My name is Dr. Terri Hlava. My working service dog Copper and I are members of ASU’s Disabilities Studies Advisory Committee and instructors in the School of Social Transformation where we teach Disability Studies, Justice Studies, and a course about the Human-Animal Bond.

We love supporting academic and social skills among pre-emergent bilingual students and students with and without this-abilities. Shay, my other working service dog, and I work together in Title I elementary schools where students teach her the same skills that they are learning! We really love our work – it’s kids and dogs, and adults and dogs.

We also co-founded the non-profit Human Animal Bond In Teaching And Therapies (H.A.B.I.T.A.T.). This work nourishes our souls, and my teammates and I have been in the field for nearly 30 years, so if ever you have questions about research or the Disabilities Studies Certificate, or want to hear a great dog story, just reach out – we’re always happy to share.