Sociology professor, animal therapy clinician has research published
Dr. Angie Moe is a professor of sociology at Western Michigan University with specializations in interpersonal victimization and trauma informed survivorship. Dr. Moe is also the director of the Therapy Dog Clinic, part of the Unified Clinics at WMU.
Historically, Dr. Moe worked with her three therapy dogs, Sunny, Oreo and Poppy during child trauma assessments at the clinics. She has since expanded her services to enhance patient experiences in several other clinics at WMU including the Resiliency Center for Assessment and Treatment.
Dr. Moe will soon be published in People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice, the journal of the International Association of Human Animal Interaction Organizations. Her study is titled “’There's a connection that is just beyond words’: A Qualitative Study of Therapy Dogs in a Child Trauma Assessment Center."
Abstract: The utilization of animal assisted interventions with trauma survivors is a growing field of practice and research. This study explored staff perceptions of the impact of therapy dogs in comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessments of children who have experienced significant maltreatment. Such victimization causes devastating and long-term consequences across physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral domains. Trauma assessments have been used as a means of understanding the impacts of maltreatment and guide treatment. Following a go-along qualitative approach, the study occurred over 16 months wherein experienced therapy dogs were incorporated into assessments of 323 children. Data were collected through field interviews and participant observation. Inductive analysis generated four primary themes: rapport, regulation, respite and restoration. Rapport involved establishing camaraderie with children at the start of the assessments, helping provide a sense of safety within the clinical environment. Regulation occurred throughout the various components of the assessment, wherein the dogs provided emotional, cognitive, and physical comfort throughout testing. Respite outside of testing was provided via rest and play. Finally, the dogs helped restore emotional and physical balance for children at the end of assessments, aiding their transition back to daily activities. Overall, the therapy dogs contributed to the ease, efficiency and quality of the trauma assessments.
About Dr. Moe: Dr. Moe has thousands of hours of therapy and crisis response handling experience. She is an evaluator for the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, as well as state coordinator for HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response. Dr. Moe is a certified animal-assisted interventions specialist through Oakland University's Center for Human Animal Interventions, and a student of the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training.