Kailyn Brewer
MSc Student in Critical Family and Kinship Studies
Kailyn C. Brewer (she/her) is a Master of Science Student at the University of Guelph’s Family Relations and Applied Nutrition department. Inspired by her own relationship with her childhood dog, Kailyn is exploring the nature of dog/human emotional connections, bonds, and attachments in her thesis with the FIDO Lab. Through qualitative and art-based research methods, Kailyn hopes to better understand 1) what it means for disabled/mentally different humans to co-create and foster emotional relationships with working service dogs, 2) how disabilities and/or mental differences shape understanding of dog/human relational dynamics, and 3) what happens to both the dog and the disabled/mentally different human when the dog’s working life ends. Kailyn hopes to explore these questions and more through post-humanist and critical theoretical lenses (more specifically critical disability, Mad studies, and feminist ethics of care theories) that allow the experiences of both the disabled/mentally different human and the service dog to be understood and honoured as equally important contributors within the dog/human relationship.
Although Kailyn is new to critical animal and post-humanist theories, she has a rich background in early childhood education and care, social psychology, and interpersonal relationships through her undergraduate and graduate research experiences. Kailyn also has extensive experience in the fine arts, after being professionally trained in theatrical production as a scenic painter, seamstress, and stage manager with nearly 15 years of experience. Kailyn’s passion for the fine arts translates into her desire to incorporate arts-based research methods into her work as well as her interdisciplinary approach. Beyond her Thesis, Kailyn is currently exploring how dog/human bonds are depicted in media and what visual storytelling communicates about dog/human kinship.
Allana Cortese
Honours Thesis Student
Hello! My name is Allana (she/they), and I’m a fifth-year undergraduate student majoring in Family Studies and Human Development. Throughout university, I have developed a dedication to social justice and mental health advocacy. In the future, I aspire to pursue graduate studies in social work to enhance my skills in supporting individuals, families, and communities in need. It is crucial to acknowledge human-canine relationships in this field, as dogs are significant members of the family system who have deep, meaningful relationships with their human kin. I know my life would not be the same without the consistent support and friendship my dog Paesano has offered me throughout the last 15 years. As an undergraduate thesis student, I hope to investigate the reciprocal care relationships between humans and their canine more-than-human family members!
Allison Chevrier
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hi! My name is Allison (she/her) and I am a fourth-year Child, Youth and Family Co-op student at the University of Guelph. Throughout my life and into my studies and experiential opportunities, I discovered my passion for youth mental health advocacy. My experience in systems operations allows me to navigate the ways in which organizations can embed youth voice and make mental health support more accessible to young people. It is profound to consider the ways in which animals impact our mental health- this has always sparked my interest and has now lead me to become involved with the FIDO project! Although my expertise may not lie within dog-human relationships, I am thrilled the observe the significance of dogs as it pertains to their owner’s mental health and wellbeing!
Paige Young
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hello! My name is Paige and I am a fourth-year Child Youth and Family Major at the University of Guelph, with a special interest in and experience working with individuals who have exceptionalities. Through this work, I have experienced firsthand the close bond that so many individuals with a wide range of exceptionalities share with their dogs. As well as this, I personally share a wonderful friendship with Milo, an energetic, spirited cockapoo who has been in my life for almost ten years! In all of my experiences involving dogs, it is clear to me that they are a pillar of many family systems, and deserve to be respected accordingly. I am beyond excited to be an undergraduate research assistant on this team, and can’t wait to learn more about what human-dog relationships mean to these more-than-human family members.