Women of Impact: Interview with Maggie O'Haire
Maggie O’Haire, associate dean and professor for the College of Veterinary Medicine, discusses the science behind our love for pets, the importance of lifelong learning and some remarkable updates since the awards celebration.
In the "Conversations with Women of Impact" interview series, Women of Impact award winners provide perspectives on the future of their fields, share what inspires them, and discuss what they've been up to over the last year.
Please tell us about your work.
My research program focuses on the unique and pervasive ways that humans interact with animals. From household pets to highly trained service animals, my team’s findings have been instrumental in demonstrating the impact of human-animal interactions.
What sort of impact are you making in your field?
I am honored to be leading research in the U of A College of Veterinary Medicine. Our flagship research portfolio focuses on the science behind the human-animal bond. Historically, our field has been driven by emotional intuition rather than rigorous scientific inquiry. My vision is to pave the way for future students and professionals to pursue rewarding careers in this field. I hope that my team’s science will shape practice and policy to enrich and enhance the lives of both humans and animals through stronger partnerships.
Research, and academia in general, is full of experts but what is something we could all learn when it comes to inclusion?
I think we could all learn that continuing to learn is the key. We are fortunate to have access to many unique opportunities and experiences to grow. I am grateful to be part of a team that values ongoing learning, discussion, and growth together.
Awardees like yourself serve as role models for future generations, but who was (still is) a mentor for you?
I am lucky to be surrounded by incredible mentorship here at the University of Arizona, including the inspiring Julie Funk, our founding dean for the College of Veterinary Medicine, and the incredible Teresa Graham Brett who spearheads our mission as the associate dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. I feel grateful to continue to learn from these powerhouse women every single day.
If your field has been featured in books, movies or TV shows, what did you enjoy about the representation? If it hasn’t, how would you like to see it in pop culture?
The thing that strikes me the most about my field’s representation in pop culture is just how prevalent the human-animal bond is in news, media, books, movies, and more. It underscores the relevance and salience of our interactions with animals, and how they shape much of our human experience. These representations inspire me to continue building science to support innovative human-animal interactions that can change lives.
What’s new since the 2023 Women of Impact awards celebration last year?
Since the celebration, we are excited to have published landmark findings on how service dogs are helping military service members and veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Additionally, we were awarded new funding to better understand how service dogs integrate with evidence-based care to give veterans their best chance at success and recovery. I am so grateful for and proud of my incredible team, who make each and every one of our successes possible. Follow our journey on social media, with content curated and led by our future Women of Impact U of A students.