About Me I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Applied Psychology from City University and a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology, also from City University. I served a one-year internship at Seattle Mental Health in Older Adult Services where I worked with a population of multi-culturally diverse, low socio-economic clients with chronic mental illness. I have several years experience providing Animal-Assisted Activities, more commonly known as Pet Therapy. Along with my Border Collie mix, Andy, I visit residents in local area nursing homes. Andy helps residents adjust to new and often stressful surroundings, provides tactile stimulation via petting and hugging, helps alleviate depression and boredom, and helps with both fine and gross motor skills. Andy is very good at what he does and is quite popular at all the facilities he visits. In 2006 I developed and implemented a Pet Loss Support Group sponsored by the Seattle Animal Shelter. This service provides a safe place for pet owners who have lost a companion animal to share their stories and work through their grief. The group meets weekly and there is no fee for this service. More information can be found here: www.seattle.gov/animalshelter. I am a member of: American Mental Health Counselor's Association Washington Mental Health Counselor's Association Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement Delta Society Connie Starr, MA, RC     206-375-5028     Connie@atalkinthewoods.com     609 10th Ave E. Seattle, WA