Meet Jen
Jen Rogers is a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience in animal training and animal assisted services. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Rutgers University and a Master of Education in Neuroscience and Trauma Response from Tabor College. Additionally, she is a graduate of the National Education for Assistance Dog Services and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Management of Enrichment and Training programs. Jen has worked as a trainer, educator, and manager in the fields of Education and Training throughout her career.
As the Founding Director of Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services (PAALS), Jen has been instrumental in developing and implementing service dog programs and animal-assisted programs tailored for diverse groups, including children, at-risk youth, military personnel with PTSD, and incarcerated individuals. Under her leadership, PAALS achieved accreditation from both Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and Animal Assisted Services International (AASI), distinguishing it as the sole program in South Carolina with such credentials.
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Jen has held certification as an Equine Specialist from the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) and actively applies the principles of Natural Lifemanship. This approach leverages the neuroscience of human-equine relationships to facilitate healing and learning for people with trauma.
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Her commitment to elevating service dog and animal-assisted practices has extended to significant roles on the ADI North American Board of Directors. She has contributed to committees focused on education, training, standards, diversity/equity/inclusion/accessibility, and conference planning. Jen also serves as the ADI liaison to the International Guide Dog Federation and the ADI Dog Welfare and Ethics for Working Dogs Committee. As a founding board member of AASI, she has been pivotal in developing standards, educational forums, competencies, and accreditation processes and has presented internationally on these topics.
Recently, Jen launched Synapsis, a creation combining her passions for educating professionals in the animal assisted education/therapy, assistance dog training, and special program industries with her passion for trauma responsive care. Jen serves veterans, victims of trauma and first responders both professionally and as a volunteer. Together with her nationally certified crisis response dog, Harley, she offers support during natural and human-made disasters and provides resiliency support to military personnel and first responders. Jen is also an active member of the South Carolina Marine Mammal Stranding Network, a role that honors her beginnings as a dolphin and whale trainer and educator.