Hello! My name is Jessica Gonzales and I am a licensed occupational therapist and post-professional doctorate student at New York University. Growing up, I have always been surrounded by dogs and have always been passionate about animals. Throughout my occupational therapy journey, I discovered that dogs can be more than just a pet at home - they can also serve a purpose. Once I learned more about animal assisted therapy with dogs and occupational therapy, I knew that I wanted to explore this area which has led to my doctoral topic: Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) with dogs and Occupational Therapy in a Pediatric Setting.