Dr. Alexis Walsh, LCSW, ADHD-CCSP
Owner of Constanta Wellness & Healing, LLC
Dr. Walsh has a decade of experience in the mental health field. She has worked in the community as a youth/family therapist and also worked in various school settings, including serving on a Child Study Team, developing individual plans for student success.
Dr. Walsh has vast specialized training in Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI), which includes over 20 years of hands-on experience with animals, and formal training through the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work – Institute for Human-Animal Interactions. She has designed and implemented two previous AAI programs; one at an alternative school, and the other in an outpatient setting working with children and families. She also managed a vocational skills program for youth at an animal shelter in Pennsylvania under Hand2Paw. Additionally, she completed her Doctorate in Clinical Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania, where her research was specifically focused on AAI. Dr. Walsh also worked to earn her Certified Clinical Practitioner certification in ADHD treatment.
Dr. Walsh then created and operated The Animal Therapy Room (ATR) at West Deptford Middle School. This program provides students with a safe, calm space where they can focus on developing enhanced emotional regulation skills through relationships with animals and a place of increased learning opportunity.
Dr. Walsh created Constanta Wellness & Healing to incorporate her vast skill set, the evidence-based practices of animal assisted interventions, a nod to care farming techniques, and nature based wellness experiences to offer a dynamic counseling opportunity to the community.
Gina Ciconte
Owner of Safe Haven Farm
Gina Ciconte created Safe Haven Farm with the vision of helping animals and people in need. Each animal has a story of bravery, strength, and acceptance to share. She has welcomed many organizations and small groups to the farm in it's tenure for educational, philanthropic, and wellness experiences.
Some of the positive effects of spending time with animals and nature include an increased ability to trust and show empathy, a positive impact on emotional health and mood, an overall sense of competence and responsibility, a decrease in stress levels/blood pressure/heart rate, a deeper awareness of self/others/environment, and the ability to develop more meaningful life connections.
In Safe Haven Farm, Gina Ciconte has created a one-of-a-kind educational experience where individuals can interact with animals, learn about and perhaps identify with each rescue story, and begin to understand relationship/herd dynamics in an effort to instill a sense of compassion and respect. Research shows that respect for animals directly correlates to increased empathy for others. Gina's wish for Safe Haven Farm is that it have a positive impact on the greater community and influence humanity in the world.
"Rescued animals rescuing people."