A Healthy Interest
Part of a special feature that illuminates the synergistic relationship between individuals, communities and community organizations and Memorial, with a focus on Memorial’s supporting role to community-led work.
Sept. 20, 2019 BY ROCHELLE BAKER
Dog whisperers, pet owners, neuroscientists, psychologists, veterinarians and people who work with therapy animals. They’re all members of a newly formed research exchange group, facilitated by Memorial’s Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Applied Health Research (NLCAHR), dedicated to learning how the bonds between people and animals affect the health and well-being of both.
Danielle Hogan, a clinical occupational therapist with Eastern Health, will be among them, as will Erin Gallant, a peer support counsellor and owner of Stable Life, an equine-assisted therapy program for adults with mental health and addictions issues. “I joined up to learn about the research that can inform my practice, and, hopefully, to participate in studies at the local level,” Ms. Hogan said. Ms. Gallant agrees.
"We have seen how clients build relationships with the horses and how this opens them up to making changes for their recovery. It will be great to connect with people doing similar work to find out how and why this happens.” The group is convened by Dr. Gail Wideman, associate professor, School of Social Work, and Dr. Carolyn Walsh, associate professor, Canine Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science. “By hosting groups like this one, NLCAHR encourages collaboration across all sectors, at all stages,” Dr. Wideman said. “In my view, as a researcher and community developer, the work of NLCAHR toward creating a research-ready university has been invaluable.” Participants in the process All of NLCAHR’s research exchange groups are organized around the idea that, when it comes to our health, academics are not the only experts. Welcoming people with lived experience along with health and community partners, the groups foster research that respects the diverse expertise that non-academics bring to the table. More than 1,100 members of these groups are now exploring 19 topics — including aging, autism, harm reduction, global health, palliative care and more.