Alexa Martinez is currently a junior at Florida Atlantic University, pursuing a degree in psychology and earning a certificate in Applied Mental Health Services. With a strong passion for mental health advocacy, her academic and professional interests center around trauma, resilience, and recovery—especially within underserved and vulnerable populations. As a Research Assistant for Canines Providing Assistance to Wounded Warriors, Alexa is deeply engaged in exploring how animal-assisted interventions can be used to support emotional healing and enhance the quality of life for veterans and military personnel. She is particularly drawn to the human-animal bond as a unique therapeutic tool in trauma-informed care—a connection she personally appreciates through her own Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Mila.