Lisa Marie Petrongelli, PsyD, MSN, APRN-BC, C-AAIS

Lisa Marie Petrongelli holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and a master's degree as a family nurse practitioner. She is a certified Pet Partner pet handler and most recently earned certification as an Animal Assisted Intervention Specialist. 

Alongside this work, she founded Créme de la Creme Animal Foundation - Therapy House to counteract the inhumane treatment of animals and to bring awareness of animal assisted therapies to the community. She has been a lifelong animal lover and first began creating fictional animals in middle school transporting readers to a place where animals with endearing flaws are stronger than they look, traveling into worlds of exuberance as they win over the hearts of the reader. 

Writing a children’s book was always on her to-do list, and eventually, with Comfortable In Her Shell, it became a reality. When not absorbed in running her private mental health practice exclusively for young girls and women, Lisa makes gallant efforts (attempts!) towards the mastery of cello playing, and bareback riding on her obstinate horse. She’s known for her humorous delivery of poignant truths, her love for tackling almost any artistic project, and anything to do with willow trees. She lives in Illinois, with her family and surrounded by a multitude of animals who continue to inspire her to write whimsical and magical fables about imperfect characters finding their voice and place in the world.