AAC Trainers

Dr. Jalen Evans: Jalen Evans, Ph.D., LPC, earned her doctoral degree in counselor education and supervision from Texas A&M Corpus Christi in Spring 2024. She was a graduate of the 2020 AAC Academy cohort with her therapy rabbit, Loyal. Jalen has authored a book chapter on Animal-Assisted School Counseling Competencies and co-authored an article on AAC training. In addition to being the lead trainer for the AAC Academy, she is also a team evaluator and Critter Team trainer.

Nicole is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Registered Play Therapist (RPT), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP). She received both her master's in educational psychology and a bachelor’s of fine arts in dance from the University of Texas at Austin. She is also a graduate of the Texas State Animal-Assisted Counseling Academy. Nicole has been an educator and school counselor at Austin ISD for 25 years, working with elementary, middle, and high school students. She was one of the three finalists for Austin ISD’s 2021 Counselor of the Year. She also received the CREST Award (Counselors Reinforcing Excellence in Texas) presented by the Texas Counseling Association.

Kristen is a Professional School Counselor and Licensed Master Social Worker.  She has served as a school counselor since 2014 and enjoys bringing her creativity and love of working with children to her role in supporting students' emotional and social well-being. In 2022, Kristen and her therapy dog, Hank, graduated from the Texas State University Animal Assisted Counseling (AAC) Academy feeling equipped and confident to successfully implement a safe and effective AASC program.  Hank accompanies her in her work, enriching the therapeutic experience for students and reaching their needs in a way that Kristen finds magical every day.

Amy is a Professional School Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor. She has been a school counselor since 2009 and worked in both elementary and secondary school settings, and as a special education counselor for a school district. In addition to working in schools, she is a contract counselor for a private practice and works with children, adolescents, and adults. In 2022, Amy and her animal partner, Stanley, graduated from the Animal-Assisted Counseling Academy at Texas State University feeling prepared to start an effective AASC program. Stanley partners with Amy in her work, and she loves being able to share an innovative and positive counseling experience with people that enriches their lives!

Cynthia Hodges and her feline partner, Texas Red, were the first cat team to complete the AAC Academy at Texas State University. Cynthia co-developed the Cat Team Evaluation with Dr. Hartwig. She provides training for cat teams that includes clicker training for skills, feline communication, and identifying resources needed for cat partner interventions. In 2023 she co-presented on Cat-Assisted Counseling at the International Society for Anthrozoology Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland.