Physical Therapists’ Guide Dog Research

Marcie Davis on Pet Life Radio

Ground-breaking researchers, Dr. Teresa Conner-Kerr and Dr. Sue Ann Kalish from the University of North Georgia College of Health Sciences and Professions visit with Marcie and Lovey about the work they are doing to study guide dogs and their human partners with visual impairments. Listen in as they talk about some of their major research findings, how you can participate in their study and their plans for future work. Their research findings will be a game changer in the guide dog world, as it impacts how humans navigate the world with their guide dog.


BIO:


Dr. Teresa Conner-Kerr joined UNG in the summer of 2014 to serve as the inaugural Dean of the College of Health Sciences & Professions. She holds a Ph.D. in Anatomy & Cell Biology, an MBA and a clinical degree in physical therapy. Her research focus is in new technology development for wound healing/bioburden reduction. 

She has served as a research and expert consultant for start-up companies and Fortune 500 companies in the area of wound healing. She has experience in patent development, clinical trials and was the lead researcher on the first de novo application to the FDA for a wound healing device.

She continues a secondary line of research in inter-professional education and has recently begun a new line of research focusing on patient experiences with guide dogs and the potential for injury and fall prevention. Dr. Conner-Kerr also serves as a new program consultant and program reviewer for different agencies, state systems and international institutions.

Dr. Sue Ann Kalish serves as an associate professor in the Physical Therapy Department in the College of Health Sciences and Professions at the University of North Georgia. She has over 35 years' experience of clinical practice and management in physical therapy. Dr. Kalish has over 10 years teaching experience in the physical therapy curriculum.