Alison Levy (MSW '07) earned GSSW's Certificate in Animal-Assisted Social Work during her concentration year. Now she's using a mistreated and abandoned dog named Marley to treat abused foster children.
His story mirrors the kids' story," Levy says. "They are both looking for a good home where someone will love them."
During the 12-week program at the Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center, Levy has each of the children teach Marley a trick. By working with the dog, she says, they learn patience, tolerance, empathy and anger management. They also share a bond of love with the dog, she says, a bond that's missing for many of the children she sees.
Learning from Marley
Sometimes when the children are frustrated by their inability to teach Marley a trick, they will yell at the dog. Because Marley was abused as a pup, he recoils in fear. Levy turns their frustration and Marley's fear into a teaching experience by showing the children how feelings can be hurt by harsh words and anger.
Levy has had a lifelong affinity for dogs. The Certificate in Animal-Assisted Social Work, she says, fed off that affinity and gave her the skills to help others through her love of animals.
"This is my passion," she says.
