Erica Olson, paramedic and Psychological Awareness & Wellness Support (PAWS) program coordinator speaks to Gone to the Dog attendees as Delray, an accredited facility dog with the PAWS program takes a much-needed nap.
On Friday, April 26, the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine welcomed over 100 participants (including some with fur) to Corbett Hall for the first-ever 'Gone to the Dogs' symposium.
The workshop was created as a way for researchers to share findings and establish an inter-professional network to study the role of dogs in the well-being and social engagement of people with physical and social vulnerabilities.
Presentations from speakers across several disciplines, including those from ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Saskatchewan, touched on the relationship between canine and human wellness, and yes, their findings showed that our furry friends can make a positive impact on our physical, mental and social abilities!
Guest speakers for the day included:
- Keynote speaker Colleen Dell, PhD, professor, Centennial Enhancement Chair in One Health and Wellness, University of Saskatchewan, Department of Sociology and School of Public Health
- Nancy Goebel, Augustana Campus Library
- Kara Blizzard, Augustana Campus Library
- Mark Fulton, Augustana Campus Library
- Michelle Aberant, president, Pet Therapy Society of Northern ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥
- Robert Losey, PhD, associate professor, Faculty of Arts, Department of Anthropology
- Connie Varnhagen, professor, Agricultural Life and Environmental Sciences; Agricultural Food and Nutritional Science
- Eloise Carr, RN, PhD, professor, Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary
- Jean Wallace, PhD, professor, Department of Sociology, University of Calgary
- Pamela Caption, facilitator, Lending Emotional Pain and Support (LEAPS) and member, Chronic Pain Society of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥
- Teresa Paslawski, PhD, associate dean, School of Rehabilitation Science, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan
- Stephanie Belland, MacEwan University
- Judy Moench, PhD, Psychology Services Ltd. and adjunct professor, ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥
- Erica Olson, paramedic and Psychological Awareness & Wellness Support (PAWS) program coordinator, ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Health Services
- Cary Brown, PhD, professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥
- Yuluan Wang, MSc, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥