Professional Applications of Animal Assisted Interventions: Dogwood Doga (Second Edition)
Melissa Y. Winkle is an occupational therapist in private practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She offers continuing education opportunities for visiting volunteers, animal assisted therapy and education, and assistance dogs as assistive technology options. She is the president of Animal Assisted Intervention International, a European based non-profit organization which caters to professionals who include animals in practice. Melissa is the program coordinator for New Mexico Animal Humane Association’s Warm Hearts Network, which trains and evaluates volunteers, human professionals, and dogs who provide visitations as well as therapeutic and educational activities throughout the community. In addition, she is an assistance dog trainer/instructor for Assistance Dogs of the West and a member of Assistance Dogs International. Melissa offers international workshops, publications and consulting for animal assisted therapy, assistance dogs as assistive technology options, and program development.