Relevant Educational archival works 

While this may not represent the final iteration of my training on service dog laws as they apply to college campuses, it offers a strong example of how I educate individuals on the rights and roles of service dogs. Understanding these laws is especially important for the VA, as they impact how staff engage with all veterans—including older adults—who rely on service animals for independence, safety, and dignity.While we remain a very small percent of society in need of this type of support, I believe ALL individuals and animals trained to support folks should be welcomed in many environments. 

This poster presentation, though focused on bereavement in childhood, offers insights that extend meaningfully to the aging population. I explored the topic to deepen my understanding of loss, drawing on the Kübler-Ross model and expanding into nuanced forms such as disenfranchised grief—grief that is often unrecognized or unsupported by society. For example, losing one’s sight is a profound form of disenfranchised grief, and many seniors face compounded losses: physical decline, the death of spouses and friends, and the erosion of long-held identities. My grandmother lost her mother at age seven, and through this research, I gained a deeper empathy for the enduring impact of early loss. The ripple effects of grief are not confined to one life stage—they echo across generations, shaping how individuals cope, connect, and find meaning throughout the lifespan.

Although this was not the final version of my spirituality presentation in social work, it reflects my deeply held beliefs about the human pursuit of meaning—especially during times of loss, transition, and identity transformation. I am a profoundly spiritual person who believes in Heaven and in God, and I often turn to the Heavens and to those I’ve lost for guidance. This connection has been a sustaining force throughout my life, particularly during my transition from full sight to blindness—a shift that challenged not only my physical reality but also my sense of self. Religion has sometimes served as a vessel for that connection, but my spirituality transcends any single tradition. It is rooted in ancestral reverence, personal ritual, and a deep belief that those who came before us continue to walk beside us.

My grandmother Joyce, who lost her mother at age seven, taught me that grief can echo across generations—and that spiritual resilience often begins with storytelling, remembrance, and ritual. In my practice as a social worker specializing in aging and disability, I recognize that each individual’s spiritual framework—whether shaped by organized religion, cultural tradition, or private reflection—can be a profound source of strength. For older adults navigating the death of a spouse, the loss of physical abilities, or the erosion of long-held roles, honoring their spiritual beliefs is not just compassionate—it’s essential. Spirituality offers comfort, continuity, and a sense of belonging that clinical interventions alone cannot replicate.

I believe spiritual leaders often provide more peace and clarity than any medical model therapy. Carl Rogers understood this, borrowing wisdom from diverse belief systems to walk alongside individuals in their most vulnerable moments. As a practitioner, I strive to do the same—ensuring that no one walks alone, and that their spiritual truths are not only respected but uplifted.