Conversations on Social Work Careers: Animal Assisted Therapy, Pet Partners, and Therapy Dogs With Janet Finch and Allie

     August is National Dog Month! In this August 2022 Conversations on Social Work Careers video, Jennifer Luna interviews Janet Finch and her therapy dog Allie. In this inviting conversation, they talk about animal assisted therapy, Pet Partners, and therapy dogs.

     Janet (Jan) Finch, LCSW, PhD, has been in the social services profession for the past 50 years. She is retired from the University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work as Associate Professor in Practice and is currently an adjunct professor. Prior to her work at the university, she had been a social work clinician, administrator, and supervisor in nonprofit agencies, focusing her work on disabilities and trauma informed practice with children and adults. She currently has a private practice, assisted by her certified therapy dog Allie.

     Dr. Finch has been a Licensed Clinical Social Work Supervisor for the past 20 years and actively supervises LMSWs for the private practice credential (LCSW). Dr. Finch provides community leadership and support in mental health and is a public speaker on trauma, mental health, and ethics. She is a Stephen Minister and Stephen Leader. She does many hours of volunteer work with her hardworking therapy dog Allie. Dr. Finch has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for Social Workers in 2022.  

Resources:

Dr. Jan Finch: Finch@uta.edu

Pet Partners: https://petpartners.org