A University of Saskatchewan (U of S) researcher is leading a study into how the bond between people and animals can shape health and well-being. Colleen Dell, a U of S professor and founder of the PAWSitive Connections Lab, says animals can provide support, comfort and connection that people may not find elsewhere. “If we took mental health or addiction, there may be stigma the person is feeling connected to, and they’re not with the animal,” Dell said in an interview with CTV News. She says therapy dogs can also remind people of pets they grew up with, bringing back feelings of comfort and connection. Dell has been studying the human-animal connection for years and says the pandemic strengthened many people’s relationships with animals as they turned to them for support. “We are seeing therapy dogs in the community. We’re adopting more pets into our homes,” she said. “The research has to catch up with that.” Now, with a $2.5 million federal grant over five years, Dell is expanding her research and teaming up with national and international partners to better understand how people and animals affect each other’s health and well-being. She says therapy dogs will visit a variety of facilities, where researchers will interview and survey participants and use creative methods to better understand the impact of those interactions. “We will have dog behaviourists, people who understand the slightest little change in their demeanour and what it’s saying,” she said. Dell says a key part of the project will be asking questions that matter most to community partners. Wendi Stoeber, with the St. John’s Ambulance Therapy Dog Program, says the research will help therapy dog handlers better understand their dogs’ experiences. “As therapy dog handlers, we kind of think that we know and have a good handle on what our dogs are feeling and their needs,” Stoeber said. “But we don’t really know that for sure. We’re just guessing that we’re doing it right.” The project will bring together researchers from a range of fields. Mackenzie McKeown, a U of S postdoctoral research fellow specializing in transportation safety, will study the benefits and challenges of companion animals for people who spend long periods on the road, including long-haul truck drivers. “There’s obviously a lot of benefits to the truck driver and having an animal that can help with their physical activity, their mental health. But there’s also going to be challenges that accompany working with a companion animal like emergency veterinary access,” McKeown said. Another researcher is examining whether therapy dog sessions can be delivered effectively online. Master’s student Brianne Morris says therapy dog programs expanded into virtual settings during the pandemic through platforms such as Zoom and Instagram Live. “My research is going to be trying to measure how a virtual session impacts students’ well-being compared to an in-person session to improve accessibility for remote students or students who are maybe cautious or scared of interacting with dogs in person,” Morris said. The researchers hope the findings will help shape future therapy dog programs while building a better understanding of the connections between people and animals.
