Hi, I’m Bridget. I’m a researcher, educator, and applied practitioner whose work focuses on animal welfare, law, and the social conditions that shape harm, care, and accountability. Across my academic and professional work, I am committed to building healthier, more humane communities through evidence-based practice, ethical reflection, and meaningful connection.

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My research examines how laws, policies, and institutions govern human–animal relationships, with particular attention to how legal frameworks are interpreted, implemented, and experienced in practice. I am especially interested in animal-serving organizations, equity and inclusion, humane labour, and the well-documented links between animal abuse and interpersonal violence. My scholarship is grounded in critical sociology and criminology and informed by relational, trauma-aware, and inclusive approaches to research and knowledge production. I have been honoured to receive recognition for this work, including the Health Research Center for the Study of Violence Against Women Scholarship and the Ontario Graduate Scholarship.

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Alongside my academic work, I have spent much of my life working directly with animals—particularly dogs—in roles that span training, caregiving, education, and advocacy. This hands-on experience continues to shape how I think about welfare, behaviour, learning, and responsibility. I approach human–animal relationships with a strong emphasis on trust, consent, empathy, and positive leadership, whether I am working in a classroom, a training space, or a research setting.

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Today, I bring together my background in animal welfare, law, education, and animal science through teaching, consulting, and public scholarship. My goal is to support both animals and the people who care for them by creating thoughtful learning environments, offering humane and joyful training experiences, and advancing research-informed, ethically grounded approaches to care, policy, and advocacy.

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I live with Stevie, a spirited Chinese Crested who continually reminds me that fear can be unlearned and confidence rebuilt. A pandemic puppy turned sport dog, Stevie has earned titles in Rally Freestyle Elements, Trick Training, and Stunt Dog, and has placed first in Musical Freestyle. He is my daily reminder that growth is rarely linear—and that joy matters. I also work with Unleashed Niagara, a dog training company in St. Catharines, Ontario, which means my home is rarely quiet and always full of purpose.

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When I’m not teaching, training, or researching, you’ll most often find me outdoors—especially in the backcountry—observing wildlife, moving slowly, and reconnecting with the systems and relationships that ground my work.

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At the core of everything I do is a simple belief: improving outcomes for people and animals begins with how we relate to one another. Learning is relational, care is collective, and meaningful change happens when we take both seriously.