Niki Vettel’s interdisciplinary academic and professional backgrounds are integral to her teaching approach as an UVM Instructor. She holds an M.A. in Communication and an M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology, and has certifications as a Grief Educator, Pet Loss Specialist, and Master Professional Life Coach. Her work as a Master group therapist with a wide variety of adult clients has informed her belief in the transformative power of groups to provide individuals with healing and agency. She is also passionate about incorporating expressive and animal-assisted therapies in support of group members’ bereavement journey.
Niki is a registered pet therapy handler, and has been an active member of Pet Partners® and Tufts Paws for People for 13 years, leading pet therapy visits with groups from hospitals, behavioral facilities, universities, corporations, and professional organizations to provide and promote wellness and stress relief. (Her therapy pet partners have all been registered guinea pigs.) She also serves on Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine’s Mental Health and Wellness Working Group.
Niki is an Instructor in UVM’s Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula program, of which she is a graduate.