Dr. Anne Perkins, Ph.D
Human-Animal Bond Founder and Executive Director
The Human-Animal Bond Program at Carroll College was conceived and is directed by Carroll faculty member Dr. Anne Perkins, Ph. D., Professor of Psychology. Dr. Perkins has been employed as a professor at Carroll College since 1990. She received her Ph.D. in animal behavior in 1992 from the University of California- Davis. Concurrent with her faculty career at Carroll, Dr. Perkins held an appointment as a cooperative research scientist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for eight years (1992-1999). Her work in this capacity has resulted in several papers, a book chapter, and a patented drug protocal. Dr. Perkins' love of horses prompted the five years she spent researching feral horses in the Prior Mountains and drives her current passion for endurance riding. She is an active member of the International Society of Anthrozoology (ISAZ), the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA), the Delta Society, the Equine Faciltiated Mental Health Association (EFMHA), the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA), and the Equine Guided Education Association (EGEA). Dr. Perkins spends her free time at home training her border collies and riding her Arabian horses.
Leif Hallberg, M.A.
Human-Animal Bond Program Equine Instructor
Ms. Hallberg is a horse trainer turned mental health professional who came into the field of Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies in 1996. Her experience includes a 1997 efficacy study of emerging Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) and Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) programs across the U.S. within pre-existing therapeutic riding centers (this project was supported in part by the Animal Therapy Association), the creation and oversite of three EFP/EFL programs in Arizona, New Mexico and Montana, a 2003 thesis entitled "Horses as Healers: Exploring the psychological implications of the horse-human relationship", and most recently publishing her first book "Walking the Way of the Horse: Exploring the power of the horse-human relationship." Ms. Hallberg is a board member of the Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association and Chairperson of the Curriculum Committee. Ms. Hallberg's free time is sent with her human and animal family - trying to be out of doors as much as possible!
Tia Nelson, DVM
Human-Animal Bond Canine Instructor
Tia Nelson, DVM was raised in Great Falls, MT and never quite grew out of her passion for horses. She spent 15 years working in Helena, MT as a professional farrier, shoeing approximately 50 horses per week. She went to veterinary school at Colorado State University, graduating in 1999 and returning to Helena, MT after her graduation. Dr. Nelson owns and operates Total Dynamics Balance Vet Hospital and treats cats, dogs, horses, and other animals. Her practice incorporates acupuncture, chiropractic, and nutritional counseling as well as traditional methods. Teaching is one of Dr. Nelson's personal passions. She has lectured nationally on numerous topics from hoof care to veterinary medicine. Dr. Nelson loves teaching at Carroll and finds the students motivational and inspiring.