VCU Faculty Feature

Sandra Barker, Ph.D., Center for Human-Animal Interaction, Department of Psychiatry, VCU School of Medicine

Barker, professor of psychiatry and the Bill Balaban chair in Human-Animal Interaction, along with Randolph Barker, Ph.D., professor of management, were invited to participate in a U.S. Army Surgeon General Summit on Animal-Assisted Therapy recently held at Fort Myer in Arlington. The purpose of the summit was to explore the inclusion of therapy dogs in Warrior Transition Units and downrange in the theater, and how best to assess the impact of such interventions. The Barkers presented research conducted with their co-investigators on the health benefits of interacting with companion animals.