Tara Delong

Tara Delong is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Recreation Management & Recreational Therapy at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, College of Health Sciences. She is dually certified as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and Health Education Specialist, with 25 years of clinical experience in behavioral health at Gundersen Health System. Her work bridges academic instruction and real-world therapeutic practice, with strong community engagement and interprofessional collaboration.

Her research and professional interests include mental health, trauma-informed care, group facilitation, cultural humility, and health education. She is particularly known for integrating facility dogs like “Dr. Wags” into clinical education, enhancing student preparedness for working with clients who use service animals. Her teaching includes courses such as Mental Health and Recreational Therapy, Program Design, Authentic Leadership, and Clinical Supervision.

Her recent scholarly work focuses on advancing evidence-based practice in recreational therapy. In 2024, she co-authored an article on the RT Open Eagles initiative, an open-access repository developed through a graduate capstone project to support EBP in the field. She has also been active in disseminating knowledge through presentations at conferences and webinars, including topics on facility dog programs for life enrichment in nursing homes and educational settings.

• Interviewed by Wisconsin Public Radio on the role of awe in mental well-being
• Presented “How to Establish a Facility Dog Program” at the Great Lakes Recreational Therapy Student Conference
• Co-presented webinars featuring Facility Dog Rossi (“Dr. Wags”) with hundreds of activity directors

Tara Delong is actively involved in student clinical supervision and interprofessional initiatives at the Health Science Interprofessional Research Center. She plays a key role in preparing future therapists through innovative, experiential learning and community partnerships. Her work emphasizes self-care, sustainability in therapeutic practice, and the integration of nature and emotional support animals into health and wellness programs.