Michael’s Talk “Feeling Better and Getting Better with Photos of Dogs” explores his big idea that dogs have an important therapeutic place in our medical system.
A short supply of certified therapy dogs prevents medical facilities from offering all patients the opportunity to recover more quickly, have fewer complications and reduce the duration of their discomfort. There are just over 50,000 certified therapy dogs in the US, but they are no match against the over 36.2 million patients in U.S. hospital every year. What further burdens the supply and demand issue is that therapy dogs are also used in 60% of colleges, after school programs, long-term care facilities and hospice homes and the list goes on. Find out how our joint evolutionary journey with dogs has conditioned us to respond not only to dogs but also photos of dogs to reduce stress and increase our sense of well-being and how these insights can help patients in medical and care settings.
About Michael
An animal-loving philanthropist, Michael Puck merged his economics education and career in human resources with his lifelong passions for both dogs and photography. The unlikely combination led to the discovery of how photographs of dogs can solve some of the most pressing human challenges. Images of dogs not only break the ice but also foster trusting relationships and promote physical and mental recovery. Michael is the founder of K9Photo and the Global Dog Art Gallery, where he helps businesses leverage the benefits of the human-canine bond. Puck graduated from the German Air Force Academy. During his time in the military, he earned a degree in business and a postgraduate degree in economics. Additionally, Puck is a Senior Certified Professional with the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP), a published author, TEDx Speaker, and award-winning photographer.
