About Sarah
I'm a Research Scientist with the Center for Human-Animal Wellness Research at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine, where I study service dog partnerships as a health intervention for people with disabilities.
I earned my BA in Neurobiology & Behavior from Cornell University, my MS in Psychology of Human-Animal Interaction from Purdue University, and my PhD in Psychology from the University of Arizona. Before returning to academia, I spent over a decade at Canine Companions, where I worked as an Assistance Dogs International Certified Service Dog Instructor (2010-2016) and as Department Head overseeing Training & Client Services operations (2016-2021).
My career has been recognized through several honors, including the 2024 Award for Excellence in Scholarship from the University of Arizona College of Science and the 2024 Award for Distinguished Graduate Student in Professional Psychology from the American Psychological Association.
Read my biography in American Psychologist →
Current work
Active studies
Alongside my published research, I'm currently co-investigator for two active studies examining different dimensions of the service dog partnership.
Co-Principal Investigator
BRAVE Study
The Brain Research for Assistance Dog & Veteran Experiences (BRAVE) Study uses neuroimaging to examine how the brain responds to service dogs in veterans with PTSD, exploring the neurological mechanisms that may underlie the benefits of service dog partnership.
Co-Investigator
Bridging Futures
Bridging Futures examines a model in which incarcerated adults at the Federal Correctional Complex in Tucson and University of Arizona students jointly co-raise future service dogs. This novel program combines the strengths of both settings to better prepare dogs and benefit the people involved.
Beyond the lab
Staying connected to practice
Research and practice have always been intertwined in my career. I remain actively engaged as a Canine Companions volunteer puppy raiser (currently raising Buddy VII) and through leading service dog training classes at the Federal Correctional Complex in Tucson, where incarcerated adults raise future service dogs.
Outside of work, I enjoy rock climbing, escape rooms, reading, and spending time with our pet dog Zephyr.
