Colleen Anne Dell

Dr. Colleen Anne Dell is a Professor and Centennial Enhancement Chair in One Health & Wellness at the University of Saskatchewan, affiliated with the Department of Sociology, School of Public Health, and Canadian Centre on Substance Use & Addiction. She co-directs the PAWSitive Connections Lab, focusing on human-animal interactions for mental health, addictions, and wellbeing.

• Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Saskatchewan
• Associate, School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan
• Senior Research Associate, Canadian Centre on Substance Use & Addiction
• Co-Founder & Co-Director, PAWSitive Connections Lab

Her research emphasizes community-based, patient-oriented approaches, particularly for Indigenous populations, and integrates therapy/service animals into interventions for addictions, mental health, and criminalization contexts. She pioneered the PAWSitive Support Canine Assisted Learning Program and developed knowledge mobilization tools like music videos and paintings.

Recent work includes a controlled clinic trial on therapy dogs in emergency departments (2024) and a SSHRC Partnership Grant for a national Human-Animal Connections Centre (2025). She also led initiatives like the Tails of Hope coloring book and PAWS Your Stress campus program.

• 2025 SK Health Research Foundation Achievement Award
• 2023 Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Saskatchewan)
• 2022 University of Saskatchewan Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award

Dr. Dell collaborates with therapy dogs E-Jay, Ruby, Molly, and partners like Dr. Darlene Chalmers (University of Regina) and Dr. Linzi Williamson (University of Saskatchewan). Her work spans addictions treatment facilities, universities, and criminal justice institutions, prioritizing animal welfare.