The Healing Power of Therapy Animals

On this episode of Newly Erupted, host Dr Joel Berg is joined by Ellie Wetzel to discuss the integration of therapy animals into dental practices, highlighting the legal considerations and benefits of establishing in-office therapy animal programs. Wetzel emphasizes the importance of choosing the right animal, understanding the differences between service and emotional support animals, and the role of the Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals in supporting professionals interested in bringing this service into their practices.

Guest Bio:

Ellie Wetzel and her dog Winnie serve as a therapy animal team, visiting with clients ranging from families at a children’s hospital, teenagers at a juvenile detention center, children in foster care, and students at colleges. In her professional life, Wetzel is an attorney. Through her involvement as a

volunteer therapy animal handler with Pet Partners, she developed an interest in animal

accommodation law. She has led continuing education sessions for attorneys on legal issues related to service animals and emotional support animals, as well as presentations for professionals on incorporating therapy animals into their practice.

Wetzel serves on the board for the Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals (AAAIP), an organization that focuses on empowering professionals to responsibly integrate the healing power of therapy animals into their practice. She currently lives in Toronto with her husband, Kevin, their cat, Cooper, and Winnie, a Great Pyreness

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