HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND
I’ve always been an avid dog lover. When I was younger, my dad, Michael, helped foster this love by teaching me about different dog breeds and together we trained our beloved family companion, Nill, a pure-bred Airedale Terrier. I held out on adopting my own pup for the longest time, waiting for conditions to be just right. Somehow that ended up being May 2020, right at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, when I found Steve, the incredible Australian Cattle Dog that stole my heart.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine blending my love of dogs and research, but somehow, it has all come together. First, with Dr. Colleen Dell and her Office of One Health & Wellness at the University of Saskatchewan, I began to examine how the human-animal bond (HAB) provides positive benefits for both humans and dogs. Now, with Drs. Dell and Darlene Chalmers and our Pawsitive Connections Lab we are focused on exploring interactions between animals and people and place particular emphasis on the potential power of the connection between animals and humans for individuals recovering from addiction and mental health. From companion dogs to therapy and service dogs, the research potential is seemingly endless and continues to captivate me.
(AUDEAMUS, Inc. Service Dog Training Photo by Bronwyn Edwards)
(PAWSitive Support Program Therapy Dogs at the Regional Psychiatric Centre in Saskatoon)
PUBLICATIONS
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
Williamson, L., Tetreault, C., Rath, G., Chandler, C., & Dell, C. (2025). Development of a Standardized Scale Measuring Public Beliefs and Knowledge About Service Dogs. Anthrozoös. https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2025.2529682
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
Gibson, M., Williamson, L., & Dell, C. A. (2023). Insights into Canadians’ perceptions of service dogs in public spaces. Animals, 13(19), 3091. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13193091
Williamson, L., Pelletier, D., de Groot, P., Gibson, M., Moss, J., & Dell, C. A. (2023). Stigma and Stereotyping of Veterans Who May Benefit from a Psychiatric Service Dog: A Test of the Stereotype Content Model and Weiner’s Attribution-Affect-Action Model. Journal of Veterans Studies, 9(2), 41–57. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21061/jvs.v9i2.411
Fletcher-Hildebrand, S., Williamson, L., Lawson, K., & Dell, C. (2023). Remotely and collaboratively evaluating a campus-based therapy dog program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Evaluation and Program Planning. doi.10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2023.102239
Scheck, H., Williamson, L., & Dell, C. (2022). Understanding forensic psychiatric patients’ experience of virtual animal-assisted therapy sessions during the COVID-19 pandemic. People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 5(1), 1-8.
Dell, C. A., Williamson, L., McKenzie, H., Mela, M., Akca, D., Cruz, M., Ramsum, T., Sultana, S., Camacho Soto, N., & Mostafa, K. (2022). Conducting patient oriented research (POR) in a forensic psychiatric facility: A case study of patient involvement. International Journal of Forensic Mental Health. DOI: 10.1080/14999013.2022.2080305
Dell, C. A., Gibson, M., Carey, B., Peachey, S., McKenzie, H., Williamson, L., & Chalmers, D. (2022). Therapy dogs aid the environment of a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for patients with needle fear. Canadian Nurse.
Williamson, L., Dell, C., Chalmers, D., Cruz, M., & De Groot, P. (2021). Strengthening Zooeyia: Understanding the Human-Animal Bond between Veterans Living with Comorbid Substance Use and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and their Service Dogs. Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin, 10(2), 20-47.
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
Dell, C., Williamson, L., McKenzie, H., Carey, B., Cruz, M., Gibson, M., & Pavelich, A. (2021). Transitioning a therapy dog program online during the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons learned. Animals, 11(3), 914. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030914
Gibson, M., Williamson, L., Henwood, G., & Dell, C. (2021). Perceptions and Use of Alcohol and Medical Cannabis among Canadian Military Veterans Living with PTSD. Journal of Veterans Studies, 7(1), 59-70. http://doi.org/10.21061/jvs.v7i1.200
WEB-BASED PUBLICATIONS
2025 Williamson, L., Squair, C., Rath, G., Khalid, A., & Kamal, M. An Environmental Scan of Service Dog Organizations, Policy, and Legislation in Canada (2024).
2022 Dell, C. A., McKenzie, H., Williamson, L., Kubes, K., Buhr, E., Agar, B., Beaupre, C., Arisman, K., Gibson, M., Khalid, A., Carey, B., & Zink, B. Saskatoon pet-friendly rental housing guide. Paws in Places.
2022 Williamson, L., Khalid, A., & Kamal, M. An Environmental Scan of Canadian Service Dog Organization Websites.
2022 Williamson, L., McKenzie, H., Carey, B., & Dell, C. A. Western College of Veterinary Medicine “Animals in the Workplace” Draft Policy Review 2021
2021 Blogpost: Companion animals and consent.
2021 Blogpost: “Ditch the walks”: Introducing the world of canine enrichment.
2021 Blogpost: Deciding if therapy dog work is right for you and your dog.
2020 Dell, C. & Williamson, L., Canadian Centre on Substance Use & Addiction, Mental Health Commission of Canada. Fact Sheet: How Animals Can Help with Stress, Anxiety and Substance Use During COVID-19.
AWARDS AND HONORS
2024 Winner, CBC Saskatchewan Future 40, https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6415424
2024 Nominee, Emerging Community-Based Research (CBR) Canada Excellence Award
2023 Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for Service to Saskatchewan in the field of Research and Health Care
2022 St. John Ambulance Provincial (SK) Certificate of Thanks for Service to the Community and St. John Ambulance, as a member of the PAWS Your Stress Therapy Dog Research Team during the COVID-19 pandemic
2021 First Place Award, 3-Minute Postdoc (3MP) Competition, College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, University of Saskatchewan
2019 The Paul Fox Memorial Educational Fund, AUDEAMUS, Inc., Ottawa, Ontario
grants and fellowships
Dell, C. A. (PI, Director), Williamson, L. (Co-PI & Co-Director), & Chalmers, D. (Co-PI & Co-Director), Wu, G. (Co-PI & Co-Director), Carver, L. F. (Co-PI & Co-Director), Gillet, J. (Co-PI & Co-Director), Grant, L. (Co-PI & Co-Director). McGinnis, A. (Co-PI & Co-Director), Woodsworth, J (Co-PI & Co-Director), & Jenkins, N. (Co-PI & Co-Director). (June 2025). Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Partnership Grant Round 1 Award ($25,000 for 5 months).
Williamson, L. (2025). DARE Undergrad Training and Mentorship Award ($6000 over four months).
Williamson, L. (2025). DARE Undergrad Training and Mentorship Award ($6000 over four months).
Williamson, L., Dell, C., A., Chalmers, D., & Ayotunde, L. (2024 – 2026) Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Insight Development Grant (IDG) ($69,987 over two years).
Williamson, L. (2024). DARE Undergrad Training and Mentorship Award ($6000 over four months).
Williamson, L. (2023 – 2026). Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Patient-Oriented Research Transition to Leadership Phase 2 Awardee in partnership with the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) ($685,146 over three years)
2022 Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA). Gone to the Dogs to Learn How to Support Substance Use Health: An evidence-based awareness raising campaign for service providers to learn about the potential beneficial role of companion animals in their clients’ substance use health ($18,600).
2022 MARS Petcare/Royal Canin. Pets in Places: Housing Rental Pet Policy Review ($30,000).
2021 MARS Petcare/Royal Canin. Pets in Places: Barriers and Solutions to Pets on the USask Campus ($16,000).
2020 Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation, Research Connections COVID-19 Rapid Response ($4800)
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
2021 Dell, C., Williamson, L., Gibson, M., & Pavelich, A. (November 23-25). The varied helping roles of service dogs in the recovery journeys of veterans diagnosed with PTSD & substance use disorder. The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) Issues of Substance 2021 conference. Virtual format.
ACADEMIC CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Williamson, L., & Rath, G. (June 19-22, 2025). The importance of patient-oriented research in a research project supporting Canadian veterans working with service dogs. International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ) Annual Conference, Saskatoon, SK.
De Groot, P., Williamson, L., Dell, C., & Carey, B. (April 11-12, 2025). PAWS for progress: The practical impacts of animal-assisted service research. Saskatchewan SPCA Gathering for Animal & Human Welfare. Dakota Dunes Resort, Saskatchewan.
Squair, C. (presenter), & Williamson, L. (November 19, 2024). The Consequences of Limited Regulations for Service Dogs in Canada. Anthrozoology as International Practice (AIP) (virtual) Conference.
Dixon, A. (presenter), & Williamson, L. (October 21, 2024). Canadians’ experiences managing public and private spaces with a service dog. Society for Companion Animal Studies Annual (virtual) Conference.
Squair, C. (presenter), & Williamson, L. (October 21, 2024). An environmental scan of Canadian service dog organization websites. Society for Companion Animal Studies Annual (virtual) Conference.
Rath, G. (presenter) & Williamson, L. (June 27-30, 2024). Recognizing the impact of having a service dog on the romantic relationship between veterans with PTSD and their romantic partners. International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ) Annual Conference, Hartpury, UK.
Rath, G. (presenter) & Williamson, L. (June 27-30, 2024). The positive impacts of integrating a service dog into the family home of military veterans with PTSD: Perspectives from veterans’ romantic partners. International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ) Annual Conference, Hartpury, UK.
Dell, C. A. (presenter), Williamson, L., Tetreault, C., Mousavian, G., Pavelich, A., Roma, R., Rath, G. (June 22-25, 2024). Unleashing Understanding: Developing a Reciprocal Canine-Human Bond Scale to Enhance Relationships and Wellbeing. CALAS/ACSAL Annual Symposium in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Dell, C.A. (presenter), *Lohnes, C. (presenter), Dell, D. (presenter), Chalmers, D., Gibson, M., Rath, G., & Williamson, L. (January 3-6, 2024). Unleashing Potential: Developing Educational Programs for Service Dog Handlers and Trainers. The Hawaii International Conference on Education, Waikoloa, Hawaii.
2023 Rath, G. (presenter), Lohnes, C., Williamson, L., Dell, C., Chalmers, D & Gibson, M. (October 17th). Audeamus Service Dogs and University of Saskatchewan Research Partnership and Outcomes. International Working Dog Conference, Fort Collins, CO.
2023 Raschke, S., Rath, G. (presenter), Lohnes, C, Williamson, L., Dell, C., Chalmers, D. (October 17th ). Audeamus PTSD Service Dogs, A CAC Accredited Peer-Support Model for Veterans and First Responders. International Working Dog Conference, Fort Collins, CO.
2023 Khalid, A. (presenter), Williamson, L., & Dell, CA. (June 15-18). An Environmental Scan of Canadian Service Dog Organization Websites. ISAZ 2023 Anthrozoology: The Spectrum of Human-Animal Interactions and Relationships. Edinburg, Scotland.
2021 Williamson, L. (November 16-18). Strategies for engaging patient-oriented research advisory committees: A case study involving Veterans and Service Dogs. Saskatchewan Health Research Showcase, Virtual Platform.
2021 Williamson, L., Rath, G., & Dell, C. (October 10-14). Examining the role of significant others in canine welfare within the context of veterans working with service dogs. International Working Dog Conference (IWDC), Virtual Platform.
2021 Rath, G. (presenter), Williamson, L., & Dell, C. (September 15). Considering canine welfare among service dogs paired with Veterans. Human-Animal Interaction Student Session, Virtual Platform.
2021 Rath, G. (presenter), Williamson, L., & Dell, C. (August 12-14). Considering canine welfare among service dogs paired with Veterans. Human-Animal Interaction Section of the American Psychological Association Annual Conference, Virtual Platform.
2021 Williamson, L., Dell, C., Carey, B., Pavelich, A., McKenzie, H., Gibson, M., & Cruz, M. (June 22). Online therapy dog programming: What’s in it for the dog? International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ) Conference, Virtual Platform.
2021 Dell, C., Williamson, L., McKenzie, H., Carey, B., Cruz, M., Gibson, M., & Fletcher-Hildebrand, S. (May 31-June 4). Online therapy dog programming: Ethical considerations. Canadian Sociological Association (CSA) Conference, Virtual Platform.
2021 Fletcher-Hildebrand, S., & Williamson, L. (May 10-13). “PAWS Your Evaluation Efforts”: Creating and refining an online campus-based therapy dog program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Canadian Evaluation Society, Virtual Platform.
2021 Williamson, L. (May 10-13). Causality vs contribution; How should we evaluate a service dog organization serving Canadian Veterans with PTSD? Canadian Evaluation Society, Virtual Platform.
2020 Carey, B. (presenter), Dell, C., Williamson, L., Pavelich, A., McKenzie, H., Gibson, M., & Cruz, M. (December 9-10). “Transitioning a Therapy Dog Program Online during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned.” Virtual Solutions for Substance Use Care Conference. University of British Columbia.
2020 Dell, C., Chalmers, D., Williamson, L., & Gibson, M. (November 24). The Impact of Service Dogs on Veterans’ PTSD Symptoms and Substance Use: Project Update. Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, Conservative Party of Canada Members of Parliament.
2020 Gibson, M, Williamson, L., Dell, C., Chalmers, D., & DeGroot, P. (November 16-18). Insight into Social Influences on Veterans’ Use of Medical Cannabis to Manage their PTSD Symptoms. SK Health Research Showcase. Saskatoon: SK.
2020 Williamson, L., Dell, C., Chalmers, D., Lohnes, C., Lapointe, M., Carleton, N., & Asmundson, G. (November 12-17). Examining changes in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and substance use among a sample of Canadian Veterans working with service dogs: An exploratory longitudinal study. INCAM Research Symposium. Saskatoon, SK. Virtual.
2019 Williamson, L., Chalmers, D., Osgoode, N., Lohnes, C., Lapointe, M., & Dell, C. (November 21). A pilot test of the effect of psychiatric service dogs on PTSD symptoms and problematic substance use among a sample of Canadian veterans. Saskatchewan Health Authority Research Showcase
2019 Dell, C., Williamson, L., Gauthier, S., Mills, S., & Goodfellow, H. (May 5). “Who Let the Dogs In!” From Teaching to Research Publication: The Fundamentals of doing SoTL. Saskatoon, Canada.
2018 Williamson, L. (November 13-15). A Dog Lover’s Dream: Participatory Research with a Service Dog Program for Veterans. Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research Summit, Ottawa, Ontario.
ACADEMIC CONFERENCE POSTERS
Taekema, K., & Williamson, L. (June 19-22, 2025). Understanding the Lived Experience of Veterans who Work with Service Dogs. International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ) Annual Conference, Saskatoon, SK.
Dixon, A., & Williamson, L. (June 19-22, 2025). What’s the experience of getting a service dog in Canada? International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ) Annual Conference, Saskatoon, SK.
Squair, C., & Williamson, L. (June 19-22, 2025). Undergraduate Student Perceptions of Service Dog Teams in Academic Environments. International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ) Annual Conference, Saskatoon, SK.
Khalid, A. (Presenter), McKenzie, H. A., Dell, C.A., Arisman, K., Pavelich, A., Williamson, L., Snead, E., Gibson, M., Carey, B., Raichuk, E., Beaupre, C., Buhr, E., Smith. J., Peachey, S., Kubes, K. (June 15-18, 2023). Where Narratives About Human-Animal Relations During the COVID-19 Pandemic Lead Us: Advancing Animal-Inclusive Housing to Promote Human and Animal Health. ISAZ 2023 Anthrozoology: The Spectrum of Human-Animal Interactions and Relationships, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Kubes, K., Williamson, L., Dell, C., Snead, L., McKenzie, H., Carey, B., Gibson, M., Arisman, K., Buhr, E., Agar, B., Khalid, A., & Beaupre, C. (September 18, 2022). Development of a pet-friendly rental guide in Saskatoon, SK, Canada. Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) Annual Conference, Virtual Platform.
Dell, C. A., Williamson, L., McKenzie, H., Mela, M., Akca, D., Cruz, M., Ramsum, T., Sultana, S., Camacho Soto, N., & Mostafa, K. (November 4-5, 2021). Conducting Patient Oriented Research in a Forensic Psychiatric Facility: A Case Study of Patient Involvement. Saskatchewan Health Research Showcase, Virtual Platform.
Dell, C., Williamson, L., McKenzie, H., Carey, B., Cruz, M., Gibson, M., & Pavelich, A. (November 23-25, 2021). Responding to university student substance use and mental health concerns during COVID-19 through an online therapy dog program. The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) Issues of Substance 2021 conference. Virtual format.
Williamson, L. Dell, C., Osgoode, N., Chalmers, D., Lohnes, C., LaPointe, M., Carleton, N., & Asmundson, G. (June 22-24, 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. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) International Forum.
Ahmed, A., Husband, A., Dell, C. A., & Williamson, L. (November 23-27, 2019). PTSD-diagnosed veterans combatting problematic substance use with psychiatric service dogs: What community pharmacists should know. Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse and Addiction, Ottawa, Ontario
Chalmers, D., Dell, C. A., Williamson, L., Carey, B., Husband, A., & Rogers, N. (November 23-27, 2019). Researchers learning about veterans’ experiences with opioid addiction by training a service dog: A patient-oriented approach. Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse and Addiction, Ottawa, Ontario
Cruz, M., Gibson, M., Williamson, L., Chalmers, D., Osgoode, N., & Dell, C. (October 18-19, 2019). The Impact of Service Dogs in the Lives of Veterans Who Problematically Use Opioids. Animal-Human Relationship: Ways of Knowing and Understanding, University of Saskatchewan.
WEBINARS
Williamson, L. (November 2023). Evaluating and Researching Animal-Human Interactions: An introduction to the Pawsitive Connections Lab - Part 2 Q&A. Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers (CAPDT). https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tTYm2hSJqpwMj4AOmFOXEUSCtWByFogN/view
Williamson, L. (November 2023). Evaluating and Researching Animal-Human Interactions: An introduction to the Pawsitive Connections Lab - Part 1 Presentation. Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers (CAPDT). https://drive.google.com/file/d/1I7g1aG-omK3-7jl34N-lIEN1kaTM8pWn/view
Williamson, L. (June 2023). Evaluating and researching the human-animal bond. Alberta Evaluation Network.
Williamson, L. (April 2022). Causality vs contribution: How should we evaluate a service dog organization serving Canadian veterans with PTSD? Canadian Evaluation Society British Columbia Chapter (CES-BC).
Dell, C., Chalmers, D., & Williamson, L. (March, 2021). Service Dog research 101.
Williamson, L. (February, 2021). Exploring the role of stigma for Veterans with PTSD working with Service Dogs.
MEDIA COVERAGE
The Dogs of Postwar, Legion Canada’s Military History Magazine https://legionmagazine.com/the-dogs-of-postwar/, 2024
CBC Future 40 winner: Linzi Williamson, Saskatchewan Weekend with Shauna Powers https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-205-saskatchewan-weekend/clip/16075310-cbc-future-40-winner-linzi-williamson, 2024
Future 40 2024 winner Dr. Linzi Williamson https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6415424, 2024
USask researcher explores value of service dogs for veterans. USask Discovery Digest. https://research.usask.ca/documents/research-stories/discovery-digest/dd-nov2023.pdf, 2023
Awards and Accolades, Arts and Science Update, University of Saskatchewan https://artsandscience.usask.ca/about/newsletter/documents/2023/december-2023.pdf, 2023
A lifeline for veterans: Michael Richards and his service dog Felix https://globalnews.ca/news/10100169/veterans-service-dog-felix/, 2023
What to do when you see a service dog and handler https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2286570563682, 2023
Veteran with PTSD says society has a lot to learn about interacting with service dogs https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/veteran-ptsd-society-learn-interacting-service-dogs-1.7036366, 2023
The benefits service dogs bring to veterans https://iono.fm/e/1380957, 2023
Exploring the value of service dogs for veterans https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-103-the-afternoon-edition-sask, 2023
USask research claims service dogs provide great benefits to veterans with PTSD https://www.cjwwradio.com/2023/11/11/usask-research-claims-service-dogs-provide-great-benefit-to-veterans-with-ptsd/#:~:text=USask%20research%20claims%20service%20dogs%20provide%20great%20benefit%20to%20veterans%20with%20PTSD,-By%20Carol%20Thomson&text=After%20three%20years%20of%20research,post%2Dtraumatic%2Dstress%20disorder., 2023
USask research claims service dogs provide great benefits to veterans with PTSD https://www.98cool.ca/2023/11/11/usask-research-claims-service-dogs-provide-great-benefit-to-veterans-with-ptsd/, 2023
Empowering people to make the best decision for themselves and their animals. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/adv/article-empowering-people-to-make-the-best-decision-for-themselves-and-their/, 2023
USask researcher explores value of service dogs for veterans. https://news.usask.ca/articles/research/2023/usask-researcher-explores-value-of-service-dogs-for-veterans.php, 2023
Fighting “soldier’s disease, Legion Magazine. https://legionmagazine.com/en/fighting-soldiers-disease/, 2023
2021 Postdoctoral Fellows, Imagine Magazine, College of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies, 2021
2020 Online therapy dog program to continue this fall following positive survey results.
2019 Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research (SCPOR) Trainee Spotlight.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS OR AFFILIATIONS
2023- Associate Member, Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers (CAPDT)
2022- Accepted Participant, Advanced Study Institute (ASI)-University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) Summer Human-Animal Studies Institute.
2021- Committee Member, Canine Wellness and Education Committee, Chimo Animal Assisted Wellness and Learning Society (CAAWLS)
2021- Human Research Standards Organization (HRSO) Animal-Assisted Services Technical Committee Member, The Canadian Foundation for Animal-Assisted Support Services (CFAS)
2021- Grant Development Task Force Committee Member, Veterans Studies Association (VSA)
2021- Advisory Committee Member for the Couple HOPES project, Centre of Excellence on PTSD
2021- Review Team Member for AUDEAMUS, Inc. governance, bylaws, and policy procedures development