., CHES, Secretary
Humane Education Manager, Humane Society of Greater Rochester, Lollypop Farm
JENNIFER TRACHTMAN, DVM, Treasurer
Founder of Bayside Veterinary Care (Fear Free certified hospital and staff)
TAYLOR CHASTAIN GRIFFIN, PhD, Communications
Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals (AAAIP) Executive Director, National Director of Animal-Assisted Intervention (AAI) Advancement, Pet Partners
MELISSA REED, MS Ed, MT-BC, Honorary Member at Large
Clinical Associate Professor of Music Therapy
LAURA POLESHUCK, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, Chair
