Kerri Rodriguez

Assistant Professor, Psychology
Assistant Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine (Primary Title)

Research Interests:

  • Bi-directional effects of human-animal interactions on human and canine health and wellbeing.
  •  Roles of assistance dogs, therapy dogs, and pet dogs for individuals with disabilities or mental health conditions.
  • Psychophysiological mechanisms underlying positive human-dog interactions.
  • Roles and impacts of the human-animal bond for human and animal health and wellbeing across a variety of settings, populations, and contexts.

Updated: 08/29/23

Selected Publications:

  • Rodriguez, K.E.Bibbo. J., & O'Haire, M.E. (2022). Perspectives on facility dogs from pediatric hospital personnel: A qualitative content analysis of patient, family, and staff outcomes. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 46, 101534. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101534  
  • Rodriguez K.E., Gee, N., & Herzog, H. (2021). Variability in human-animal interaction outcomes. Our Canine Connection: The History, Benefits, and Future of Human-Dog Interactions. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7:1207. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.619600  
  • Rodriguez, K.E., Greer, J., Beck, A. & O'Haire, M.E. (2020). The effects of assistance dogs on psychosocial health and wellbeing: A systematic literature review. PloS one, 15:12, e0243302. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0243302  
  • Rodriguez, K.E., LaFollette, M.R., Hediger, K., Ogata, N.O. & O'Haire, M.E. (2020). Defining the PTSD service dog intervention: Perceived importance, usage, and symptom specificity of psychiatric service dogs for military veterans. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1638. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01638
  • Rodriguez, K.E., Bryce, C., Granger, D. & O'Haire, M.E. (2018). The effect of a service dog on the salivary cortisol awakening response in a military population with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychoneuroendocrinology, 98: 202-210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.04.026 

Updated: 10/04/23

Degree(s)

  • B.S. Evolutionary Anthropology & Biology, Duke University
  • M.S. Marine Mammal Science, University of St Andrews
  • Ph.D. Human-Animal Interaction, Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University