Laura Cardwell began her career as a collaborator, leveraging her creative skills to visualize and promote clients effectively. From 2005 to 2013, she founded and led a successful media production company in Alabama, USA specializing in video advertising, marketing, and photography. During this time, she provided documentary services to an animal-assisted therapy organization, which inspired her to certify as a therapy team with her beloved Labrador Retriever, delivering therapeutic interactions in hospitals, schools, and nursing homes.

From 2013 to 2018, Laura served as Executive Director of that animal-assisted therapy organization where she worked to expand its impact locally, nationally, and internationally. During her tenure, she attended the IAHAIO 2015 Copenhagen Symposium and the 2016 Paris Triennial Conference, fostering global connections in the field. Under her leadership, Hand in Paw became an award-winning nonprofit, and she successfully led a $2 million capital campaign to expand its facilities and services. 

In 2018, Laura earned her certification in canine bodywork and established a dog care specialties company, where she offers deep tissue massage, exercise therapy and geriatric consultation.

Laura’s career reflects her commitment to fostering meaningful connections and improving lives, particularly through her work with rescue dogs.  She currently resides in Alabama, USA with her two rescues, Thelma and Louise.