Minal Kavishwar
Minal Kavishvar, founder of Animal Angels Foundation (“AAF”) – has been transforming lives since 2003. A trained Clinical Psychologist and Animal Therapist from University of North Texas, Minal is the first person to introduce the internationally-recognized professional discipline of Animal Assisted Therapy (“AAT”) in India. Apart from being the only organization in India that imparts intensive training to volunteers and professional therapists (both humans and animals), she also provides consultation to set up AAT centers in India and abroad.
Minal has won the international awards 'Beyond Limits 2007' by Pet Partners, USA for exemplary work in developing AAT as a field in India. She was also awarded the Ashoka Fellowship and declared one of the top 6 women entrepreneurs in India by She The People Forum. Minal has also been a speaker at prestigious Conferences held by NIH & IAHAIO* in the USA apart from the ones in India. She is also featured in the leading newspapers, Magazines and TV shows in India & abroad.
Minal started this work when India was totally unfamiliar with the concept of animals in the therapeutic setting. The foremost challenge she faced was to change the mindset of people to accept animals as therapeutic agents. From ‘No dogs allowed in Hospitals and Schools’ to ‘We wish to start AAT program at our Hospital / School’ was a huge transformation of the Indian mindset. She has been involving the pet owning community, thought to be elite, into volunteering with their trained therapy pets to visit those with disabilities or in need. Thus making AAT accessible to those who can’t afford a dog or therapy on their own.
Abstracts this author is presenting: