About us
PADA was first developed by
ICofA - International Community of Anthrozoology
ICofA used the test as a tool for screening animals for work in animal assisted interventions. The test has then gone on to become a research project in collaboration with researchers from Hungary and Ádám Miklósi - one of the leading researchers on behavior in dogs.
Now the PADA tests has grown to a broader audience and we can now also offer international certification courses to become new PADA evaluators. PADA is still growing rapidly and tests for horses and farm animals is coming.
PADA - ICofA knowledge base:
We are proud to have such a distinguished panel of experts that contribute with their extensive knowledge in the various fields of animal behavior and cognition. They are vital to ensuring the highest quality and standards are followed and further developed.
Line Sandstedt
President of ICofA
She is a lector in science and a postgraduate in special needs education and coaching. Sandstedt is also a dog behaviourist and dog trainer, and screen dogs personality for AAI. Sandstedt gives courses in dog training both nationally and internationally. She is responsible for all of the education given by Dyrebar Omsorg, both dog training and training of human-animal teams. Line has worked for the organization since 2006.
Christine Olsen
Vice president and Manager
dr Christine Olsen has a master degree in ethology, higher education in special needs education and rehabilitation, and a PhD in public health focusing on animal-assisted interventions. Her research is frequently cited and is rated in the top 10% of all research outputs ever tracked by Almetric. Dr. Olsen is also a dog behaviorist and dog trainer, and screens dogs personality around the Europe. She travels with her lectures about AAI, dog mental test and animal welfare as a speaker on international conferences.
Tahira Tarquini
Public Relations and Marketing
Tahira is the owner of the company Flow Coaching & Training in which she offers educational material within AAI. She is educated in Animal Husbandry, Equine Business and Economics and Positive Psychology. She also specialised in (Systemic) Coaching, following Dog and Horse Assisted Coaching courses, besides following several courses within AAI and dog behavior, including the PADA Evaluator course (for which she will give exams soon). She is also active in the Erasmus+ sector as a project coordinator and project facilitator.
