New seminar by Professor Professor Aubrey Fine on Animal-Assisted Interventions at the Crossroads. All welcome! 3-4pm, Co-op Lecture Theatre, Minerva Building. Refreshments from 2.45pm
Professor Aubrey Fine, Education professor at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, and practitioner in Claremont, California is currently this side of the Atlantic on sabbatical. Professor Fine is a distinguished professor as well as a licensed psychologist and world-wide renowned pioneer in the study of human-animal interactions and their application in psychological practice. Professor Fine’s visit to the UK is sponsored by WALTHAM, Mars Petcare’s fundamental science research centre. Whilst in the UK he will be on sabbatical working on a new human-animal interaction book with Dr Nancy Gee (human-animal interaction research programme manager at WALTHAM).
Abstract:
Over the decades, numerous interventions have developed employing a strong belief that relationships with animals contribute to the psychological and physical well being of people. Although plagued with poor research and limited scientific evidence, animal-assisted interventions have grown and have commanded a strong following from various interdisciplinary fields. We are now entering a new crossroad in an era of public policy and scientific curiosity where there is greater interest to define the underlying mechanisms of animal-assisted interventions. Our goal in this session is to highlight the evolution of the field and pose questions on possibly where the future will take us.
Professor Aubrey Fine’s bio:
Dr. Fine received his graduate degree from University of Cincinnati in 1982 and has been on the faculty at California State Polytechnic University since 1981. His leadership among faculty and teaching excellence earned him the prestigious Wang Award in 2001, given to a distinguished professor within the California State University system (23 Universities), in this instance for exceptional commitment, dedication, and exemplary contributions within the areas of education and applied sciences. Dr. Fine is also a licensed psychologist who opened his practice in Southern California in 1987. His practice specializes in treating children with ADHD, learning disabilities, developmental disorders and parent child relations. Dr. Fine is the author of several books including the Therapist’s Guide to Learning and Attention Disorders, Fathers and Sons, The Total Sports Experience for Children, The Handbook on Animal Assisted Therapy and Afternoons with Puppy, Our Faithful Companion, and The Handbook on Animal Assisted Therapy which is now in production for the fourth edition (Elsevier/Academic Press, 2015). He also has had a featured monthly column in Dog Fancy Magazine on the human animal bond entitled the Loving Bond. He has been a guest on numerous national TV and Radio Shows including on programs on ABC, Animal Planet, Discovery Network, KTLA, and CNN.
