Dogs in Public – Who’s Who and
What’s What
Do you know the difference between a service animal, an emotional support animal, a therapy dog, and a pet? Denise Dumesnil and Shana Aldahl stop by to talk with Marcie and Lovey about their awesome project that answered these questions for domestic violence shelters and resulted in the “Model Guideline Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals in Domestic Violence Programs and Shelters” They provide valuable information for anyone who deals with the public and may encounter an individual with a dog or other type of animal. They define what you can and cannot ask a person, which types of dogs or animals have public access rights and which types of dogs or animals do not, and much more. It’s everything you’ve always wanted to know but weren’t sure who to ask! And, they tell you about how you can access a free copy of the Model Guideline and the accompanying video!
BIO:
Denise Dumesnil is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Taos, NM, where she works with several nonprofit organizations to provide Canine-Assisted Therapy to their clientele, with ADW's serviced dogs-in-training. She obtained Clark, a facility service dog, from Assistance Dogs of the West in June 2012 to be her co-therapist – the best decision she has ever made! After experiencing the immeasurable benefits Clark brings to her work, she has worked with Assistance Dogs of the West to bring therapeutic Student Trainer and Warrior Canine Connection programs to rural Taos. ADW in Taos now provides weekly therapeutic groups to children and families at the local domestic violence shelter; military veterans; teens with disabilities as an AmeriCorps community service program; at-risk youth at an alternative middle school; and homeless youth at the local youth crisis shelter, and more.
Shana Aldahl is a Licensed Social Worker in New Mexico and the Special Projects Coordinator for the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Shana manages various projects aimed at increasing accessibility and building capacity within domestic violence programs statewide, including the Companion Animal Rescue Effort (CARE), the Children’s Capacity Building Project, and the quality of life initiative. Shana has worked in the field of domestic violence for nearly ten years in various capacities to include managing a domestic violence shelter, providing crisis intervention services to survivors of domestic violence, and facilitating trainings to a variety of professionals. Shana is dedicated to empowering Survivors by working towards eliminating systematic barriers and expanding domestic violence services within the state. She believes that all living creatures have the right to a life free from violence and abuse.