LAURA POLESHUCK, Founder and Executive Director of Tilly’s Place

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education
  Curriculum, Instruction, and the Science of Learning, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY

• Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
  Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University, MA

• Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT),
  Sargent College of Allied Health Professions, Boston University, Boston, MA

• Bachelor of Science, Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa
  Double major in Clinical Psychology and Child Studies, Tufts University, Medford, MA

Credentials

• 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)

Publications

• Poleshuck, L., Griffin, O., & Winiecki, C. (2024). Student perceptions of campus-integrated therapy dogs: Best practices and impact on well-being and campus belonging. People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 7(1). Link to article:
  https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/paij/vol7/iss1/21/

• Poleshuck, L. & Reed, M. (2023). The InterProfessional Animal-assisted Wellness (IPAW) Collaborative. In Kogan, L. (Ed.), Animal assisted interventions – Recognizing and mitigating potential welfare challenges (pp.145-154). CABI.

The Board Members

JOHN RIGNEY, Vice Chair

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

• Assistant Director of Wellness Outreach and Education, Nazareth University

KIM FERRIS-CHURCH, Secretary

• MS Ed., CHES

• Humane Education Manager, Humane Society of Greater Rochester, Lollypop Farm

JENNIFER TRACHTMAN, Treasurer

• Veterinarian (DVM)

• Founder of Bayside Veterinary Care (Fear Free certified hospital and staff)

TAYLOR CHASTAIN GRIFFIN, Communications

• PhD

• Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals (AAAIP) Executive Director, National Director of Animal-Assisted Intervention (AAI) Advancement, Pet Partners

MELISSA REED, Honorary Member at Large

• MS Ed, Music Therapist (MT-BC)

• Clinical Associate Professor of Music Therapy, co-founder of the InterProfessional Animal-assisted Wellness (IPAW) Collaborative, Nazareth University

LAURA POLESHUCK, Chair

• PhD, OTD, OTR/L

• Co-founder of the IPAW Collaborative, Nazareth University