Megan Kiely Mueller, a psychologist at Tufts University, will break down the effect of the human‑animal bond and animal-assisted interventions on adolescents and family at 4 p.m. Friday, March 25, in ADBF 1002.
Mueller is the distinguished lecturer at the 2022 Bustad Lecture, presented at no cost to the public by the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Mueller is co‑director of the Tufts Institute for Human‑Animal Interaction at Tufts University where her research focuses on whether human‑animal interaction can support youth with social anxiety and help children thrive.
By understanding when and how companion animals contribute to family systems, Mueller could provide critical information for practitioners and policymakers about how to design interventions and programs that will support human and animal health and well‑being.
The Bustad Lecture is an annual honor of late veterinarian and longtime WSU College of Veterinary Medicine dean Dr. Leo Bustad, known for his research on the human‑animal bond.
