Service Providers

In 2015 Dr. Dell and Dr. Darlene Chalmers led a study examining social workers’ experiences, knowledge, views and practices with human-animal interactions in the prairie provinces of Canada (MB, SK, AB). There is little understanding about social workers’ experiences and theoretical knowledge on the inclusion of animals in their practices. An integrative approach that spans animal, human and social concerns is needed to address this.
Starting in 2016, Dr. Dell worked with Drs. Kate Hodgson and Marcia Darling to share their Pet Positive Toolkit with service providers to encourage them to ask animal-related questions, such as ‘are there pets in your family’; emerging research tells us that it can reveal clinically relevant information, improve communication and strengthen the therapeutic alliance.
In 2016 Dr. Dell began offering Animal Assisted Activities and Animal Assisted Therapy with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (Saskatoon) Opioid Assisted Recovery Services (OARS).
Dr. Dell does frequent presentations to community service providers, including during Social Work Week and for Social Work students at the University of Regina and First Nations University of Canada.
In 2017, Dr. Dell assisted with therapy dog visits in response to the tragic Humboldt bus crash. She was part of the team to receive an Award of Recognition by St. John Ambulance Canada for this.
In 2021 Dr. Dell began taking Social Work placement students in her office.

Academic Publications

Beck, A., Barber, B., McKenzie, H., Thorlakson, J., Dell, C., Keeping-Burke, L. 2021. “Perceptions and Experiences of Health Care Professionals and Staff with Animal-Assisted Interventions in Health Care Settings: A Systematic Review Protocol of Qualitative Evidence”. JBI Evidence Synthesis.
Chalmers, D, Dell, C., Rohr, B., Dixon, J., Dowling, T., Hanrahan, C. 2019. “Recognizing Animals as an Important Part of Helping: A Survey Exploring Knowledge and Practice Among Canadian Social Workers”. Critical Social Work. 21(1). 1-29.
Anna-Belle the Therapy Dog, with the assistance of C. Dell, G. Sewap, B. McAllister, J. Bachiu. 2018. “She Makes Me Feel Comfortable”: Understanding the Impacts of Animal Assisted Therapy at a Methadone Clinic”. Canadian Journal of Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Community-Based Research. 9:57-65.

Other Publications

Dell, C. (2020). AAT Practice Case and AAA Practice Case. In e-Resource Guide for AAI Alternatives During COVID-19. Human Animal Interaction Section of the American Psychological Association.
Dell, C., Petryk, C., Chalmers, D., Sillers, L. 2018. Integrating Therapy Dogs into Saskatchewan’s Coordinated Trauma Response: Essential Actions. The Humanitarian, SPCA.

Presentations

Dell, C. (2021). Why is there a Dog in the Store? Answers to this and other Important Questions for Psychologists. Saskatoon Psychologists Lunch and Learn. Saskatoon, SK. Virtual.
Chalmers, D., Dowling, T., Johner, R., Dell, C. 2014. “Veterinary Social Work: A Canadian Project in the
Making.”Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences. St. Catharines, ON.
Dell, C., Rohr, B., Chalmers, D. 2016. “Update: Social Work Practice and Human-Animal Interaction Survey: A Canadian Prairie Provinces Study”. International One Welfare Conference. Winnipeg, MB.
Chalmers, D., Rohr, B., Dell, C. 2016. “Social Work Practice and Human-Animal Interaction Survey: A Canadian Prairie Provinces Study”. One Health Symposium, University of Saskatchewan. Saskatoon, SK.

Committee Work

Western College of Veterinary Medicine & University of Regina School of Social Work, joint Veterinary Social Work Initiative Committee, 2013-2020.

Addiction Research Chair Outcomes