Lori Ratchelous, LMSW

Lori Ratchelous, LMSW earned her MSW from UConn School of Social Work in 2000 with a focus on group work and completed a Nonprofit Management certification through UConn in May 2019. Lori came to Soul Friends in 2013 and completed a certification in animal assisted therapy through Harcum College in the fall of 2013. Shebecame COO of Soul Friends in the spring of 2019. Though recently resigned as COO, she continues to work with children providing animal assisted interventions as a high school social worker.

Lori works alongside her two Pet Partner registered therapy dogs, Nutmeg and Beau in the Wallingford school district. Lori and Nutmeg have received specialized training as K9 First Responder which assists victims of disaster, catastrophe, crisis, and violence. They serve communities and individuals as well as police, fire, EMS and other public safety personnel.