Kerri Rodriguez

Kerri Rodriguez is an Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona, affiliated with both the Department of Psychology and the College of Veterinary Medicine. Her research focuses on the bi-directional effects of human-animal interactions on health and wellbeing.

• B.S. in Evolutionary Anthropology & Biology, Duke University
• M.S. in Marine Mammal Science, University of St Andrews
• Ph.D. in Human-Animal Interaction, Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University

Research Interests include the roles of assistance dogs, therapy dogs, and pet dogs in supporting individuals with disabilities or mental health conditions, psychophysiological mechanisms underlying human-dog interactions, and the impact of the human-animal bond across diverse settings.

Publication Trends show a focus on PTSD treatment via service dogs, autism spectrum disorder support, psychophysiological stress responses, and methodological challenges in human-animal interaction research, with a strong emphasis on military veterans and pediatric populations.