Bridging the gap between science and practice: Helping you design safe, ethical, and evidence-based animal support initiatives
Trusted by leading organisations across Australia
National Disability Insurance Agency |
Victorian Government |
Department of Veterans' Affairs |
Bravehearts |
Centre Against Violence |
Are you a corporate leader or manager?
Enhance inclusion and protect your business from compliance risks. Train your frontline staff on assistance animal access regulations.
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Explore Corporate Services
Are you a government policymaker?
Build robust, values-led, evidence-based policy frameworks and program evaluations backed by data.
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Are you a clinician or educator?
Design safe, highly effective, and ethically sound animal-assisted therapy or educational programs.
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Explore Clinical and Educational Services
Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, La Trobe University
PhD, Monash University
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15+ years of research experience
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Ranked 3rd worldwide for research on human-animal bonds and their health benefits (per SciVal)
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Over 100 peer-reviewed publications
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Policy recommendations for state and federal governments
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20+ commissioned reports for governments, industry, and NFPs
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Successful collaborations with partners on 6 continents
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$3 million in funded projects, delivered on-time and within budget
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Coordinated CPD courses on animal-assisted services
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Mentor to junior researchers
I transitioned from academic research to consulting because I saw a gap between what the science says and how animals and humans are actually being supported in the real world. My background as a researcher isn't just about data. It's the tool I use to ensure your programs are safe, ethical, and built to last.
What are animal-assisted services?​
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​Animals working to support human health and independence are increasing. Some of the most common roles are:
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Assistance animals who help people with a disability to live, work, and play within their community
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Therapy animals who work with clinicians to improve outcomes for clients in a therapeutic program
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School support animals who operate in schools or educational programs to enhance student learning.
These animals can have profound benefits for the people they support. And when a program works well, everyone involved can benefit, including the animals themselves. However, there are challenges associated with these animals, too. Assistance animals are often denied access to public spaces that they are legally entitled to enter. Therapy and school support animals inherently introduce an element of risk into work with vulnerable clients or students. Fortunately, careful management can help mitigate these risks, to maximise the benefits to humans and animals alike.
With more than 15 years of experience in research, I have the expertise to help manage some of the difficulties that can arise when we engage animals to support human health and independence.
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I provide evidence-informed advice and training on the following:
​​Enhance inclusion and protect your business from public access compliance risks. I provide tailored staff training that clarifies legal obligations, balances food hygiene regulations with anti-discrimination laws, and prevents costly customer service escalations, enabling you to make your business welcoming to all.
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Why me? I have researched the frequencies and contexts of access denials in Australia, developing a deep understanding of the common flash points, causes of confusion, and the impacts on handlers and businesses when legal access obligations are not met. I know why your staff may be confused, and I can help clarify things for them.
Policy & Government Advisory: Assistance Animal Public Access and Funding
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I help develop policies and educational materials to reduce public access denials for assistance animals, and to better determine whether someone may be eligible to receive funding support for an assistance animal. I rely on scientific evidence but with a foundation in values: lived experience is important.
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Why me? I have worked with the National Disability Insurance Agency on three projects related to assistance animals: overall effectiveness as a disability support, owner-trained assistance animals, and recommended definitions for animals working in support roles. Based on these reports, the NDIS provides funding for assistance animals, on a case-by-case basis. I have also provided expert advice in several Administrative Appeals/Review Tribunal cases related to assistance dog funding denials.
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I worked with the Department of Veterans' Affairs on a 4-year trial in which 20 veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder were provided an assistance dog. Based on the positive impacts of the dogs, the DVA now provides funding support to eligible veterans who need a psychiatric assistance dog.
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Finally, I was involved in research to determine the frequency and contexts of access denials in Australia, and the impact on the handlers. I have also published extensively on various aspects of assistance animal handler experiences.
I provide advice on safely, ethically, and effectively implementing an animal-assisted school program, helping you maximise the benefits to students, educators, the animals themselves, and the wider school community.
I can help you develop policies and risk assessment plans, or review existing ones, in line with the best available evidence.
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Why me? I worked with the Victorian Government, providing recommended guidelines for animal-assisted programs in Victorian state schools, based on a content analysis of 17 existing guidelines from around the world. I also coordinated a short course on animal-assisted education, run at La Trobe University, and introductory content for the Victorian Government.
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I help clinicians and facilities decide whether, and how, to establish a goal-directed, values-led animal-assisted therapeutic program based on available scientific evidence, including risk mitigation and program evaluation protocols. ​​
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Also, if you have a client with an assistance animal, I can help you learn to work with the client and animal for therapeutic benefits that extend beyond the therapy session.
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Why me? I have been involved in research studies about animal-assisted therapy for the following groups:
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child survivors of complex trauma
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veterans and families
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children in speech therapy
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children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
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adults with intellectual disabilities
I coordinated a short course on animal-assisted therapy for healthcare professionals at La Trobe University.
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I have collaborated with the following groups to research the impacts of therapeutic interactions with animals: Bravehearts, Centre Against Violence, The Speech Express, and Open Arms
Research
I am available to undertake research projects around any of these topics
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Why me? I have published over 110 peer-reviewed, scientific journal articles on all aspects of human-animal relationships. I have experience in qualitative, quantitative, observational, and electrophysiological research methods.
Latest news
Monday, 2 Feb 2026
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I spoke to ABC Radio National about human-animal relationships and life at the dog park.
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Tuesday, 16 December 2025​​
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New article about dog-assisted speech therapy for children, published open access.
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