Robin Peth-Pierce, MPA, MSW, VSW,
C-AAIS 
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the power of the natural world Humans are innately drawn to the natural world, including the plants and animals around them, known as biophilia theory. As I transition to the field of social work, my goal is to work in community and / or afterschool settings to leverage the potential of the natural world to support youth and family well-being.
I witness the power of the natural world firsthand, in my volunteer roles as a co-advisor for the NR Homesteaders 4-H Club (teaching youth to agriculture and livestock production), as well as the work I do in the Cuyahoga County PetPals program, working with youth help train companion animals for visits to assisted living. My goal is to utilize my background in kid's mental health research and newly-gained social work skills (Master's in Social Work, May 2025, Cleveland State University) and veterinary social work skills
(VSW Certificate, Cleveland State University, May 2025) to help organizations facilitate the innovation, creation, dissemination, and implementation of programs that leverage the power of human-animal bond to improve youth health, mental health, and family well-being. |
NEW PUBLICATION
The Professional Application of Therapy Dogs in Schools
(PATS Protocol) with Foreward by Dr. Aubrey H. Fine Purdue University Press (Dapice & Peth-Pierce, forthcoming, March 2026) New poster presentatioNCOMING SOON! International Association of Social Work Groups, June 9-11, 2025
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My background: translating research findingsFor nearly three decades, I collaborated with research teams (Columbia University, New York University, Ohio State University) and non-profit organizations in the U.S. and abroad (The Child Mental Health Foundations and Agencies Network; World Federation for Mental Health; The National Committee for Quality Assurance) to more rapidly translate scientific discoveries into everyday use to improve the quality of and access to behavioral healthcare for children and their families. My early career training as a Presidential Management Fellow (1993-1995) at the National Institutes of Health, the nation's largest federal biomedical research enterprise, ignited a passion for working collaboratively with scientists to translate and disseminate research findings for parents, providers, and policymakers.
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Example: Equine therapy researchJournal articles & book chapters:
Reining in Anxiety Outcomes (2022); Modified Bit Device to Obtain Saliva Samples from Horses (2021); Adaptive Riding Incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Elements for Youth with Anxiety: Fidelity Outcomes Equine-Assisted Services’ Foundation in Understanding Human-Horse Interactions (2023)
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