It started by falling in love with a tough dog.
Handlers & Humans LLC is the passion project of Jess Adam, an emotional support coach for dog lovers with a decade of experience as a licensed psychotherapist, and proud mom of a reactive dog who teaches her about resilience every day.
I'MÂ JESS.
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I'm a licensed professional counselor, the founder of Handlers & Humans, and the person behind everything you'll find here.
Earlier in my career, I pursued certification in animal-assisted interventions and facilitated equine therapy, experiences that shaped my deep respect for the human-animal bond and the emotional impact of animals. Not to mention, I grew up riding horses and loving dogs.
I'm currently advancing my work by pursuing a post-graduate certificate in Veterinary Social Work.
Since 2021, I've offered 1:1 coaching and educational support for dog guardians and professionals. My work focuses on the human side of the leash, blending clinical expertise with lived experience to help people and professionals in the dog world feel more grounded, supported, and emotionally resilient.
I'm the author of continuing education programs recognized by professional dog training organizations, and I've spoken for dog-related podcasts, conferences, and summits.
My mission is to expand the conversation around mental health in the canine world, because in order to truly support dogs, we have to support their handlers and humans.
THIS IS DIO.
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In 2014, I was a newly licensed therapist who brought home a six-month-old puppy with a crooked ear and big feelings, hoping he could become my co-therapist in animal-assisted interventions.
Instead, I quickly found myself overwhelmed by his unexpectedly intense, anxious, and reactive behavior. Like so many reactive dog owners, I had no idea what I was getting into.
The years that followed were filled with the ups and downs of dog training and more than a few tears on the sidewalk.
The trainers I worked with were skilled and kind, but their focus was on Dio. No one was there to support me through the emotional toll of loving a dog with complex needs.
After seriously considering whether to call the rescue and return him, I started using the same evidence-based mental health tools I shared with my therapy clients to support myself as a guardian.
That change in focuse shifted everything for us, and became the foundation for Handlers & Humans.
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Check out the Media page to see all the places we've gotten to talk about mental health for dog people!
