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On April 25, Associate Professor of Clinical Practice Kerry Mitchell welcomed the 鈥攁 non-profit that provides a community of support for people adversely affected by addiction鈥攁nd Boston Bulldogs President and Founder Mike Ferullo, MSW 鈥�82, to his class, 鈥淎dvanced Clinical Skills with Adults: Assessment, Intervention, and Evidence-Based Practice.鈥� Mitchell coordinated the visit to correspond with his unit on substance abuse.

鈥淚 believe the best way to teach clinical practice is to show examples from my own clinical practice,鈥� says Mitchell. In his practice, he often refers patients who are dealing with addiction or have a family member struggling with it to Ferullo, a clinical social worker who specializes in treating individuals and families coping with addiction.

Ferullo鈥檚 personal struggle with addiction began when he was 15 years old. He credits running and the support of a community of runners as central to his own recovery and continued wellness. 鈥淩unning is all about showing up and sticking with it, self-leadership principles. And then, there鈥檚 the authentic connection to others in the group as well as to ourselves,鈥� says Ferullo. 鈥淧eople heal when they feel safe, supported, and non-judged. And that鈥檚 how we operate.鈥�

, the go-to monthly magazine for all things related to running, recently profiled 鈥淐oach,鈥� the moniker given to Ferullo by Boston Bulldogs members, and described how he incorporates running into his approach to wellness. 鈥淎ddicts gravitate to something that feels good immediately, so I tell them 鈥榞o on a run instead.鈥欌��

Mitchell invited the Boston Bulldogs to speak to his class with a specific aim in mind. 鈥淎s a teacher,鈥� he says, 鈥渋t is important to me that the substance abuse segment of my course is impactful. While social work professionals value evidence-based interventions, I want my students to see a successful program at the case study level of evidence. Fifteen years from now, the positive role of running in recovery will likely be considered best-practice.鈥�

The Boston Bulldogs host weekly group runs in Chestnut Hill, Plymouth, Scituate, and South Boston for runners of all levels鈥攆rom first-timers to those who have completed marathons. Participants include people struggling with addiction and who are in recovery, their family and friends, and members of the clinical community.

The club鈥檚 integrated approach to wellness is based upon the principles of self-leadership, transparency, and giving back. It offers running buddies, wellness mentors, and a for members who want to set wellness goals and mentor others.