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Robin Peth-Pierce, MPA, SW-T, C-AAISFor nearly three decades, I have collaborated with university-based research teams (Columbia 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 health and behavioral health care available to 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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Featured Publications
Equine Therapy
Research Project: Reining in Anxiety Outcomes (2022) |
The Potential of the Natural World to Improve Health and Well-Being
My focus now: leveraging the potential of the natural world (plants and animals) to improve youth and family well-being. As an example, I worked on a research team testing an equine therapy intervention incorporating cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) elements to treat youth anxiety (see Reining in Anxiety, above). Humans are innately drawn to the natural world around them, including plants and animals (i.e., the biophilia theory), and I see the power of this 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 Cuyahoga County PetPals program (working with youth help train companion animals for visits to assisted living). I am a certified Project Green Teacher (The Ohio State University Extension, College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences), a social worker in training (SW-T), working toward my master's degree in social work with additional certifications in school-based social work, and recently earned my certification as an Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist (C-AAIS) from
The Association of Animal- Assisted Intervention Professionals.
Is your community or school interested in creating nature-based programs geared toward improving youth well-being? Reach out to me at robinpethpierce@phcc4betterhealth.com ~ I am looking forward to working with you!