Publications

Rodriguez, K.E., Flynn, E., Gandenberger, J., Motiff, M., Morris, K.N. (2024). Challenges and opportunities in establishing the evidence base for the impact of human-animal interactions on human health and wellbeing. In Fine, A., Mueller, M., Ng, Z., Peralta, J., and Beck, A. (Eds.), Handbook on Human-Animal Interactions, Interventions and Anthrozoology.

Rodriguez, K.E. Green, F. L., Binfet, J. T., Townsend, L., & Gee, N. (2023). Complexities and considerations in conducting animal-assisted intervention research: A discussion of randomized controlled trials. Human-Animal Interactions.

Howell, T. et al. + 70 (2022). Defining commonly used terms for animals working in support for vulnerable people. Animals, 12(15), 1975. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12151975

Gee, N., Rodriguez, K.E., Fine, A. H., Trammel, J. (2021). Dogs supporting human health and wellbeing: A biopsychosocial approach. Our Canine Connection: The History, Benefits, and Future of Human-Dog Interactions, Special Issue. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 

Rodriguez K.E., Gee, N., & Herzog, H. (2020). Variability in human-animal interaction outcomes. Our Canine Connection: The History, Benefits, and Future of Human-Dog Interactions. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 

Rodriguez, K.E., Guérin, N. A., Gabriels, R. L., Serpell, J. A., Schreiner, P. J., & O’Haire, M. E. (2018). The state of assessment in human-animal interaction research. Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin, 6(Special Edition): 63-81.

Rodriguez, K. E., Graham, D. J., & Lucas-Thompson, R. G. (2023). The Effect of Mental Activation of One’s Pet Dog on Stress Reactivity. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(21), 6995.

Rodriguez, K. E., McDonald, S. E., & Brown, S. M. (2021). Relationships among Early Adversity, Positive Human and Animal Interactions, and Mental Health in Young Adults. Behavioral Sciences, 11(12), 178.

Rodriguez, K. E., Rispoli, M., Kelleher, B. L., MacLean, E. L., & O’Haire, M. E. (2024). The effects of service dogs for children with autism spectrum disorder and their caregivers: A cross-sectional study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1355970

Rodriguez, K. E., Rispoli, M., Kelleher, B., Maclean, E. M., O’Haire, M. E. (Under Review). The effects of service dogs for children with autism and their caregivers. Frontiers in Psychiatry.

Leighton, S. C., Rodriguez, K. E., Nieforth, L. O., & O’Haire, M. E. (2023). Service dogs for autistic children and family system functioning: a constant comparative analysis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14.

O’Haire, M. E., Rodriguez, K. E., Nieforth, L. O., & Mao, A. R. (2023). Companion Animals in the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder, in Gee, N. R., Townsend, L., & Findling, R. L. (Eds.) The Role of Companion Animals in the Treatment of Mental Disorders. American Psychiatric Pub.

Rodriguez, K. E.*, Guerin, N. A.*, Brodhead, M. T. & O’Haire, M. E. (2017). Assessing animal preferences in children with autism: A new use for video-based preference assessment. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 4:29. *Co-first authors

Jensen, C.L., Bibbo, J., Rodriguez, K. E., O’Haire, M. E. (2021). The effects of facility dogs on burnout, job-related well-being, and mental health in pediatric hospital professionals. Journal of Clinical Nursing.

Rodriguez, K.E., Bibbo, J., O’Haire, M.E. (2022). Perspectives on facility dogs from pediatric hospital personnel: A qualitative content analysis of patient, family, and staff outcomes. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice.

Leighton, S. C., Rodriguez, K. E., Jensen, C. L., MacLean, E. L., Baus, J. J., Ashbeck, E. L., Brown, E. L., Bedrick, E. A., Mehl, M. R., Taylor, D. J., vanMarle, K., Schwichtenber, A. J., Bedrick, E. J., & O’Haire, M. E. (2025). Sleep-wake dynamics in veteran-service dog dyads: an exploration of overnight concordance, Sleep. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsaf177

Leighton, S. C., Rodriguez, K. E., Jensen, C. L., MacLean, E. L., Davis, L. W., Ashbeck, E. L., Bedrick, E. J., & O’Haire, M. E. (2024). Service Dogs for Veterans and Military Members With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial. JAMA Network Open, 7(6), e2414686-e2414686. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.14686

Nieforth, L.O., Rodriguez, K.E., Zhuang, R., Miller, E., Sabbaghi, A., Schwichtenberg, A.J., Granger, D.A., O’Haire, M.E. (2024). Service dog partnerships and the neuroendocrine system: A 3-month clinical trial of the cortisol awakening response. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-50626-y

Leighton, S. C., Rodriguez, K. E., Zhuang, R., Jensen, C. L., Miller, E. A., Sabbaghi, A., & O’Haire, M. E. (2023). Psychiatric service dog placements are associated with better daily psychosocial functioning for military veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy.

Jensen, C. L., Rodriguez, K. E., MacLean, E. L., Abdul Wahab, A. H., Sabbaghi, A., & O’Haire, M. E. (2022). Characterizing veteran and PTSD service dog teams: Exploring potential mechanisms of symptom change and canine predictors of efficacy. Plos One, 17(7), e0269186.

Rodriguez, K. E., Anderson, L., Ott, C. & O’Haire, M. E. (2021). The effect of a service dog on medication regimens among military members and veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. Anthrozoös.

Nieforth, L.O., Rodriguez K. E., & O’Haire, M. E. (2021). Expectations versus experiences of veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) service dogs: An inductive conventional content analysis. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. 

Rodriguez, K. E., LaFollette, M. R., Hediger, K., Ogata, N. O. & O’Haire, M. E. (2020). Defining the PTSD service dog intervention: Perceived importance, usage, and symptom specificity of psychiatric service dogs for military veterans. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1638.

Jensen, C. L., Rodriguez, K. E., & O’Haire, M. E. (2020). Service dogs for veterans and military members with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Replication with the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Journal of Traumatic Stress.

McCall, C. E., Rodriguez, K. E., MacDermid Wadsworth, S. M., Meis, L. A., & O’Haire, M. E. (2020). “A part of our family”? Effects of psychiatric service dogs on quality of life and relationship functioning in military-connected couples. Military Behavioral Health, 8:4, 410-423. 

LaFollette, M. R., Rodriguez, K. E., Ogata, N., & O’Haire, M. E. (2019). Military veterans and their PTSD service dogs: Associations between training methods, PTSD severity, dog behavior, and the human-animal bond. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 6(23).

O’Haire, M. E., Jenkins, M., Rodriguez, K.E., & Tedeschi, P. (2019). The Impact of Human-Animal Interaction in Trauma Recovery. In P. Tedeschi & M. Jenkins (Eds.), Transforming trauma: Finding resiliency and healing through animals. West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Press.

Rodriguez, K. E., Bryce, C., Granger, D. & O’Haire, M. E. (2018). The effect of a service dog on the salivary cortisol awakening response in a military population with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychoneuroendocrinology, 98: 202-210.

O’Haire, M. E. & Rodriguez, K. E. (2018). Preliminary efficacy of service dogs as a complementary treatment for military veterans with PTSD. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 86(2): 179-188.

Rodriguez, K.E., Greer, J., Beck, A. & O’Haire, M.E. (2020). The effects of assistance dogs on psychosocial health and wellbeing: A systematic literature review. PLOS ONE.

Rodriguez, K.E., Bibbo, J., & O’Haire, M.E. (2020). The effects of service dogs on psychosocial health and wellbeing for individuals with physical disabilities or chronic conditions. Disability and Rehabilitation, 42(10):1350-1358.

Rodriguez, K.E., Bibbo, J., Verdon, S. & O’Haire, M.E. (2020). Mobility and medical service dogs: A qualitative analysis of expectations and experiences. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 15:5, 499-509.

Nieforth, L. O., Rodriguez, K. E., & O’Haire, M. E. (2021). Benefits and challenges of mobility and medical alert service dogs for caregivers of service dog recipients. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 1-9.

Bibbo, J., Rodriguez, K.E., & O’Haire, M.E. (2019). The impact of service dogs on family members’ psychosocial functioning. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(3): 7303205120p1-7303205120p11.