About Us

We are believers in the human-animal bond

Curated resources from researchers in the Pets and Well-Being Lab at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University

The team, with decades of experience in researching and understanding human-animal interaction, has assembled reputable resources across the field, from existing content to new materials by the lab, in support of bringing pets and families together.

To understand family needs and what healthcare providers hear most, the lab’s researchers surveyed and interviewed practitioners across the United States before collecting and creating the materials found across these pages.

Meet the Experts

Dr. Megan Mueller

Principal Investigator

Dr. Megan Mueller is an Associate Professor of human-animal interaction and Associate Chair of the Department of Comparative Pathobiology at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. She also teaches in the M.S. in Animals and Public Policy program at the Center for Animals and Public Policy. Dr. Mueller’s research interests include companion animals and adolescent development, with a focus on positive youth development and teenagers experiencing social anxiety.

Seana Dowling-Guyer, M.S.

Co-Investigator

Seana Dowling-Guyer, M.S., is a Senior Lecturer in Public Policy and Animal Welfare at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University and teaches in the M.S. in Animals and Public Policy program. Ms. Dowling-Guyer’s research focuses on the intersection of animal behavior and people’s perceptions of that behavior. She also studies how to improve the welfare of dogs in shelters and support dogs and other companion animals in the home and community.