Anice NascimentoRegional Representative - Brazil
    Below, Anice explains how she began her work in the field and the projects she is currently involved with in Brazil:
    Anice started as a volunteer in an Animal-Assisted Interventions program at a nursing home in 2004.
    I always looked for updates to good standards in AAS, but from 2017 I had access to better courses, such as the intensive one of Bocalan Brazil. Since then I have taken national and international courses.
    I transitioned from work in 2015, when I left law and entered the graduation degree in physiotherapy.
    From 2018, I began attending as a handler in Pediatric Neurofunctional Physiotherapy and later as a health professional and handler.
    I always looked for updates to good standards in AAS, but from 2017 I had access to better courses, such as the intensive one at Bocalan Brasil. Since then I have taken national and international courses in the field.
    In 2022 I became an AASI associated member and in 2025 AASI full member, and today I participate in the Education Committee.
    Also in 2022 I started my Master and my research project was with AATx in physiotherapy and I also took the course of  assistance dogs trainer from Bocalan Argentina.
    I presented a poster at the 2025 IAHAIO Conference, and I am Individual Supporter since then and presented that at the 2026 AASI Conference.
    I formed a group of professionals, from different institutions and who care in disseminate good standards of practice in AAS and we held in 2026: 1 webinar with support from IAHAIO, 1 Workshop on socialization and dog body language and we are organizing a handler´s training course: theory and practice, with 50 hours/class, to have better handlers in AAS in Brazil.