Five Core Sections
Clinical Science & Theory
The neurobiological, polyvagal, and attachment mechanisms behind Animal-Assisted Interventions. Evidence base, clinical applications, and the MIIRP integration model.
Mobility & Support Service Dog
Benny's complete development program — health testing protocols, mobility task profile, 24-month training timeline, and clinical capability map.
Protocols, Scripts & Documentation
Grounding behaviors (DPT, Proximity, Interruption), full session scripts, SOAP note templates, and intervention playbooks for PTSD, moral injury, and dissociation.
Veteran Outreach & Grant Framework
AAI Clinical Practice integration strategy, phased AAI rollout, veteran engagement model, and Fox Grant-aligned program narrative.
IAADP Standards & Public Access Test
Full IAADP minimum training standards, ADI Public Access Test checklist, legal framework under the ADA, and handler responsibilities.
Benny
Cane Corso | Blue | DOB Jan 27, 2026
Benny is being developed as a Mobility & Support Service Dog with a parallel clinical AAI capability track. His 24-month program integrates health testing, structured obedience, public access training, and task-specific clinical behaviors.
Veteran & Moral Injury
MIIRP + AAI Integration
AAI is uniquely positioned for moral injury treatment. The dog reduces the shame barrier, enables truth-telling without immediate judgment, and provides a witness presence during narrative reconstruction — core elements of the MIIRP model.
Michael Spayde, SPHR
MSW Student · Spring Arbor University · Leslie, MI
Michael Spayde brings 16 years of working dog expertise to his MSW clinical training, combining deep practical knowledge of service dog development with advanced trauma-informed behavioral health practice. His work integrates the human-animal bond as a structured clinical tool — not a supplement, but a primary therapeutic mechanism.
As a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and MSW student at Spring Arbor University, Michael is developing a comprehensive Animal-Assisted Intervention framework targeting veteran populations experiencing PTSD, moral injury, and TBI-related behavioral health needs. His Cane Corso, Benny, is currently in the foundation phase of a 24-month service dog development program.
Internship Placement Site
Leslie, MI · (517) 983-3198