THE TDA TEAM

Founder & Director

Therapy Dogs Australia Head Trainer & Content Development

Psychologist (AHPRA)

PAAW Clinic Director (animal assisted therapy clinic)

Certified Dog Trainer (Cert 3 Dog Training & Behaviour)

Psychology Board approved supervisor (STAP Accredited)

Research Advisor 

EAGALA trained

Sam is a Psychologist and clinic director at Psychology & Animal Assisted Wellbeing (www.paaw.com.au), a clinic where therapists work with a therapy dog providing animal-assisted interventions. Sam works with her dogs (Sonny, Oliver & Nala) to provide  Animal Assisted Therapy for children, adolescents & adults (primarily Neurodivergent populations).   

Sam has experience working with therapy dogs across various settings, including schools, community mental health and private practice since 2013.   Samantha has spoken as several conferences on AAT topics, including the 50th Australian Psychological Conference in October 2015 and the Australia & New Zealand Psychiatrists Conference in Hobart in 2016. Samantha is also EAGALA trained (2018) and provides Equine Assisted Psychotherapy with her herd of 7 horses including five brumbies. 

Sam is a qualified dog trainer (Certificate III in Dog Training & Behaviour - NDTF). 

Sam is also experienced in offering Psychology in a farm-based setting, alongside her range of animals on her hobby farm (goats, chickens, cat & horses). Sam has a keen interest in the advocacy of Brumbies and their incorporation in to animal assisted services. Learn more about Sam's equine therapy and brumby training adventures at Wild at Heart Horses (www.wildathearthorses.com.au & www.thebrumbyproject.com

Psychologist (AHPRA) / Teacher (QLD College of Teachers)

Therapy Dogs Australia course facilitator and content development 

Psychology Board approved supervisor (STAP accredited)

PhD Candidate with Monash University – researching effective implementation of therapy dog programs in schools. 

Cert IV Animal Behaviour & Training

Animal Therapies Ltd QLD State Committee

Amy is an experienced Psychologist with a broad range of professional experience across a variety of complex clinical settings, including a high security correctional facility, Queensland Government disability services, an Australian off-shore asylum seeker processing centre, a private practice clinic and school environments. 

Broadening her studies to postgraduate teaching, Amy has attained further skills to support her work within schools which aligns with her special interest in working with adolescents and children.  In an effort to diversify her support services and with prior experience working as a veterinary nurse and wildlife carer, Amy recognised an opportunity to introduce therapy dogs to the school context and subsequently trained in Animal Assisted Therapy with her canine-assistants, Wilbur (Spoodle) and Lucy (Cavoodle). She provides individual, group and whole-school opportunities for engagement with her dogs and her Therapy Dog Program has been attributed to improving student attendance, counselling engagement and improved learning outcomes. 

As the Director and Lead Consultant with Therapy Dogs in Education, Amy has been responsible for successfully implementing Therapy Dog Programs within schools and providing specialist consultancy and support to schools Australia-wide. 

Amy is currently completing a PhD with Monash University to support the implementation of therapy dog programs within schools, with a particular focus on ensuring educational institutions plan to optimise student safety, program efficacy and animal welfare.

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 Therapy Dogs Australia Administration Manager

Psychology & Animal Assisted Wellbeing Administration Manager

Dog & Cat Lover

Legendary All-Rounder

Emily is the one who is working hard behind the scenes to process all of our course applications, enrolments & payments. She updates our systems and procedures so that we are always offering a professional and timely service to our students. Emily handles the bulk of our enquiries and most importantly of all - keeps Sam organised and on task! 

Emily is a lifelong dog and cat lover, she has incredible passion for this industry which we see in her dedication to her role with Therapy Dogs Australia. 

Bonus info - Emily also manages the admin for Sam's Psychology practice, Psychology & Animal Assisted Wellbeing. This means that she has great insights in to how an animal assisted therapy group practice runs - and the benefits and challenges we face. 

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Therapy Dogs Australia Social Media Manager

Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast Co-Host

Sam's Creative Development Muse

Dog Nerd

You will recognize Maxine from the Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast, which she co-hosts and plans - without Max we would not have a podcast! 

Max also manages our Facebook and Instagram accounts - that's her with all the dog knowledge and cute pics! 

Max has a flair for all things media and has been a huge part of the development of our company, she is the first go-to for sounding out all of Sam's wild ideas, and she really helps to make things actually happen!

Everyone needs a Max!!
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