Amy Johnson, President and Executive Director
Amy Johnson is the Director of Teacher's Pet: Dogs and Kids Learning Together. She is also the Director of the Center for Human Animal Interventions at Oakland University and the online Animal Assisted Therapy Certificate program which she developed and has directed since 2007. She is co-facilitator of the Human Animal Interventions in Counseling Interest Network through the American Counseling Association, a board member and chair of the competencies committee for the American Psychological Association, Human Animal Interactions Division 17 as well as on the dog welfare committee for Animal Assisted Interventions International. She has published journal articles and book chapters related to human animal interventions. She is a licensed professional counselor as well as a nationally certified dog trainer.

Diane Shekell, Secretary
When I first started the Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) certification program at Oakland University, I had no idea what a positive impact it would have on my life. I was interested in taking my dog to nursing homes and thought it would be a good idea to learn more about the human-animal bond. While working through the modules of the course, I learned about Teacher’s Pet so I went to observe a class first hand. It was an extraordinary experience. It was so impressive to watch all the kids train their dogs with such care and compassion. Every interaction was a positive one. The shelter dogs were getting a lot of kind words, attention and treats from the kids. It was clear that both the dogs and the kids enjoyed being together and were learning many things from each other. Since becoming part of the Teacher’s Pet program, I have received my AAT certification and have become a certified dog trainer. I have also completed a shelter dog practicum and enjoy keeping up on the latest information in this field. I am so happy to have found a place where I can share my love of all animals in a classroom setting. I feel very lucky to be here!

Patricia Miottel, Director
My mom always said that if there was ever a cry for help, it hit my ears first. If there’s an underdog (pun intended), I’m pulling for it. I’ve worked at the Macomb County Juvenile Justice Center since 2007, and everyday I learn something new. When I was asked to be part of the Teacher’s Pet program, I jumped at it. It’s amazing to see the bond that is formed, but I’m not at all surprised. Most of the dogs we get from the shelter are strays or have been abused. When the kids learn that nobody cared that their dog--their family member--was on the streets, cold and hungry, or missing an ear because it was used as bait, they can unfortunately relate. But when they see the dogs learn to trust humans again, and love unconditionally, it gets me EVERY time. In the end, all of the participants, human and canine, become survivors, not victims. I am so lucky towork with these wonderful ladies, and am so grateful to Amy for bringing this amazing program to the JJC. To truly believe in what you do, and to be a part of the magic is awesome. My husband and I are also grateful because they introduced us to our two “kids”, Teacher’s Pet graduates, Minxy and Hamlet.                                         

Rachel Gentz, Director                                                                                                                            I am the Lead Dog Trainer Humane Society of Macomb. I always ended up with the dog that no one else wanted to take because of behavior problems. My first foster failure, Homer, and his significant behavioral challenges is what led me to get certified through Animal Behavior College and the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. I was thrilled to start working with the kids at Teacher's Pet because I can relate to making bad choices and overcoming them. The bond that is created between the kids and dogs and the progress they make together is something that can not be put into words. Dogs have made such an impact on my life, it is truly an honor to make even the slightest impact on the kids' and dogs' lives. Each session I learn more from the kids than I think I can ever teach them! I am so lucky to be a part of the Teacher's Pet family. I love that we collaborate with other groups, rescues and shelters. There is always something new to learn and if we all work together great things can happen!

Melissa Kutchek, Director I was first introduced to Animal Assisted Therapy in college, back in the early 90’s, where it wasn’t a very popular form of therapy. However, I also learned of a program was using dolphins to help kids with PTSD. I knew it was something I HAD to work in. So I moved to Chicago and volunteered at the Shedd Aquarium working with the Beluga Whales and Penguins, and received a certification in Dolphin Training at the Dolphin Research Center, where I was reintroduced to AAT. It was a very hard field to get into at the time with minimal to no funding available. Fast forward many moons later, I continued my career in Clinical Research and I thought AAT was just a pipe dream, until I met Amy Johnson and her program in 2016. I was completely blown away and knew I had to be a part of such an incredible opportunity and began volunteering! Fast forward 3 years later and Teachers Pet has become a full blown part of me. Now as one of the facilitators at Crossroads for Youth, I am able to help At Risk Youth AND shelter dogs, all while doing “therapy”, and my dream has come true. I am honored that not only myself, but my own rescue doggy PradaEnchilada, are able to represent such an amazing team of people with incredibly large hearts and a program that changes so many lives! To be a part of these magical moments will never ever get old for me, and each holds a special place in my heart.

Elizabeth Morris, Director My name is Elizabeth Morris, everyone calls me Beth. I am currently a Teacher at the Macomb County Juvenile Justice Center. I have been teaching here for 3 years. I originally had a dream of becoming a legal advocate for women and children that came from bad situations. I volunteered at a women's shelter throughout college. The director would bring their dog in everyday and he kinda became the shelter's mascot. This was my first experience with seeing how a therapy dog can influence people's lives. After graduating Central Michigan with a degree in Political Science and History, I decided Law School was just not the right path for me. I started working at a high school as an in-house tutor. I found out that in classroom is where I wanted to be. So I went back to school for my certification in Secondary English and Social Studies. After earning my teaching certificate I landed a job in a Middle School teaching 6th grade. It was the worst year of my life. I started second guessing myself on why I became a teacher. The general education classroom was not for me. That summer I received a call that the JJC needed a permanent substitute teacher. I was hesitant because I was 8 months pregnant with my son at the time. I had never heard of the JJC before that call, but I fell in love with the program. I found where I needed to be and where I could make the biggest difference. I had to go back to school to earn my Emotional Impairment Certification. I am currently attending Oakland University with one class left for my Master in Special Education with a concentration in EI. I was approached by Ms. Patti at the JJC to come to a board meeting and see what Teacher's Pet was all about. I was familiar with the program because my first year at the JJC Teacher's Pet was still there and I would go see the dogs when they were here. I would hear the stories from the kids about the dogs and when they told the stories they would have a spark in their eyes and a change in their voices like they were talking about their own children. So after that long story that is how I became involved in Teachers Pet and I am super excited about it. By the way I have two kids (5 year old girl, 2 year old boy), two rescue cats (7 year old girl, 2 year old boy) and two rescue dogs (10 year old boxer/pit, 7 month old shepherd/lab). Also, my first rescue dog a 11 year old terrier mix that I adopted before I left Central Michigan is now living with my mom because she could not handle the stairs at our new house. I really excited to get involved as much as I can with Teacher's Pet.