Bustad Lecture with Dr. Katy Schroeder

About the event

The College of Veterinary Medicine’s annual Bustad Lecture

Please join us for this lecture which coincides with our annual Veterinary Medicine Spring Conference.

Dr. Katy Schroeder is an associate professor in the Department of Counseling Education at the University of Iowa. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and holds certifications from PATH International as an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning and Therapeutic Riding Instructor. She currently co-directs the Human-Animal Interactions for Wellbeing Collaborative, University of Iowa Obermann Center Working Group on the Human-Animal Bond. Dr. Schroeder’s research, teaching, and clinical interests center on the intersection of human-animal interactions and mental health. Over the past decade, she has published and presented extensively on the incorporation of horse interactions in counseling, therapy horse behavior and welfare, and special topics in human-animal interactions. She also is a passionate advocate for the wellbeing of animal healthcare professionals, drawing on her mental health expertise to address compassion fatigue and burnout through education, outreach, and professional development. Some of her most recent research collaborations involved the application of Motivational Interviewing in animal shelter management, the impacts of a canine socialization interaction on military Veterans and shelter dog wellbeing, and the assessment of equine affective responses in equine-assisted services.

The Dynamics of Reciprocity: Perspective-Taking in Human–Horse Interactions and Its Impact on Well-Being

This talk will explore emerging scientific research on the human–horse relationship, underscoring the importance of understanding the horse’s perceptual experience. As equine interactions are increasingly included in human healthcare services, it is essential to understand the mechanisms that drive effective and ethical experiences for both humans and horses. Drawing on examples from research and applied practice, Dr. Schroeder will highlight how responsive engagement between species can support positive human health outcomes while also promoting improved welfare for the horses involved. We will also explore how veterinarians play a unique and essential role in this growing field, and how their expertise positions them well to be advocates for the effective care and management of horses working in healthcare spaces.

• A reception will follow.
• Register for the Lecture now.
• This lecture is the first event of our annual Veterinary Medicine Spring Conference.

The Bustad Lecture is named in honor of Dr. Leo K. Bustad (1920-1998), who was a pioneer in the field of human-animal bond research. Dr. Bustad (’49 DVM) was dean of the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine from 1973-1984. His work significantly contributed to the understanding of the changing role of companion animals in Western societies and its impact on veterinary education, veterinary medicine, and society. Read about past Bustad Lectures.