Krista M. Vince Garland, Ph.D.
Associate Professor Ketchum Hall 216Office: (716) 878-5311
Email: garlankm@buffalostate.edu
Teaching and Professional Practice:
I started my teaching career as a special education science teacher in the middle school setting. I have worked in a variety of instructional settings and taught students with varying exceptionalities. In my undergraduate years I served as a marine turtle researcher at the University of Central Florida (I went there for all of my education degrees)- it was a blast! I moved to Buffalo to teach at Buffalo State University and love what I do. I am also a mental health counselor (MHC-P) and maintain a forward-facing, person-centered approach when working with clients and students.
I started my teaching career as a special education science teacher in the middle school setting. I have worked in a variety of instructional settings and taught students with varying exceptionalities. In my undergraduate years I served as a marine turtle researcher at the University of Central Florida (I went there for all of my education degrees)- it was a blast! I moved to Buffalo to teach at Buffalo State University and love what I do. I am also a mental health counselor (MHC-P) and maintain a forward-facing, person-centered approach when working with clients and students.
Research:
My research explores human-animal interactions (HAI) to improve human functioning and student learning outcomes through animal-assisted activities, interventions, education, and therapies (AAA, AAI, AAE, & AAT respectively). I maintain an active agenda that centers on fidelity of implementation of evidence-based practices among professionals who serve vulnerable populations. Previous research projects have focused on utilizing virtual reality simulation technologies in teacher preparation.
My research explores human-animal interactions (HAI) to improve human functioning and student learning outcomes through animal-assisted activities, interventions, education, and therapies (AAA, AAI, AAE, & AAT respectively). I maintain an active agenda that centers on fidelity of implementation of evidence-based practices among professionals who serve vulnerable populations. Previous research projects have focused on utilizing virtual reality simulation technologies in teacher preparation.
Service:
I serve on a number of university committees and am a Senate representative for the School of Education. I am also co-faculty advisor
I serve on a number of university committees and am a Senate representative for the School of Education. I am also co-faculty advisor
for Buffalo State University's chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, an International Honor Society in education. I am the program coordinator for the SPCA Paws for Love Therapy Animal Program!
My therapy dog Lemon and I enjoy volunteering at events around campus and throughout western New York. Lemon is a certified therapy dog through SPCA Serving Erie County's Paws for Love (PFL) Therapy Dog program. She has also been evaluated and certified as an AKC Community Canine. We volunteer as a team when we can. I spend a lot of my service time as the PFL Program Coordinator. It's a BIG program with almost 300 animal-assistance teams!
I also serve as a school board trustee for the North Tonawanda School District (2018-2027).
Professional Memberships:
- Animal Assisted Interventions International (AAII)
- Animals and Society Institute (ASI)
- American Counseling Association (ACA)
- Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals (AAAIP)
- Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
- International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ)
- Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
- National Animal Care and Control Association (NACCA)
- National Association for Professional Development Schools (NAPDS)
- New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC)
- New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA)
- Niagara Organizing Alliance for Hope (NOAH)
- Peacemakers of Western New York
- Society for Disability Studies
- SPCA Serving Erie County Paws for Love