OU-Tulsa Professor Shares Research on Use of Service Dogs
The importance of service dogs in their work with people with disabilities was the focus of a recent OU-Tulsa Presidential Research Series, which showcases faculty research to all members of the OU-Tulsa community.
Leading the presentation was Professor Mary Isaacson, program director of the master and doctorate of occupational therapy at OU-Tulsa. Isaacson demonstrated her research on the Professor Paws Project, which seeks to expand clinician knowledge and promote community awareness about service dogs. Assisting Isaacson with her research is Professor Paws himself: Niko, a white Labrador retriever trained as a service dog.
In her talk, Isaacson explained the evolution and purpose of the Professor Paws Project, as well as the positive outcomes the project has produced. She also shared highlights from the research studies completed over the lifetime of the project.
Niko was on hand to demonstrate the way service dogs can help people with disabilities live independent lives. He was able to find and retrieve a lost cell phone and remote control, turn on a light switch, open a cabinet, remove a sock, and even deliver a laundry basket and transfer laundry from washer to dryer and into the basket. He was given many treats and pats as reward.
The Professor Paws Project is growing with the addition of other dogs trained for different situations and conducting more research into human/animal interaction. The project is also expanding efforts to better educate the community on the many roles of canines.
Read more about the Professor Paws Project here.
Support Professor Paws! On Giving Day 2022 – April 14 – visit givesooner.org and donate to Professor Paws.
By Bonnie Rucker
Article Published: Wednesday, April 6, 2022