Spring 2024
- The Atlantic interviewed Dr. Rodriguez for a new article, “Pets Really Can Be Like Human Family” Read the article online here.
- New publication out March 2024: “The effects of service dogs for children with autism spectrum disorder and their caregivers: a cross-sectional study” – Read about the study in an article from The Wildest here.
- The HAB Lab has received two new grants to study the roles of full-time therapy dogs, or “Station Dogs”, in police stations. Our goal is to understand how therapy dogs may benefit officer wellness, station cohesion, and police-community relationships. This research is in collaboration with the non-profit assistance dog organization K9s For Warriors, which places Station Dogs free of cost in police and fire stations across the US. The first study is funded by the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) – read more about the funding announcement here. The second study is funded by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) in collaboration with CNA – read more about this funding announcement here.
Fall 2023
- We are so excited to welcome Adelaide Ruekgauer, who will be the HAB Lab’s new Research Coordinator. Welcome, Adi!
- Angelina Jouault, a Senior RA in the HAB Lab, graduated with her BS in Psychological Sciences in December. Congrats, Angelina!
- National Geographic interviewed Dr. Rodriguez for a new article, “Do Pets Really Make People Happier and Healthier?” Read the article online here.
- Dr. Rodriguez was a guest on the BBC Crowd Science podcast! Listen to the episode “Are Dogs Good for Us?”
- New publication out October 2023: “The Effect of Mental Activation of One’s Pet Dog on Stress Reactivity”.