SoulPaws Training Program
The SoulPaws Training Program is an innovative educational framework designed to help clinicians grow in their understanding of animal-assisted interventions through a trauma-aware lens. It explores how animals can serve as co-regulators of emotion and partner with individuals in their healing journey from regulatory disorders (eating disorders, substance use disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders and more).
SoulPaws is not a specific therapeutic intervention, but a series of educational resources adapted from the pioneering work of Dr. Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model and Dr. Patricia Flaherty-Fischette’s research on animal-assisted interventions and eating disorders.
Unleash the benefits!
SoulPaws-Trained Professional Status & Icon
Stand out in your field! Upon completion of the training, you will receive SoulPaws-Trained Professional icon for your website and social channels.
Directory Listing
Gain visibility with a featured listing in our SoulPaws Trained Professional in our Directory. Your name and website will be hyperlinked, making it easy for potential clients and collaborators to connect with you and your practice!
Access to the SoulPaws 3-Pillar Library
Unlock exclusive annual access to our ever-expanding SoulPaws 3-Pillar Library—a treasure trove of essential resources. Dive into a rich collection of scripts, formats, waivers, animal-inspired meditations, conversation starters, and more
Contribute to the SoulPaws Library
Founding Members from our first SoulPaws Training cohort can contribute to the growth of the program. You’ll have the opportunity to submit your own animal-inspired meditations and content, helping to grow our library and share your unique insights with fellow professionals in the SoulPaws community.
SoulPack Sessions
Join a community of clinicians who celebrate and support the therapeutic benefits of the human-animal connection! You'll receive exclusive invitations to quarterly SoulPaws Pack Meetings, held virtually from Frosted Face Foundation.These sessions not only provide a unique blend of education, self-care, and inspiration, but they also allow you to connect with extraordinary animals who have triumphed over adversity. Their incredible journeys serve as powerful reminders that, like them, we too have the strength to persevere and keep moving forward.
Take the extra pawprint!
With two options to choose from, you can enroll in just the professional training program or decide to go one step farther by enrolling in the training and then facilitating Healing Circles in your community!
SoulPaws Trained Professionals who choose to facilitate free Healing Circles in their community receive dedicated support and logistical assistance from a SoulPaws program manager at no cost!
This includes support with:
-
Starting your Healing Circle
-
Promoting your Healing Circle
-
Strategies for effective integration into your practice
-
Additional recognition opportunities from SoulPaws
Common Healing Circle focus areas include:
-
Food and Body Image Concerns
-
Substance Use Disorders
-
Mental Health
Receive interactive training!
Our next training cohort begins October 2025!
This dynamic three-part training (~6 hours in total) is led by experienced clinicians, researchers, and individuals with lived experience in healing from regulatory disorde.
Together, we'll explore the transformative potential of animal-assisted interventions and topics such as:
-
Application of Dr. Bruce Perry's Neurosequential Model
-
Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) & Regulatory Disorders
-
Ethical Considerations in AAI
-
The 3 Pillars of SoulPaws: Calm, Connect, Heal
Training includes self-paced learning modules, live interactive training, and a special 2-hour live Zoom session led by Dr. Patricia Flaherty-Fischette, PhD, LCSW, and SoulPaws Founder Shannon Kopp, MFA.
