Flipping the script: USask research focuses on therapy dog’s perspective

Researchers at the Pawsitive Connections Lab at the University of Saskatchewan are conducting a new study focusing on the perspective of therapy dogs while they perform their tasks. Led by Dr. Colleen Dell, the research aims to uncover how the dogs themselves feel during these therapeutic interactions, effectively flipping the traditional script of human-centric therapy animal research.

The initiative highlights a growing shift in animal-assisted interventions toward prioritizing the emotional and physical well-being of the working animals. By examining the tasks from the canine point of view, the University of Saskatchewan team seeks to better understand the experiences of therapy dogs in professional settings.