Companions in Care: Exploring the Transformative Role of Service Animals in Mental Health Treatment

In this episode of the “World We Want” podcast series, Dr. Eric Altschular and Simone Emmons talk to Márcia Balisciano about the their book Animal Assisted Therapy and the importance of service animals in treating a large array of mental health disorders. 

Eric Altschuler, MD, PhD is Associate Chief and Director of Clinical Research in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Metropolitan Hospital and Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at New York Medical College. Dr. Altschuler is also an Associate Editor of the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Simone Emmons is a Veteran, PTSD/SA/MST/DV/Addiction Survivor, blessed Mom of three children and one service dog. She has gone from surviving to thriving as a mental health advocate, author, innovator and Co-founder of Service Dog Strong. SDS is one of the first non-profits in America to pair rescued Service dogs with SA and MST Survivors diagnosed with PTSD from their assault.

Eric Altschuler is the editor and author of the book Animal Assisted Therapy, and Simone Emmons is the author of Chapter 8.