PhD Student/Founder
Simmons University/Autism Barks
AJ Cullen, is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW), Certified Animal Assisted Intervention Specialist (C-AAIS) and the founder of Autism Barks. AJ serves at the Chair of the Northeast Regional Advisory Board for Dogs for Better Lives, a non-profit agency that provides service dogs to children and adults throughout the US. She is a proud member of several professional associations including the Association of Animal Assisted Intervention Professionals, International Associationof Human Animal Interaction Organizations, and the International Society of Anthrozoology. AJ earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Florida Gulf Coast University, her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Boston University, and is currently a PhD student at Simmons University. With a strong passion for working with individuals on the Autism Spectrum, AJ has been implementing Animal-Assisted Services (AAS) in her practice since 2010.
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The Power of Paws: Ethical and Effective Animal-Assisted Services in Social Work
Friday, October 24, 2025
1:10 PM - 1:25 PM MT