Donna Latella is a Professor in the Occupational Therapy Department of Quinnipiac University, Hamden, Connecticut. Her teaching responsibilities are numerous throughout the OT curriculum and include: Pathophysiology, Treatment Principles, Problem-based Learning, Fieldwork Supervision, Administration, Service Learning, Capstone Research Projects, and supervising student summer research grants. In addition, she has worked as a faculty OT Clinical Coordinator developing and placing internships across the country.
Donna’s doctoral dissertation culminated in an animal-assisted therapy curriculum guide for occupational therapy programs. She has provided animal-assisted therapy for approximately 18 years and involves her OT students in AAT visits through Service Learning and classroom activities/projects, research, and creation of new AAT programs. She and her Golden Retriever, Aubry, are certified through the Delta Society as a Pet Partner Team. Donna is a registered therapist in Hippotherapy and a registered level Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International instructor. She has worked at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc. since 2006.
Donna lives in Guilford, CT with her husband, 2 teenagers, 4 horses, 3 dogs, and a parrot. She enjoys running, cycling, riding, and boating.
“My research endeavors and student-related projects are dedicated to demonstrating the positive effects of the ‘human-animal bond’, specifically as it relates to animal-assisted therapy. I am thrilled to be working with HHRF toward the same goals.”