Life with Service Dogs

Life with Service Dogs” is a Canadian-based, limited series podcast that highlights the everyday challenges and triumphs service dogs and their handlers face. This podcast is informed by a research project titled “Supporting Canadian Veterans working with Service Dogs” led by Dr. Linzi Williamson (PhD, Assistant Professor in Psychology & Health Studies at USask) and an Advisory Committee consisting of Canadian Veterans and service dog trainers, providers, and researchers. This research is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA).

Life with Service Dogs is a science podcast hosted by Linzi Williamson & Grace Rath, with 19 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Linzi Williamson & Grace Rath hosts Life with Service Dogs, a science show with 19 episodes published.

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  Episode #7

  Episode 7: Integrating a service dog into your home (Part 1) - Dr. Leanne Nieforth (Researcher)

  Jun 30, 202645 min

  Podcast Description: Life with Service Dogs is a Canadian-based, limited series podcast that highlights the everyday challenges and triumphs service dogs and their handlers face. This podcast is informed by a research project titled “Supporting Canadian Veterans working with Service Dogs” led by Dr. Linzi Williamson (PhD, Assistant Professor in Psychology & Health Studies at the University of Saskatchewan) and an Advisory Committee consisting of Canadian Veterans and service dog trainers, providers, and researchers. This research is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA). This podcast is produced by host Dr. Linzi Williamson and Grace Rath (M.A., Service Dog Project Coordinator). Submitted Guest Bio: Leanne Nieforth is an Assistant Professor of Human-Animal Interaction at the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University. With a PhD in Human-Animal Interaction, a Master of Science in Communication, and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, she has a unique interdisciplinary approach to study human-animal interactions. Her rigorous research portfolio includes both quantitative and qualitative exploration, incorporating both theoretical and empirical analyses. She has applied these analyses to multiple populations of individuals and multiple species of animals. To date she has 29 peer-reviewed publications with additional publications under review at high impact journals. She has also written five book chapters and multiple extension publications focused on the human-animal bond. She is dedicated to researching evidence-based approaches for developing safe and effective interventions and experiences that foster mutually beneficial partnerships between humans and animals. Links Submitted by Guest: www.leannenieforth.com https://vet.purdue.edu/discovery/nieforth/index.php www.linkedin.com/in/leanne-nieforth-49060298 Episode Summary: In this episode, Leanne shares what led her to researching military veterans and service dogs. We discussed the realities of being researchers without military experience or needing a service dog, and the benefits of working with people with lived experience in these cases. Leanne describes the research she and her team have conducted focused on veterans' families and romantic partners, and how service dogs may affect them, and how families and romantic partners can support the veteran service dog partnership. Based on her research findings, she provides suggestions for service dog providers in terms of what would help them support veterans and their loved ones, particularly those who also live with the veteran and their service dog. We discuss challenges and benefits of having service dogs and veterans’ family homes. Leanne describes what it's like getting a service dog in the United States, which turns out to be not so different from acquiring a service dog in Canada. She also offers some suggestions for how to approach the search for a service dog or provider. To end our conversation, she shares the research she'd like to see conducted related to veterans and service dogs and shares her team's future research plans. Related Resources Bibbo, J., Rodriguez, K. E., and O’Haire, M. E. (2019). Impact of service dogs on family members’ psychosocial functioning. Am. J. Occup. Ther. 73, 1–11. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2019.031690 McCall, C.E., Rodriguez, K.E., Wadsworth, S.M.M., Meis, L.A. and O’Haire, M.E. (2020) “A Part of Our Family"? Effects of psychiatric service dogs on quality of life and relationship functioning in military-connected couples. Military Behavioural Health 8(4), 410–423. Nieforth, L.O., Abdul Wahab, A.H., Sabbaghi, A., MacDermid Wadsworth, S., Foti, D. and O’Haire, M.E. (2022b) Quantifying the emotional experiences of partners of veterans with PTSD service dogs using ecological momentary assessment. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 48, 101590. Nieforth, L. O., Craig, E. A., Behmer, V. A., MacDermid Wadsworth, S., and O’Haire, M. E. (2021). PTSD service dogs foster resilience among veterans and military families. Curr. Psychol. 42, 13207–13219. doi: 10.1007/s12144-021-01990-3 Nieforth, L. O., and Leighton, S. C. (2025). “Animal-assisted interventions for military families: a synthesis of the current evidence” in Handbook on animal-assisted therapy: Foundations and guidelines for animal-assisted interventions . eds. A. H. Fine, M. K. Mueller, Z. Y. Ng, T. C. Griffin, and P. Tedeschi. 6th ed (Elsevier, Inc), 437–447. Nieforth, L.O., Miller, E.A., Wadsworth, S.M. and O’Haire, M.E. (2021) Posttraumatic stress disorder service dogs and the wellbeing of Veteran families. European Journal of Psychotraumatology 13, (1). Rath, G., Carey, B., Williamson, L., Gibson, M., and Dell, C. A. (2022). Insight of service providers and significant others about the role of service dogs in veterans’ lives and wellness. Available at: https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/550ab7d0-3ce4-4e25-aa09-ceabd900f832/downloads/Fact%20Sheet%203.pdf?ver=1666979020385 (Accessed April 26, 2025). Whitworth, J., O’Brien, C., Wharton, T., and Scotland-Coogan, D. (2020). Understanding partner perceptions of a service dog training program for veterans with PTSD: building a bridge to trauma resiliency. Soc. Work. Ment. Health 18, 604–622. doi: 10.1080/15332985.2020.1806181 Williamson, L., Rath, G., Arisman, K., Moss, J., & Dell, C. A. (2024). The effect of service dogs on veterans' romantic partners and relationships: A preliminary mixed-methods study. Human-Animal Interactions. https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2024.0039 Williamson, L., Rath, G., & Dell, C. (2025). An exploratory investigation of psychosocial effects of service dogs on veterans’ families from the perspective of family members. Frontiers in Psychology, 29. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1574445 Linzi's Research Lab Website: https://pawsitiveconnectionslab.com/ (The views expressed in this podcast are solely of the guests and/or host.) Intro music by Evan MacDonald. All interviews featured on the podcast occurred over zoom and because of this, some sound distortions may be heard due to lagging internet connections.

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  Episode #4

  Episode 4: How do you get a service dog? (Part 2) - Christina Chandler (Dog Behaviourist & Trainer).

  Jun 30, 20261h 12m

  Podcast Description: Life with Service Dogs is a Canadian-based, limited series podcast that highlights the everyday challenges and triumphs service dogs and their handlers face. This podcast is informed by a research project titled “Supporting Canadian Veterans working with Service Dogs” led by Dr. Linzi Williamson (PhD, Assistant Professor in Psychology & Health Studies at the University of Saskatchewan) and an Advisory Committee consisting of Canadian Veterans and service dog trainers, providers, and researchers. This research is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA). This podcast is produced by host Dr. Linzi Williamson and Grace Rath (M.A., Service Dog Project Coordinator). Submitted Guest Bio: Christina Chandler has been a Professional Canine Trainer for more than 20 years and has worked with over twelve thousand dogs in both professional and personal capacities during that time. She has been active in rescue and Animal Protection, as well as in various types of dog sports and training, and completed an internship in the United States at a police and military canine training facility where she focused on training apprehension and detection canines. She is a former Service Dog handler herself, in addition to training Service Dogs for other handlers. In recent years, Christina has shifted her personal focus to the field of Behaviour Modification, and is looking forward to spending more time dedicated to this aspect of her clients' relationships with their pups! To ensure that her experience is matched by her qualifications, Christina successfully obtained a Certification in LIMA/Cynopraxis BehaviourModification practices with Steven Lindsay, and completed a Bachelors Degree in Psychology through the University of Saskatchewan. She currently owns and operates Align Canine Training Inc in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and travels frequently to see clients in surrounding areas. Link Submitted by Guest: https://www.aligncaninetraining.com/ Episode Summary: In this episode, Christina shares what led to her working with dogs and service dogs, as well as some of her early training experiences, doing dog sports, working with rescue organizations, and training with her first service dog. She outlines some indications that a service dog is an ideal option for a person with a disability, as well as some attributions that can make a dog well suited for a service dog role. She answers a common question: Are there ideal dog breeds for service dog work? She explains her approach to training with dogs, service dogs, and humans. She also highlights the importance of understanding both dog and human psychology. We discuss whether dogs like their jobs, some of the indications that suggest they likely do, signs that a dog doesn't like what they're doing, and the concept of dog enrichment. Christina offers some advice for folks who are considering the various pathways to acquiring a service dog and some factors they should consider. She also reminds folks of the importance of having to be constantly responsive to the welfare and well-being of a service dog. She shares what she hopes to see happen in the future with respect to service dog research, policy, and practice. She also shares some additional advice for prospective service dog handlers, and we discuss the concept of the dog-human bond. Finally, Christina shares her thoughts on resources for learning more about service dogs and what to consider when looking for a service dog provider and trainer. Related Resources Krause-Parello, C. A., Friedmann, E., Taber, D., Zhu, H., Quintero, A., & Yount, R. (2025). Veterans Training Service Dogs for Other Veterans: An Animal-Assisted Intervention for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Behavioral Sciences, 15(9), 1180. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091180 LaFollette, M. R., Rodriguez, K. E., Ogata, N., and O’Haire, M. E. (2019). Military veterans and their PTSD service dogs: associations between training methods, PTSD severity, dog behavior, and the human-animal bond. Front. Vet. Sci. 6:23. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00023 Salomons, H., Ferrans, M., Cusato, C., Moore, K., Woods, V., Bray, E., Kennedy, B., Block, T., Douglas, L., Roberts, A., Gruen, M., & Hare, B. (2026). Longitudinal evidence for the emergence of multiple intelligences in assistance dog puppies, Animal Behaviour, 232 , 123410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2025.123410 . Scotland-Coogan, D. (2019). Relationships, socialization and combat veterans: the impact of receiving and training a service dog. Qual. Rep. 24, 1897–1914. doi: 10.46743/2160-3715/2019.3590 Williamson, L., Squair, C., Rath, G., Khalid, A., and Kamal, M. (2025). An Environmental Scan of Service Dog Organizations, Policy, and Legislation in Canada. Available at: https://tinyurl.com/sdscan2025 Yarborough, B. J. H., Stumbo, S. P., Yarborough, M. T., Owen-Smith, A., and Green, C. A. (2018). Benefits and challenges of using service dogs for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. Psychiatr. Rehabil. J. 41, 118–124. doi: 10.1037/prj0000294 Linzi's Research Lab Website: https://pawsitiveconnectionslab.com/ (The views expressed in this podcast are solely of the guests and/or host.) Intro music by Evan MacDonald. All interviews featured on the podcast occurred over zoom and because of this, some sound distortions may be heard due to lagging internet connections.

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  Episode #18

  Episode 18: Reflecting on service dog research (Finale Episode) - Drs. Colleen Dell, Darlene Chalmers, and Linzi Williamson (Researchers).

  Jun 30, 20261h 17m

  Podcast Description: Life with Service Dogs is a Canadian-based, limited series podcast that highlights the everyday challenges and triumphs service dogs and their handlers face. This podcast is informed by a research project titled “Supporting Canadian Veterans working with Service Dogs” led by Dr. Linzi Williamson (PhD, Assistant Professor in Psychology & Health Studies at the University of Saskatchewan) and an Advisory Committee consisting of Canadian Veterans and service dog trainers, providers, and researchers. This research is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA). This podcast is produced by host Dr. Linzi Williamson and Grace Rath (M.A., Service Dog Project Coordinator). Submitted Guest Bio: Dr. Colleen Dell is a distinguished scholar and Professor in Sociology and Centennial Enhancement Chair in One Health and Wellness at the University of Saskatchewan. She is also a public sociologist and critical interdisciplinary researcher with a transdisciplinary research program, renowned for her extensive research and advocacy in Indigenous health, addiction, and community wellness. Her research program is grounded in an empowering, community-based and patient-oriented participatory approach, with both human and non-human animals. Her human research centres on healing from addictions and mental health. In this work she has addressed innovative areas in problematic substance use, ranging from horse assisted therapy for youth in addictions treatment to knowledge translation efforts addressing the role of therapy dogs in hospital emergency departments, prisons, and hospice. Dr. Dell has personally trained three full-service dogs with Audeamus Service Dogs, working closely alongside veterans and first responders to gain firsthand insight into the profound connection and rigorous training required for service dogs to effectively enhance the quality of life for individuals living with traumatic brain injuries and PTSD, and potential substance use challenges. This practical experience enriches Dr. Dell’s research and expertise, elevating her credibility and deepening her understanding of the unique needs and therapeutic benefits that service dogs provide to this population. Her hands-on involvement ensures that her academic work is grounded in real-world application, making her contributions invaluable to advancing veteran and first responder care. Links for Guest: Colleendell.com Servicedogresearch.ca Pawsitiveconnectionslab.com Submitted Guest Bio: Dr. Darlene Chalmers is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Regina. She holds certificates in Facilitated Equine Experiential Learning/Psychotherapy for Mental Health Professionals and in Pet Loss and Grief, and has served as a Saint John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program handler since 2014. Since 2008, Dr. Chalmers’ research has focused on human–animal interaction and its relevance to mental health, addiction, and substance use programming. Her work includes research on military veteran health, particularly the role of psychiatric service dogs. Her research and community engagement extend to the role of therapy dogs in provincial and federal correctional institutions and addiction treatment centres, where she has co-developed and co-delivered community-based programming. As a Therapy Dog Program handler and member of the provincial Emergency Response Unit, Dr. Chalmers has supported communities during evacuations, disasters, and public health crises. She regularly brings her therapy dogs into other community settings, including university student visits, deepening understanding of the interconnectedness of humans, animals, and the environment in promoting health and wellbeing. Dr. Chalmers has also personally trained two full-service dogs with Audeamus Service Dogs, working alongside veterans and first responders. This hands-on experience has given her invaluable insight into the profound bond and specialized training required for service dogs to support individuals living with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), operational stress injuries (OSI), PTSD, and substance use challenges. These practical experiences enrich her academic research and highlight the unique therapeutic role service dogs play in enhancing the mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing of veterans and first responders. Links for Guest: https://www.uregina.ca/social-work/directory/faculty/darlene-chalmers.html Servicedogresearch.ca Pawsitiveconnectionslab.com Submitted Guest Bio: Dr. Linzi Williamson (PhD) is an applied social psychologist and anthrozoologist who specializes in studying animal assisted services (e.g., service dogs, therapy dogs). She is an Assistant Professor in Psychology & Health Studies and, alongside Drs. Colleen Dell and Darlene Chalmers, Co-Director of the Pawsitive Connections Lab at the University of Saskatchewan. She is a Credentialed Evaluator (CE) with the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES) and Social Return on Investment Level 1 Practitioner with Social Value International (SVI). Her research program, currently funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA), centers community-based and patient-oriented research approaches alongside humans and non-human animals. Links for Guest: www.linziwilliamson.com www.pawsitiveconnectionslab.com https://surgesk.ca/our-team Linzi's TedX Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iqXY-o1atM&t=1s Episode Summary: I n this episode, Linzi, who is normally the host, is on the other side of the mic this time as a guest, and is being interviewed by her podcast producer, Grace. Linzi begins by explaining how she got to where she is today with respect to conducting research alongside veterans and service dogs. Colleen then explains how she and Darlene began conducting community-based and patient-oriented research related to veterans and service dogs. Darlene further adds to this history reflecting on the original intentions of the research and where the team actually ended up. They then share what they believe is one of the most impactful findings from their team's research to date. They reflect on their experiences participating in service dog training alongside veterans, as well as working with therapy dogs in various community settings, and what this has taught them about dogs, veterans, the human-animal bond, and patient-oriented research. Linzi then provides a definition of patient-oriented research. Darlene and Colleen add their own reflections and experiences with community-based and patient-oriented research, including efforts to involve the perspective of dogs. They then share what's next with respect to their research on service dogs and human-animal connections more broadly. They discuss a research grant that they applied for, and not long after the interview was recorded, they actually were awarded it. So, you'll hear them talking about what their hopes are with respect to co-developing a research network focused on human-animal connections. Linzi then share what she hopes to see happen with Canada's service dog industry in the future, and Colleen emphasizes the need to also ensure the perspective of the dogs are captured and prioritized in all research and practice. Related Resources Connecting for Veteran Wellness Online Course https://servicedogtoolkit.ca/#4ef40dbd-61ee-43fe-a040-6aa69da1d78f Animal Awareness for the Substance Use Workforce Online Course https://colleendell.com/animal-awareness-for-suw Being an Informed Therapy Dog Handler Online Course https://colleendell.com/online-handler-education Williamson, L., Squair, C., Rath, G., Khalid, A., and Kamal, M. (2025). An Environmental Scan of Service Dog Organizations, Policy, and Legislation in Canada. Available at: https://tinyurl.com/sdscan2025 Punch the monkey: https://www.rd.com/article/everyones-talking-about-punch-the-monkey/ Linzi's Research Lab Website: https://pawsitiveconnectionslab.com/ (The views expressed in this podcast are solely of the guests and/or host.) Music by Evan MacDonald All interviews featured on the podcast occurred over zoom and because of this, some sound distortions may be heard due to lagging internet connections.

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  Episode #17

  Episode 17: Service dog retirement and loss (Part 2) - REV. DR. "Sandy" Scott and Rae-Anne Morgan (Veteran/Service Dog Handler; Spouse).

  Jun 30, 202626 min

  Podcast Description: Life with Service Dogs is a Canadian-based, limited series podcast that highlights the everyday challenges and triumphs service dogs and their handlers face. This podcast is informed by a research project titled “Supporting Canadian Veterans working with Service Dogs” led by Dr. Linzi Williamson (PhD, Assistant Professor in Psychology & Health Studies at the University of Saskatchewan) and an Advisory Committee consisting of Canadian Veterans and service dog trainers, providers, and researchers. This research is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA). This podcast is produced by host Dr. Linzi Williamson and Grace Rath (M.A., Service Dog Project Coordinator). Submitted Guest Bio: Rae-Ann was born and raised in Saskatoon. She attended Rivier Academy in Prince Albert before completing High School. She attended Kelsey Institute, the University of Regina and received a diploma in Human Relations from McMaster University. She spent most of her career working in Calgary in HR for major companies like West Jet, Trans-Canada Pipelines, and the Co-op, among others. Meanwhile, at the same time she was raising three young men and keeping up a household. In 2014 she married Sandy Scott who at the time was working in the Canadian Army as a Chaplain. Her experience raising and training dogs gave her insight into the power of the animal human bond. After Sandy was diagnosed with severe chronic PTSD, his psychotherapist recommended he would benefit from having a service dog she worked tirelessly to find a solution. Rae-Ann made the connection between Sandy, the Canadian Service Dog Unit (CVSDU.ca) and Mandy, his first service dog. Rae-Ann has worked hard to support Sandy in his recovery and has celebrated his bond and work with Mandy and his second service dog Sophie. All the while she has supported Sandy she has worked through her own challenges such as PTSD and breast cancer. Rae-Ann is a visual artist and enjoys living on a beautiful acreage in the Ottawa valley. Submitted Guest Bio for REV. DR. RMA “Sandy” Scott MSM CD: Sandy grew up in Saskatoon and Edmonton. He graduated from the University of Alberta with a BA, and attended Vancouver School of Theology receiving a Master of Divinity Degree and a Doctor of Ministry Degree. Sandy is an ordained minister if the Presbyterian Church of Canada and has served churches in Ottawa and the valley, and in Prince Albert, SK. Sandy joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1979 as a reservist and was medically released in November 2018 after being diagnosed with PTSD and other physical injuries. He spent most of his career serving as a Reserve Force Chaplain to Army units especially the North Saskatchewan Regiment but also served with Regular Force Units such as 1 PPCLI at the BC Fires, 2 RCHA in Petawawa, 1 Svc Battalion, and Deputy Chaplain 3rd Canadian Division. Sandy deployed to Afghanistan on TFA 3-09 as chaplain to the Operational and Mentor Liaison Team and the Military Police Company in September 2009. After his deployment he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. Since he was diagnosed with PTSD in 2016, he has been working with his wife Rae-Ann to find stability, healing and hope and service dogs have helped to make that possible. Mandy, his first service dog, changed his life and supported him through treatment for his PTSD. Sophie, who he trained, is his second service dog and is a real blessing. Sandy, Rae-Ann and Sophie live on an acreage in the Ottawa Valley. Link Submitted by Guests: The dogs of postwar - Legion Magazine https://share.google/3QIOWmXgsuH1TmM0A Episode Summary: In this episode, Sandy and Rae-Anne explain what went into the decision to retire Sandy's first service dog, Mandy. They also explain how Mandy helped them train with their service dog prospect Sophie. They note some considerations when having multiple dogs in the home or working with multiple service dogs at one time as one is transitioning out of the role and the other is transitioning into it. Unfortunately, during the early days of training with Sophie, Mandy died from cancer, something Sandy describes as devastating and the worst loss of his life. Sandy and Rae-Anne explain how they experienced and managed the grief of losing Mandy. We discussed the concept of anticipatory grief related to non-human animals in our lives. Sandy and Rae-Anne share their thoughts on what folks might need in terms of support, resources, or information when faced with potentially losing a service dog, whether through retirement or death. Related Resources Bussolari, C., Currin-McCulloch, J., Packman, W., Kogan, L. R., and Erdman, P. (2024). The loss of a service dog through death: experiences of partners. Illn. Crisis Loss 32, 80–94. doi: 10.1177/10541373221113336 Gibson, M., Chalmers, D., and Ru, R. (2022). “My lifeline is gone”: an exploration of the experiences of veterans following the loss of their psychiatric service dog(s). Hum. Anim. Interact. Bull. 11, 54-74. doi: 10.1079/hai.2022.0009 Gray, S., Emmerson, D., Thomson, Z., Veggel, N. van, & Engward, H. (2024). Preparing for Assistance Dog Retirement: What do we currently know about the retirement of assistance dogs? SocArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/6v9gs Kogan, L. R., Packman, W., Currin-McCulloch, J., Bussolari, C., and Erdman, P. (2023). The loss of a service dog through death or retirement: experiences and impact on partners. Illn. Crisis Loss 31, 244–270. doi: 10.1177/10541373211054168 Salmon, A. J., Harpur, P., & Pachana, N. A. (2025). Attitudes and arrangements: owner predictions of growing older with an assistance dog. Disability & Society, 40(4), 1127–1131. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2024.2373762 Salmon AJ, Pachana NA. Cultivating the Acceptance of Assistance Dogs in Aged Care through Deliberative Democracy. Animals (Basel). 2023 Aug 20;13(16):2680. doi: 10.3390/ani13162680. van Veggel, N., Emmerson, D., Gray, S., Thomson, Z., & Engward, H. (2024). Preparing for Assistance Dog Retirement - Final project summary (p. 16). Chelmsford: Anglia Ruskin University. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.27002770.v1 Linzi's Research Lab Website: https://pawsitiveconnectionslab.com/ (The views expressed in this podcast are solely of the guests and/or host.) Music by Evan MacDonald All interviews featured on the podcast occurred over zoom and because of this, some sound distortions may be heard due to lagging internet connections.

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  Episode #1

  Episode 1: What is a service dog and who are they ideally for? (Part 1) - Dr. Sarah Leighton (Researcher)

  Jun 30, 202654 min

  Podcast Description: Life with Service Dogs is a Canadian-based, limited series podcast that highlights the everyday challenges and triumphs service dogs and their handlers face. This podcast is informed by a research project titled “Supporting Canadian Veterans working with Service Dogs” led by Dr. Linzi Williamson (PhD, Assistant Professor in Psychology & Health Studies at the University of Saskatchewan) and an Advisory Committee consisting of Canadian Veterans and service dog trainers, providers, and researchers. This research is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA). This podcast is produced by host Dr. Linzi Williamson and Grace Rath (M.A., Service Dog Project Coordinator). Submitted Guest Bio: Dr. Sarah Leighton is a Research Scientist in the OHAIRE Lab at the University of Arizona and a scholar–practitioner focused on service dog partnerships for people with disabilities. She brings over 15 years of experience across service dog training, client services, and veteran partnerships, including more than a decade with Canine Companions supporting service dog training and placements. Her research bridges science and real-world practice to improve access to high-quality service dog programs. She is the 2024 recipient of the American Psychological Association Award for Distinguished Graduate Student in Professional Psychology. Resources/Links Submitted by Guest: Website: www.sarahleighton.com LinkedIn: Sarah Leighton Website: www.humananimalinteraction.org LinkedIn: Center for Human-Animal Wellness Research Facebook: Center for Human-Animal Wellness Research Instagram: @human_animal_wellness Episode Summary: In this episode, Sarah shares what led to her researching service dogs and her current focus on veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder who are partnered with service dogs. She provides a definition of service or assistance dogs and describes some of the different subtypes based on the kind of support they provide people with disabilities. She explains why dogs are the most common type of service animal and why might someone consider working with one. We discuss aspects of human and service dog partnerships and the service dog environment that folks should consider when starting the service dog acquisition process specific to the region they live in. We also compare the service dog context within the United States, where Sarah is based, to other world regions. We also discuss the issue of what's sometimes called “fraudulent” service dogs and what's at stake for both humans and dogs when a highly trained and or certified service dog is attacked by a not highly trained dog. We discuss the importance of educating people on service dogs and animal welfare more broadly. And Sarah outlines the current evidence on service dogs and veterans, as well as highlights the importance of research and how it complements the anecdotal evidence and numerous stories about the benefits and challenges of service dogs for people with disabilities. Sarah also outlines what it means to consider both ends of the leash. She also outlines what future research is required on service dogs and what's next for her and her team. We discuss the importance of researchers working with lived experience advisory committees and panels and even engaging in service dog training opportunities. And finally, we discuss the value of acquiring funding to conduct varying lines of research related to veterans and service dogs. Related Resources Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers (CAPDT). (2021). Considerations for the Use and Training of Service Dogs in Canada: Information for dog trainers and people with disabilities, including their support teams and service/care providers. https://capdt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Draft-Report-to-CAPDT-on-Service-Dogs-March-29-2021.pdf Crowe, T. K., Sánchez, V., Howard, A., Western, B., and Barger, S. (2018). Veterans transitioning from isolation to integration: a look at veteran/service dog partnerships. Disabil. Rehabil. 40, 2953–2961. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2017.1363301 Krause-Parello, C. A., and Morales, K. A. (2018). Military veterans and service dogs: a qualitative inquiry using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Anthrozoös 31, 61–75. doi: 10.1080/08927936.2018.1406201 Pierce, K. L., & Dreschel, N. A. (2023). Service dogs: A scoping review of interdisciplinary research. People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 6 (1). https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/paij/vol6/iss1/10 Ramirez J, Marsteller J, Gallo J, Bowie J, Morlock L, et al. Enhancing PTSD Management in Veterans: A Longitudinal Study of the Therapeutic Role of Psychiatric Service Dogs. J Arch Mil Med. 2025; 13(1): e159871. https://doi.org/10.5812/jamm-159871 . Rodriguez, K. E., LaFollette, M. R., Hediger, K., Ogata, N., and O’Haire, M. E. (2020b). Defining the PTSD service dog intervention: perceived importance, usage, and symptom specificity of psychiatric service dogs for military veterans. Front. Psychol. 11:1638. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01638 Taylor, M. F., Edwards, M. E., and Pooley, J. A. (2013). “Nudging them Back to reality”: toward a growing public acceptance of the role dogs fulfill in ameliorating contemporary veterans’ PTSD symptoms. Anthrozoös 26, 593–611. doi: 10.2752/175303713X13795775535896 Warda, T. (2025). Paws and reflect: Defining an assistance dog tasks. Trace: Journal for Human-Animal Studies, 12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.23984/fjhas.147388 Williamson, L. E., Dell, C. A., Osgood, N., Chalmers, D., Lohnes, C., Carleton, R. N., & Asmundson, G. (2021). Examining changes in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and substance use among a sample of Canadian veterans working with service dogs: An exploratory longitudinal study. Journal of Veterans Studies, 7 (1), 1-13. http://doi.org/10.21061/jvs.v7i1.194 Linzi's Research Lab Website: https://pawsitiveconnectionslab.com/ (The views expressed in this podcast are solely of the guests and/or host.) Intro music by Evan MacDonald. All interviews featured on the podcast occurred over zoom and because of this, some sound distortions may be heard due to lagging internet connections.

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