Holly Bushard, a certified Therapy Dog International evaluator is scheduled to discuss ethics, training and certification of therapy canines on Thursday, March 26, at 12:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Prairie Rose Room at NDSU. 

The event is part of the 2015 Spring Animal-Assisted Therapy Seminar Series presented by the NDSU Counseling Center, Equine Science Program and Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences.

The event is free and open to the public. Attendees can ask questions and learn about the process of becoming members of a registered therapy team.

Bushard’s life has been defined by her dogs for more than 25 years. She has partnered with three different breeds of therapy dogs and has experienced first-hand the diverse talents and gifts that therapy dogs bring to the public. After volunteering and evaluating therapy dog teams for six years, Bushard believes that the strengths of both the dog and the handler are critical to forming the teamwork that builds a successful volunteer team. 

Bushard has worked as a narcotics dog handler, run an animal shelter and taught countless dog training classes. She currently shares her home with three dogs and competes in obedience, rally and agility.

For more information, contact Amber Bach-Gorman at 701-231-7671 or amber.bach@ndsu.edu.

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