Linda Chassman Craddock's first animal partner was her cat, Norman, who in 1995 showed how he could calm and challenge clients with difficult trauma in a unique and compassionate way. Her experience as a clinician and educator led to cofounding Animal Assisted Therapy Programs of Colorado (AATPC) in 2010, where she now serves as executive director. Her passion for animal rescue has, over the years, provided permanent homes for dozens of animals at the AATPC therapy farm, Barking C.A.A.T. Ranch. Chassman Craddock has presented and trained internationally on the topic of animal-assisted psychotherapy.

Ellen Kinney Winston worked in animal welfare and mental health settings, where she noticed significant overlap in her work with both humans and animals. She envisioned bringing them together in a mutually beneficial way and was able to fulfill that dream in 2010, with the help of her rescue dog, Sasha, when she cofounded Animal Assisted Therapy Programs of Colorado (AATPC). Kinney Winston currently works as AATPC's training director, overseeing, and educating mental health professionals internationally through the organization's certificate program.