About Tiffani
​Evidence-first animal-assisted services consulting:
Specialised domain expertise plus rigorous research for measurable outcomes
I am a consultant with expertise in animal-assisted services, including assistance dogs, animal-assisted therapies, and school support animals. After completing my PhD in 2013, I worked as a researcher investigating human-animal interactions. I have studied the ways that assistance animals support people with a disability, and the impacts of therapy and school support animals for vulnerable populations, such as people with Autism Spectrum Disorder or intellectual disability. I have obtained over $2.5 million for research projects, delivered on time and within budget. I also coordinated short courses about animal-assisted therapy for healthcare professionals and animal-assisted school programs.
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With over 15 years of experience researching human-animal interactions, I now apply my knowledge outside of academia, supporting stakeholders to make decisions about animal-assisted services using scientific evidence. ​
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I am available for media inquiries. Contact me here.
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.
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 topics:
Assistance animals
I support government departments to 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.
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I work with companies, providing staff training to ensure that they are aware of their obligations to allow assistance animals onto their premises, and how to manage potentially conflicting advice (e.g., food hygiene rules).
I help clinicians who have a client with an assistance animal, to work with the client and animal for therapeutic benefits that extend beyond the therapy session. ​
Animal-assisted therapeutic services
I work with clinicians to understand the evidence base, including potential benefits and pitfalls, for those hoping to establish an animal-assisted therapeutic program
School/educational support animals
I provide advice to individual schools and school systems for integrating a support animal into their school(s).
Research
I am available to undertake research projects around any of these topics
Supporters
I thank the following people and organisations for their valuable support
