standing tall
The Story

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I stand for the ethical partnership of animals and humans

What do you stand for?

I grew up in deep connection to my childhood animals. I “rescued” everything I found on my outdoor adventures and would become inconsolably upset if I came across an animal in distress. Deemed a sensitive child, I was fortunate to have a parent who observed my love of animals and the outdoors early on and facilitated these connections through camps, outdoor clubs and ample time with horses, camping and hiking.

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Following high school, I completed my Montessori Teacher Training for ages 2-6 and had the privilege of working in a wonderful Montessori Kindergarten. Although I cared for the children deeply, I was intrigued at the brain-based differences I was witnessing in such young children which led me to the University of Victoria to complete my undergraduate degree in Child Psychology. Following my B.A I worked at the Queen Alexandra Centre for Children’s Health in the early autism intervention program in which I gained skills, education and practice working with children and their families on the autism spectrum.

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This experience inspired me towards completing my M.A in Counselling Psychology with a focus in early childhood and with children in care. I always knew I wanted to connect my love of working with children with my love of animals and in outdoor contexts with counselling. My 15 years of attending a multitude of summer camps followed by many summers working as a camp counsellor and Camp Director cemented my belief in the power of the outdoors for developing young people.

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Post my M.A, I trained in play therapy, equine facilitated wellness for mental health, canine assisted integration and more. I have been in private practice for ten years working out of a number of locations and with many species of animals. I have become most intrigued by partnering with my eldest golden retriever Kona for the last ten years and all she has taught me in her helping work with an incredible range of individuals. My witnessing of this work over a ten-year span of time along with being a voracious reader of animal sentient science and ethics in this work have culminated in my ten years as an animal included practitioner who is driven by clear and strong ethical practice guidelines.

Beyond my foray into working in mental health, I have also worked in community development for 16 years. When the covid pandemic struck, I led collaborative teams of social service professionals working the front lines and together we supported each other through incredibly difficult times in our work during the triple pandemics of covid, overdose and suicide without a guidebook. At times, when our human spirits appeared fatigued and hopeless in our working landscapes we would invite the dogs to join meetings and the results were astounding. The dogs brought hope, joy and uplifted spirits during hard times.

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In 2025, Standing Tall celebrates ten years of working in ethical partnership with animals and children. In my tenth year, I am excited to expand my practice out of two different locations based in south Langley or east mission in Deroche.

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I stand for the ethical partnership of animals and humans

What do you stand for?