Michelle A. Rivera Animal Expert Education A.A, Paralegal Studies, Palm Beach State College Introduction Wrote six books about the human-dog connectionFounded and ran Animals 101, Inc. between 2001 and 2013Served on the board of directors for the Association of Professional Humane EducatorsWorked as an Animal Cruelty Humane Officer at the Safe Harbor Animal Rescue and as a Humane Education Director at Peggy Adams Animal Rescue Experience Michelle A. Rivera is a former writer for ThoughtCo who covered the topics of animal well-being, animal cruelty, and the human-animal connection. She is a lifelong advocate for animal well-being and is a Florida-certified animal cruelty officer. Michelle works with several shelters and animal welfare organizations, including the Safe Harbor Animal Rescue. Michelle is the founder of Animals 101, Inc., a business which she ran between 2001 and 2013. The company provided education at schools and other location and encourage the humane treatment of animals. She has worked with schools throughout the South Florida area.Michelle wrote many books about dogs and the services and comfort they provide humans. Her writing includes Don't Give Up That Dog!: Dealing With Dog Allergies (Amazon Digital, 2017) and On Dogs and Dying: Inspirational Stories from Hospice Hounds, (Purdue Univ. Press, 2010). Education Michelle Rivers has an Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies from Palm Beach State College and is a state-certified cruelty officer. Awards and PublicationsHospice Hounds: Animals and Healing at the Borders of Death, (Lantern Books, 2001)Canines in the Classroom: Raising Humane Children Through Interactions With Animals, (Lantern Books, 2004)The Simple Little Vegan Dog Book, (Book Pub. Co, 2009)On Dogs and Dying: Inspirational Stories from Hospice Hounds, (Purdue Univ. Press, 2010)Do Dogs Have Belly Buttons? Answers to the 100 Most Commonly Asked Canine Questions, (Adams Media, 2007)Don't Give Up That Dog!: Dealing With Dog Allergies (Amazon Digital, 2017) ThoughtCo and Dotdash Meredith ThoughtCo, a Dotdash Meredith brand, is an award-winning reference site offering education content created by experts. ThoughtCo reaches 13 million readers each month. Learn more about us and our editorial guidelines.