Jennie Dapice

Dr. Jennie Dapice is an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of New England’s Portland Campus for the Health Sciences. She also teaches part-time as an Assistant Professor at the University of Southern Maine. Her expertise lies in pediatric occupational therapy and animal-assisted interventions, with a focus on school-based practices and youth mental health. Dr. Dapice holds a Ph.D. in Health Related Sciences from Virginia Commonwealth University (2015) and an M.A. in Occupational Therapy from Tufts University. Her research examines the efficacy of animal-assisted interventions, particularly regarding playfulness and participation in pediatric settings.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Health Related Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2015
• M.A. in Occupational Therapy, Tufts University

Research Interests: Dr. Dapice’s work integrates animal-assisted interventions (AAI) into occupational therapy practices. She explores how AAI enhances participation and playfulness in school settings, particularly for children with disabilities. Her clinical experience includes roles at Children’s Hospital in Boston, Perkins School for the Blind, and Cambridge Public Schools. She actively collaborates with the Canine Companions Therapy Dog Program and serves on boards for ElderPet and the Tufts University Center for Animals and Public Policy.

Labs/Teams: Works with Canine Companions Therapy Dog Program, ElderPet, and the Tufts Center for Animals and Public Policy.