History of AACR

How AACR got started:

Cindy Ehlers, founded HOPE Animal Assisted Crisis Response (HOPE AACR), in 1998, after responding to the Thurston High School shooting in Springfield, Oregon. She identified that Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) teams need more specialized training to provide safe effective AAT services at crisis and disaster situations. She developed formal training and certification standards for AACR, which have been continuously improved upon over the years. Cindy stepped down as President of HOPE AACR to found the National Organization for Animal Assisted Crisis Response (National AACR or AACR). Although Cindy no longer participates with Hope Crisis Response, she remains an honorary member.