The National Dog Show Therapy Dog Symposium at Rowan University is one of America’s most prominent gatherings devoted to therapy dogs. The day-long conference brings together therapy dog handlers, health care experts & clinicians, academics, those who want to get involved and people who simply love dogs, to share information, cutting edge research, insights from practical applications and best practices. The conference is hosted by Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ, just 30 minutes from downtown Philadelphia. The school is home to the ground-breaking Shreiber Family Pet Therapy Program where students have access to therapy dogs year-round. The 2024 conference will be held on Friday, December 13th from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30p.m. (EST). In-person attendance includes lunch and provides additional networking opportunities, and virtual option will also be offered. This is a human-only event (we love your furry ones, but please leave them at home unless they are an actively working medically necessary service dog... sorry no emotional support animals, therapy dogs, pets or other animals allowed). There may be a couple of the Shreiber Family Pet Therapy Program Therapy dogs working at the event during lunch or breaks. The symposium is hosted by Michele Pich & David Frei, who also chair the the planning committee. David is the expert analyst on NBC’s National Dog Show, broadcast every year on Thanksgiving, and one of the best known names in the canine world. He is also a prolific writer and founder of Angel on a Leash therapy dog program, who currently volunteers with his therapy dog, True, a sweet Cavalier. Michele Pich is the Founding Assistant Director (Department Head) of Shreiber Family Pet Therapy Program and former faculty in Law and Justice Studies at Rowan University. Michele has worked in animal-assisted therapy (and other animal-assisted interventions) for many years, including with her certified therapy dog, Vivian Peyton, CGC, and her newest certified therapy dog, Ralphie, CGC, who visits as part of the Shreiber Family Pet Therapy Program at Rowan University and joined his sister on the Therapy Dog Ambassador team for the National Dog Show! Hosted by the Shreiber Family Pet Therapy Program at Rowan University in conjunction with The National Dog Show. Co-sponsored by Purina, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Gerald B. Shreiber Pet Therapy Program, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, Angel on a Leash, Hamilton Law & Mediation, Rowan University Wellness Center, Rowan University Social Work Program, Rowan University Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine , Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals, National Association of Social Workers.

Sponsor:Shreiber Family Pet Therapy Program at Rowan University
Speaker(s):Aubrey Fine, EdD; Gina Fischer Caldwell, PhD; C. Annie Peters; Taylor Chastain Griffin, PhD; Bradfor

Contact: Michele Pich
 Email: PetTherapy@rowan.edu
 Phone: 856-256-7380
 Web: http://go.rowan.edu/TherapyDogSymposium