Bustad Lecture with Dr. Kerri Rodriguez

About the event

The College of Veterinary Medicine’s annual Bustad Lecture

Dr. Kerri Rodriguez is an Assistant Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at The University of Arizona, . As the director of the HAB (Human-Animal Bond) lab, her research explores the role and impacts of the human-animal bond for both human and animal well-being across a variety of settings, populations, and contexts.

TITLE: How and why do we benefit from dogs? Emerging science on the human-dog relationship

This talk will give an overview of the latest scientific research on the human-dog relationship, focusing on how positive interactions with dogs influence human health and wellbeing. We will explore studies that investigate the effects of dogs on brain function, stress hormones, emotional wellbeing, and social functioning. Through examples from research on both pet dogs and therapy dogs, the presentation will highlight key findings on how and why we may benefit from our remarkable relationships with dogs.

A reception will follow.

This lecture is the first event of our annual Veterinary Medicine Spring Conference.

Registration and Zoom info to be announced

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.