Join host Richard Miles and guest Dr. Nancy Gee, Director for the Center for Human Animal Interaction (HAI) at Virginia Commonwealth University and President of the International Society for Anthrozoology, for the first episode of our animal health series: Beyond the Collar!

“People come away with smiles. I mean, I can tell you some very impactful stories. I was there. I saw it happen. It gives you chills just thinking about it. But at the same time, I needed to know if there was anything real to it. And that’s what got me started doing this research all those years ago. And it’s real.” — Dr. Nancy Gee 

Beyond the Collar is an exploration of animal research and innovations that are making waves in the animal health industry. Listen as our hosts and guests dive into the impact our pet relationships have on us, obstacles and triumphs in pet medicine, and tools for ensuring the safety of our pets. 

About NancyNancy R. Gee, PhD, is Professor of Psychiatry, Bill Balaban Chair in Human Animal Interaction, and the Director of the Center for Human Animal Interaction at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, USA. The Center is uniquely situated in the School of Medicine and in addition to research and educational activities it also houses the “Dogs on Call” therapy dog program, which includes 90+ dog/handler teams who visit patients and staff throughout the VCU health system. 

Dr. Gee, President of the International Society for Anthrozoology, has extensive research and teaching experience and has specialized in the area of Human Animal Interaction (HAI) for the past 18 years. She served for five years as the HAI Research Manager for the Waltham Petcare Science Institute, located in Leicestershire, UK. In this role she managed a large portfolio of collaborative university-based research projects spanning multiple countries and topics, including; how companion animals impact the lives of older adults, or help students learn, or reduce the impact of PTSD symptoms in military veterans. Dr. Gee’s own program of research has focused primarily on the impact of dogs on aspects of human cognition, including working memory, executive functioning and physiological responses such as heart rate variability to interactions with dogs. Currently she is the primary investigator on three grant funded clinical trials examining the impact of a hospital-based therapy dog visitation program on loneliness, depression and anxiety in vulnerable patient populations such as children, older adults, and people with mental illness. 

A recipient of multiple grants and awards, Dr. Gee has 70 peer reviewed publications and has edited and contributed to numerous books. Dr. Gee regularly delivers international presentations on a variety of HAI topics, serves on the editorial review boards of several peer reviewed journals and has actively promoted the field of HAI through participation on the boards of several HAI organizations including the International Society for Anthrozoology and currently as the Chair of Pet Partners’ Human-Animal Bond Advisory Board.