Michael Lathrop

Animal Assisted Therapy Programs of Colorado

Animal Assisted Therapy Programs of Colorado provides counseling and psychotherapy to clients of all ages with the assistance of our therapy animals. Linda Chassman and Ellen Winston founded AATPC in 2010 based on their belief in the powerful effect animals have in healing and facilitating change. AATPC became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2013 because we found that more than half of our clients were low-income, on Medicaid, Medicare, or CHP+, or were veterans. We wanted to be able to make the benefits of animal-assisted therapy available to everyone who contacted us, regardless of their ability to pay. Our mission is to make the benefits of animal-assisted mental health therapy accessible to people of all ages, income levels, insurance statuses and life circumstances. The program is specifically geared to serve economically, physically, and/or mentally disadvantaged individuals and families. AATPC offers Denver-metro area clients and their families the opportunity to improve their psychological and mental health through strategic therapy sessions with a trained Animal Assisted Therapy Counseling therapist or intern. Because we are considered pioneers in the development of Animal Assisted Therapy as an integral part of counseling and psychotherapy, we provide a range of other services for mental health professionals, including in-person trainings, an online Certificate in Animal Assisted Psychotherapy program, agency consultation and training, and group or individual consultation and supervision.