New OVC Professorships to Enhance Research on Human-Animal Bond 

Humans and companion animals often share lifelong bonds. Innovative research to enhance that bond as well as advance animal and human well-being are the aims of two new professorships at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph.   

The two, five-year-term professorship positions will maintain and enhance OVC’s internationally recognized program of research excellence and collaboration in the human-animal bond. 

The Marion and Herb Hallatt Beau Valley gift will support the two professorship positions. Each professorship-holder will conduct research that drives inquiry into human-animal relationships and their roles in mediating the health and well-being of animals, people, and communities. Faculty awardees will also support the teaching and mentorship of veterinary and graduate students, improving animal health and well-being for decades to come.  

The award is inspired by Marion and Herb Hallatt’s love of animals. At their farm, Beau Valley (named after a favourite dog, Beau), they fostered dozens of dogs in need of love and care. They believed deeply in the human-animal bond and according to a family friend, Marion believes that we have a lot to learn from animal’s innate intelligence and ability to interact with humans. 

One Health lens into the human-animal bond 

Dr. Lauren Grant joined the Department of Population Medicine in 2021 as an assistant professor of environmental and public health. With this professorship, she aims to improve the health of pets and humans by understanding the effects of the human-animal bond. Grant will use advanced analytical approaches and take a One Health lens to this research. She will collaborate with researchers at U of G and the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, and integrate MSc, PhD and postdoctoral trainees.  

Grant’s novel research program has three objectives. First, she will examine how pet ownership influences human health outcomes and health-care utilization using quantitative epidemiological studies. Second, Dr. Grant will explore the inter-connectedness between pet health and human health and the role of the human-animal bond in mediating these relationships. Drawing on data from the Guelph Family Health Study, Grant and her team will explore the impacts of pets on human physical and mental health. Finally, she will take a patient-centred approach to measure the preferences for veterinary care, considering the adequacy, accessibility, affordability, availability, and appropriateness of veterinary products and services. 

“Dr. Grant is an exceptional researcher and has developed a novel program that uniquely aligns with the OVC’s combined strengths in the Human-Animal Bond and One Health,” says Dr. Jeff Wichtel, dean of OVC. “I am thrilled to have a front-row seat as this exciting research program unfolds.”   

Human-animal interactions, welfare of cats and rabbits 

Dr. Lee Niel is an associate professor and holds the Col. K.L. Campbell Chair in Companion Animal Welfare in the Department of Population Medicine. Niel’s research program focuses on cats, rabbits, and dogs and seeks to enhance animal welfare and human-animal interactions by increasing understanding of animal needs and developing new strategies to meet those needs. Most research on companion animal health and welfare focuses on dogs, Niel aims to fill a gap in research on cats and rabbits with this professorship. 

Drawing on her expertise in animal behaviour and welfare, Niel will use an interventional, community-based approach to improve cat welfare, caregiver wellbeing and the human-cat bond. This work will address cat-care challenges and enhance positive interactions between cats and their caregivers. Niel and her trainees will test enrichment strategies that may reduce behavioural issues and test an evidenced-based system of community supports aimed at improving cat welfare and the cat-human bond. 

Pet rabbits will also be a focus, as rabbit strays and relinquishments are increasing and rabbit adoption times from shelters are often slow.  Niel will determine factors that positively and negatively influence the human-rabbit bond to develop and test an educational intervention to enhance human-rabbit relationships. 

“With its focus on companion cats and rabbits, Dr. Niel’s research will address an understudied research area and one that has great potential to enhance the welfare of these pets,” says Wichtel. “The research is highly unique in its interventional approach.” 

Humans share their lives, homes, and lifelong relationships with their animal companions, and the influence of the human-animal bond extends beyond that of individual relationships. Through the generosity of the Marion and Herb Hallatt Beau Valley gift, Grant and Niel will conduct innovative research to enhance animal and human well-being and advance our knowledge of the human-animal bond. 

Mrs. Marion Hallatt is pleased to create the professorships and offers her congratulations and hope for success of Drs. Grant and Neil.