Pet Therapy and Animal Assisted Therapy

Animal Assisted Therapy Presentation
With Roger Allen & Pippa Allen

We’re delighted to announce an upcoming presentation on the transformative role of Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT). Led by Roger Allen and his exceptional canine colleague, Pippa. This session will explore how Service, Therapy, and Companion Dogs support individuals living with physical and psychological disabilities.

Presentation Highlights:

• Understanding access rights for assistance, support, and therapy animals
• Respectful ways to interact with working animals in public spaces
• The time and financial commitments involved in caring for a support animal
• Training pathways for support animals
• Lived experiences from those who work and live with support animals

About the Presenters
Roger Allen brings over 50 years of lived experience in animal-assisted therapy interventions, underpinned by a global career in leadership and transformative change. As a qualified obedience, behaviour, and psychiatric assistance dog trainer, Roger offers attendees a rare and insightful perspective on human–animal partnerships that foster healing, trust, and inclusion.

Pippa Allen is a 7-year-old Black and Tan Kelpie certified Psychiatric Assistance Dog. While “Vest-Off” for the evening, Pippa retains full-Service Dog credentials. She works daily at a care facility, supporting her handler, Helen—Roger’s wife—and works with neurodiverse individuals and those with complex needs. Her calm temperament, intuitive awareness, and intensive training make her an invaluable support companion.

There is no cost to enrol and this will be held at the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Community College. Space is limited with the first 20 responses able to attend in person, but a link will be sent out for anyone else to watch the events virtually and ask questions.  

Prior to the event we will send out information with a Zoom link for those who are unable to attend in person.