Enseignante

In 2009, she successfully completed her diploma in animal-assisted therapy at the International School of Animal-Assisted Therapy. In 2010, she joined the Corporation of Animal-Assisted Therapists of Quebec, becoming an active member. She founded SPP services and began developing effective and diverse projects and interventions within her organization, aiming to contribute to the well-being of individuals with specific needs whom she is called to serve. Day after day, and for 15 years now, this animal-assisted therapy professional has rekindled and fueled her passion with creativity and motivation through her work with vulnerable populations. Driven by the deep conviction that every human has the potential to grow and flourish, she particularly cherishes the beneficial contributions that animal presence can provide to each individual. Guided by the desire to meet the needs of the unique individuals she encounters, the development of all kinds of projects and programs with animal presence as their cornerstone (personal growth, educational, or therapeutic) has taken on full meaning. Thus, her years of practice have led her to offer unique support services tailored to diverse clienteles.

Elaine is now a professional in her field, recognized for her expertise not only in Quebec but also internationally.

Here are some of her accomplishments over the years:

Field Experience

• Management/intervention with multidisciplinary teams in several specialized school establishments (Jean-Piaget School, Marie-Leneuf School, St-Jacques School, Avenues-Nouvelles School, Louiseville Primary School, Chutes School, Bâtisseurs School, Vincent-Lemire and Maurault Schools, Christ-Roi and Monseigneur-Prince Schools, Estacades Academy, Chavigny High School, Val-Mauricie School, and many others) (2009 to present)
• Management/intervention in a multitude of healthcare settings with clients experiencing loss of autonomy (Accommodation centers, long-term care facilities (CHSLD), and private specialized residences) (2009 to present)
• Creation/implementation of early motor development programs and programs for developing the bond between children and their dogs at Pavillon St-Arnaud (2014-2017)
• Creation/implementation of the animal-assisted intervention program at the Trois-Rivières Detention Center (2015-2017)
• Creation/implementation of the animal-assisted intervention program at the Trois-Rivières and Drummondville Youth Centers (2017-present)
• Creation/implementation of the animal-assisted reading program (Pointe-du-Lac School) (2019-present)
• Management/implementation of a provincial intergenerational program at Grand Chemin (Quebec City, Montreal, and St-Célestin) (2019-present)
• Zootherapy intervention for addiction prevention in schools, in therapy, and for social reintegration, supporting parents and fostering adolescent-parent communication at Grand Chemin (Quebec City, Montreal, and St-Célestin) (2020-present)

Teaching and Mentoring Experience

• Supervision of a master’s project in collaboration with the University of Nancy (France) on evaluating motivation levels for sports in the presence of animals (2014)
• Instructor at the International School of Animal-Assisted Therapy (avian component) (2015-2017)
• Speaker and trainer at the France-Quebec Symposium (Animal Mediation: Issues, Practice, and Tools, as seen by Quebec) (2015)
• Development of a pilot project using sensory techniques in conjunction with animal-assisted therapy for school-aged clients (2017-2018)
• Teaching/mentoring for a zootherapy autonomy project (staff training, facility setup, evaluation of animal partners, creation of adapted activities) with École secondaire des Chutes (2017-2019)
• Supervision of a master’s project in collaboration with the University of Paris (France) on evaluating stress in intervention dogs (2018)
• Instructor training: integrating scent detection and agility in a zootherapy context (2019)
• Teaching/mentoring for an adapted activities development project (staff training and creation of adapted activities) with CRDI de l’Estrie (2019)
• Instructor/advisor/mentor in training for professionals in the field (comprehensive zootherapy intervention training and continuing education)

Other Accomplishments

• Winner of the Éclairs de Jeunesse award, young entrepreneur category (2013)
• Training seminars and individual coaching with Synergie Canine (Camille-Audrée Lefebvre) (2014-present)
• Specialized and personalized training on the selection and evaluation of an intervention partner dog (2016)
• Behavior training with Main de Maître (2018)
• Co-founder of a multi-professional wellness intervention group: Les Complices (2020)