Exploring the Role of Therapy Animals in Mental Health Treatment with Dr. Colleen Dell

RESOLVing Violence

Register NOW for the Animal Awareness for the Substance Use Workforce course.

Learn about the transformative power of therapy dogs, service animals, emotional support animals, and our own companion animals in this one-of-a-kind, 5-hour, on-line course offered by the PAWSitive Connections Lab at the University of Saskatchewan.

You will receive a continuing education digital badge/certificate from the University of Saskatchewan and pre-approved continuing education credit is available from organizations.

This course is ideal for substance use and mental health, social service, and allied professionals interested in enhancing their practice with animal aware approaches. It is also suitable for anyone interested in understanding their own relationships with animals.

The cost is $49 and subsidies are available. Click HERE to learn more and register.

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In this episode of Resolving Violence we delve into the intriguing world of animal-assisted therapy with Dr. Colleen Dell. Dr. Dell, an animal therapy researcher and practitioner, shares her extensive experience and insights on how therapy animals contribute to mental health and addiction treatments. The conversation uncovers the specific roles and classifications of therapy animals, the meticulous care needed to ensure their well-being, and the profound impact of these animals on the individuals they assist.
In this episode:
- Discover the surprising distinctions between therapy dogs, service dogs, and emotional support animals.
- Learn about the groundbreaking work being done in correctional facilities using therapy dogs.
- Find out how to ethically incorporate animals into therapeutic settings and ensure their welfare.
About the Guest: Dr. Colleen Dell

Dr. Colleen Dell is a renowned animal therapy researcher and practitioner, specializing in mental health and addictions treatment. She holds the position of Research Chair in Sociology at the University of Saskatchewan's School of Public Health and serves as a Senior Research Associate with the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction.
As the co-director of the Positive Connections Lab, Dr. Dell has dedicated her work to exploring and strengthening the human-animal bond. She collaborates closely with both community and academic partners to investigate how interactions with animals can enhance wellness for individuals, communities, and the animals themselves.
Dr. Dell's research integrates an empowering community-based and patient-oriented participatory approach, involving various projects in correctional facilities and healthcare settings. Her groundbreaking work in animal-assisted interventions includes diverse activities such as animal-assisted treatment, education programs, and support programs. Dr. Dell's commitment to animal welfare ensures that each therapy dog is treated as a valued team member, not merely a tool.
Beyond her research, Dr. Dell is an advocate for incorporating the human-animal bond into broader wellness and recovery initiatives, creating innovative educational resources for the substance use and mental health workforce.
Her work not only advances scientific understanding but also provides practical frameworks for integrating therapy animals into therapeutic settings, further underlining the profound positive impacts these bonds can have on human health and well-being.

To learn more about Resolve SK, head to research-groups.usask.ca/resolve/