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Seminar is Monday Sept. 30^th in Fairgrounds meeting room. Dr. Claire Wiseman will speak on Therapy Dogs-History, Science, and Impact

Dr. Claire “Vicky” Wiseman grew up with dogs, basset hounds and black labs. Wiseman earned her BA in psychology and economics from Cornell University in 1987. She has a PhD from American University in Washington DC and has held a variety of academic positions, including Cornell Medical School, Trinity College, and Yale Medical School.

Her research, aimed at determining causes and treatments of eating disorders, has been highly influential. Wiseman is an expert in anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. In 2007 she realized the impact that animals had on her own life and began incorporating dogs “Phoebe” into her practice. Since then she has trained 3 (soon 4) therapy labs , and they are certified with Pet Partners. Additionally in 2011-2020 she created and served as the Executive Director of Red Skye Foundation which provided animal assisted therapy with equines and canines to those in need.She became EAGALA certified in 2007 which allowed her to be part of an international organization with strict certification criteria insuring consistent treatment. They also provide resources for the practitioner which are a critical part of insuring excellence in delivery of treatment.

Presently, she works as a clinical psychologist part-time at St Georges School with her two Labrador Retriever therapy dogs. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Brown University and at Roger Williams University where she taught a course on animal assisted therapy.. She is a proud member of the USCG Auxiliary in Chatham, MA and serves as the Public Education Officer. She is trying to incorporate therapy dogs into the USCG rescues.

Please join us for an educational event where Claire takes us through

Therapy Dogs: History, Science, and Impact