・Philip Tedeschi1／Miyako Kinoshita2
1 Denver University, Founder and Exective Director of Institute for Human-Animal Connection and Graduate School of Social Work／2 Education Program Manager, Green Chimneys Farm and wildlife Center Sam and Myra Ross Institute at Green Chimneys

“Growing Together: Children, Animals and Sowing the Seeds of Resiliency”

This presentation will explore the concept of resiliency and how Animal Assisted Interventions and Nature Based Programs can support developing resilient and strong children.

As we saw in the disasters like Hanshin earthquake, humans have an incredible ability to bounce back from a very difficult and often tragic experience to thrive if support is given. At the same time, often after such disasters, we hear the media coverage on lack of mental health support and grievance counseling, resulting in children’s trauma not being taken care of.

The Institute for Human-Animal Connections at University of Denver School of Social Work, and Sam and Myra Ross Institute at Green Chimneys have been collaborating for the last several years to explore and educate people in the field of Human-Animal Bond about the positive impact of nature and animals on children and adults, from clinical and educational point of views.

In this presentation we will be exploring the new science of risk, protection and resilience in understanding methods for working with children. Resilience generally refers to the successful adaption to risks and adversity. Increasingly experts frame resilience as an outcome of a youth having specific protective factors. So what are those factors? Can they be provided to youth in our care? Careful intervention research examining youth in school, Family and community settings suggest that in fact we can. Intervention science has allowed for the identification of evidence based factors (assets) both internal and external, that predict positive and healthy youth development. This presentation will bring you the Most current understanding of these developmental assets; The 5 C’s of Positive Youth Development and explore how they are attained by youth at Green Chimneys. Please Join Professor Philip Tedeschi and Education program manager Miyako Kinoshita as we Explore these important new concepts.