Hello All,

The CHAIM Centre will be hosting the 2019 One HEALtH Student Challenge and we are currently seeking graduate student mentors to support the participating student groups. To learn more about the One HEALtH Student Challenge please see the link below.

If you are interested in the applying for the graduate mentor position, please see the attached document. The application information is also accessible through the 杏吧原创 University mySuccess Careers tab. The application deadline is Friday, September 13, 2019 at 11:59 pm.

2019 One HEALtH Student Challenge

2019 Graduate Mentor One HEALtH Challenge Position

2018 One HEALtH Student Challenge

Hello All,

The CHAIM Centre will be hosting the 2018 One HEALTH Student Challenge and we are currently seeking graduate student mentors to support the participating student groups. To learn more about the One Health Challenge please see the link below.

If you are interested in the applying for the graduate mentor position, please see the attached document. The application information is also accessible through the 杏吧原创 University mySuccess Careers tab. The application deadline is Friday, September 13, 2018 at 11:59 pm.

2018 One HEALtH Student Challenge

It鈥檚 been said that the best therapists have fur and four legs, and many individuals can provide anecdotal evidence for the healing power of animals. The idea of animals playing a role in human health and well-being has been frequently found in literature and popular culture. In many homes and communities, poor animal welfare is often indicative of poor human welfare, and there is also a link between animal abuse and family violence. The scientific community is also beginning to explore the links between animal and human welfare. Researchers have explored the idea of zoonosis, diseases which can be transmitted to humans from animals. But they are increasingly considering zooeyia, which refers to the positive impact that relationships with animals can have on human health. The concept of One Health considers how humans, animals, and the environment interact to affect human health. The framework of One Health can be utilized to explore how the welfare of animals is related to human welfare as well as how their environmental (or community) can enhance this relationship.

Biophilia, the connection an organism has with other living organisms in nature, is viewed as a basic, biological human need. Isolation and disconnect can result in negative consequences for the health of humans鈥攎entally, physically, and spiritually. In contrast, connection and a sense of belonging can be indicators of good human health. Animals can meet the need for a connection to the natural world, and by doing so, they can improve the health of humans. One study demonstrated that a dog gazing at its owner significantly increased levels of oxytocin, a hormone responsible for feelings of attachment and happiness, in the owner. This increase in oxytocin could be indicative of one mechanism by which companion animals can improve human health. Other studies indicate that pets appear to improve the quality of life for vulnerable youth by reducing the use of drugs and number of arrests. Often the youth reduced their drug use in order to be able to provide a better quality of life for their pets. These studies support the idea that pets provide youth with stability and responsibility while also teaching them about unconditional love and trust.

More and more research is emerging on the positive effects of human-animal interactions. It appears that pets could be an effective way of helping people from more vulnerable and socially marginalized populations? Yet, understanding the needs of individuals from the populations sometimes requires looking at the world from their perspective, rather than through the administration of rating scales and surveys. Different methodologies can assess needs and impact while also providing opportunities for the individuals to feel comfortable and empowered in their participation in the research. One such methodology is photovoice.

Photovoice is a method that uses photography to allow participants to share their views and use it to enhance their community. According to Wang and Burris (1997), photovoice aims to achieve three goals: a) to allow people to record and reflect on their community鈥檚 strengths and concerns, b) to use photography to discuss and critically think about important issues in the community, and c) to forward this information onto policy makers. The process involves providing members of a community with a camera and allowing them to capture images of their community, environment, and everyday health. Participants discuss their photographs with one another, and share them with researchers, policy makers and other community members.

As a qualitative research method, the photovoice method has many useful applications. Photovoice allows researchers to have insights as to how a group of people may perceive the world around them. Photovoice is often used in health research with participants from marginalized populations and youth. The photovoice method allows all members of a group to participate and have a voice as long as they are able to learn to use a camera. It is inclusive and does not require participants to be able to read and write. As a result, it is an effective tool in giving a voice to members of marginalized populations who might feel reluctant or disempowered when pushed to communicate to people perceived to be in positions of power, such as researchers. Furthermore, the photovoice method allows participants to share their thoughts on their community and the world around them through a visual representation. As is often said, a picture can be worth a thousand words. This visual representation allows participants to share and document the world around them using a powerful mode. The photovoice method is also effective for people from cultures where storytelling is a traditional method of conveying information, beliefs and values. The use of photovoice as a research method not only gives participants the opportunity to be listened to, but it can also foster trust and social support.

Our Pets and Our Health: A photovoice pilot study will be looking at the impact of pet ownership on the health of vulnerably housed and homeless people in Ottawa, Ontario through the lens of One Health. Our goal for this research is to understand the perception of pets among this population including what motivates pet ownership and the perceived benefits and costs of owning a pet.

This study will be conducted in partnership with Community Veterinary Outreach. This organization provides pro bono animal care to individuals that may not be able to access health care for their pets. Services include vaccinations, spay and neuter, and general check-ups. Additionally, services to enhance human health are also provided, including dental services, support for those living with HIV, and programs to assist with quitting smoking. For many individuals that use the Community Veterinary Outreach service, they would not otherwise be able to access these human health care services. In this way, the clinic embodies the One Health initiative, by directly linking the health of human owners with the health of their pets.

This study has implications to the One Health research as well as policies of organizations working with homeless and vulnerably housed individuals. Our research is further exploring the concept of zooeyia, and it could open doors for further partnerships between animal health and human health professionals. If the research findings support a link between human and animal health and welfare in this population, this could encourage policy changes in organizations working with these individuals. Some changes could include increasing the number of pet-friendly shelters and housing operations, as well as increasing access to affordable animal care. Organizations might also consider the use of animal assisted therapy for client support.

Sources:

Chalmers, Darlene & Dell, Colleen Anne. (2015). Applying One Health to the Study of Animal-Assisted Interventions. Ecohealth, 12(4), 560-562.

Dell, Colleen & Anna Belle. (2015). Questioning 鈥淔luffy鈥�: A Dog鈥檚 Eye View of Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) in the Treatment of Substance Misuse. Subst Use Misuse, 50(0), 1148-1152.

Hodgson, Kate & Darling, Marcia. (2011). Zooeyia: An essential component of 鈥淥ne Health.鈥滳VJ, 52, 198-191.

Kelly K.J. (2016). Photovoice Capturing American Indian Youths鈥� Dietary Perceptions and Sharing Behavior-Changing Implications. Social Marketing Quarterly. 23(1), 64-79.Jordan, Tyler & Lem, Michelle. (2014). One Health, One Welfare: Education in practice: Veterinary students鈥� experiences with Community Veterinary Outreach. CVJ, 50, 1203-1206.

Lem, Michelle, et al. (2013). Effect of Companion Animal Ownership among Canadian Street-involved Youth: A Qualitative Analysis. Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, 40(4), 285-304.

Wang, C.& Burris, M. (1997). Photovoice: Concept, methodology, and use for participatory needs assessment. Health Education and behavior. 24(3), 369-387.

Wang, C., Cash J.L, Powers L.S. (2000). Who Knows the Streets as Well as the Homeless? Promoting Personal and Community Action Through Photovoice. Health Promotion Practice. 1(1), 81-89.

The Student HEALtH Challenge, held on Saturday, March. 18^th, 2017, was the day we determined who would win the $1000 investment with Kiva and the opportunity to bring to life their strategy to tackling antibiotic resistance (AMR).

The winners of the Student Health Challenge include members of Group B: Lara Witt (University of Saskatchewan), Saruul Uuganbayar (University of Saskatchewan), Olivia D鈥橲ilva (杏吧原创 University), Veronique Poulin (杏吧原创 University) and Devin Young (Michigan State University). Their comprehensive and thorough strategy coupled with a fantastic animated video was the clear, concise and practical approach to global health issue, is what I believe was their key to success.

One of the Group B鈥檚 most important recommendations was to increase the awareness and discussion surrounding AMR. This is particularly important to evoke a sense of urgency in the public, using existing variety of social media platforms to access diverse populations quickly and frequently.

The most innovative ideas, and what I felt would be the most effective, was the creation of an app or software to track AMR using geographic location and also suggest organizing multiple international scholarships incentivising non-governmental organizations, and student groups to develop innovative, creative and probable ways to contain and control antibiotic resistance.

Overall, this project was a fantastic way for students to develop innovative solutions to intricate and complicated universal issues.

When asked what she felt was the most important thing she learned from the challenge, Veronique from 杏吧原创 University stressed, 鈥溾�� the importance of incorporating every group member鈥檚 perspective, in order to create an innovative and comprehensive final solution.鈥�

It is true that many believe the collaboration of students at different professional levels and varied disciplinary backgrounds led to a well- rounded and thorough strategy.

Lara from the University of Saskatchewan said, 鈥淧lacing our suggestions into an animated video made them aesthetic and engaging for the audience.鈥�

This is particularly important for global leaders currently tackling major issues. We must ensure their work is translatable and understandable for lay people, as well as eye catching and engaging as Lara stated. An engaging presentation ensures that people will stick around and listen to what is said, they have to care about these issues in order for them to pass information along to their peers.

So two main themes to take away from the project: 1) assemble a team of people from varied professional levels, varied interests and disciplines and 2) Ensure information is universally understandable.

Finally, it is our hope the One Health perspective is adopted by people around the globe and the Student Health Challenge becomes common place in educational and research institutions as both lead to a more collaborative and 颅颅well versed world.

Being a leader can be one of the toughest positions to find yourself in. Are you an autocratic leader? Democratic? Transformational or even a team leader? It can be challenging to find an approach that reflects your personality but is also helpful for the team that you are working with. It often requires some distance and perspective to truly discover your role in the team…

Seven, experienced and passionate graduate and PHD students from diverse disciplines at 杏吧原创 University, Michigan State University and the University of Saskatchewan, acted as the mentors to students tackling the issue of antibiotic resistance (AMR) in the recent Student聽HEALtH Challenge. Their knowledge in science, health, law, engineering, and more, allowed undergraduate participants access to a wonderful resource and sounding board to voice their plan to approach this colossal global health issue. And though the Student HEALtH Challenge was created for undergraduate students, mentors also had one of their own. Where do they fit into the team?

Well, Mentor Huiyun, from Michigan State University shared a noteworthy experience, 鈥淢y group is very self-motivated and they are passionate about the project. My colleague and I decided to stay silent for most of time and watch their work instead of leading them to a certain direction.鈥� Although it may seem contradictive, taking a step back is sometimes the best way to be a leader. Without an overbearing presence looming over the students, it allowed space for creativity, the exploration of unconventional ideas, and the development of a truly innovative, eventually winning strategy.

But leadership may not always be that easy. Through the stress of midterms and papers to write, students struggled to maintain their commitment to the challenge. This left a couple mentors in a particularly tricky situation. With less members in the team, remaining students inherited more responsibility and work to complete. Observing this struggle, the group mentors were quick to help wherever needed while maintaining enough distance to ensure their thoughts did not colour the team鈥檚 strategy. These mentors easily integrated themselves into the group as equals with student participants. Increased presence, dialogue and guidance was all that was needed to create a thorough and well researched strategic plan. These mentors were team players and truly worked in cohesion with undergraduates in order to be successful.

Though these are only two examples of leadership and different leadership styles, it becomes obvious that it is less about what a leader is capable of and more about the acknowledgement of a team and its dynamics. Sometimes, that requires taking charge of a situation and putting a team鈥檚 vision into action. Other times, allowing yourself to be the person behind the scenes providing resources, encouragement and criticism when needed, appears to 鈥榣ead鈥� a group to success.

So whether you are a new student or accomplished scholar, the next time you are having trouble determining where your leadership skills will come in to play, first consider what the team鈥檚 goal. Provide what they need and offer guidance along the way.

The聽Student聽HEALtH Challenge which ended Saturday, March. 18th was only a glimpse of what is possible.

Students from 杏吧原创 University, Michigan State University and University of Saskatchewan and within diverse disciplines worked in groups and collaborated to develop the best approach to the critical global health issue, antibiotic resistance (AMR). After a month of intensive research and team collaboration each team created a strategy to tackle this very urgent issue.

But what makes this challenge so great?

First, involving students from across disciplines and regions broadens the scope of which students view the issue. While a biology student may be interested in what makes microbes resistant and how resistance transfers at the genetic level, a law student may consider how policy changes affect the way different countries restrict antimicrobials. With these perspectives, students are capable to developing a well – rounded approach that acknowledges the intricacies of this global health issue.

Secondly, students adopt and spread the One Wellness mindset. Unfortunately, One Wellness is not a concept taught in class. Rather it is a learned way of thinking that curves away from a narrow, one sided perspective and forces individuals to consider the effects on external factors such as the environment, and wildlife.

Shiney, from the University of Saskatchewan stated, 鈥�… I think it encouraged me to always question what I am thinking鈥︹�� She now, considers whether her thoughts encompass the many aspects of our world. Many students found it enlightening to finally understand how human lives are interwoven with wildlife and environment. Therefore, applying the One Wellness approach to antibiotic resistance is an efficient of informing others of the domino effect of simple yet nonsensical actions. A common mistake is failing to complete, enhancing antibiotic resistance in humans.

These students can apply this process of thinking to other aspects of their lives and even share it with family, friends, co 鈥� workers and professors in the hopes teaching others how their actions may have a greater effect than what meets the eye.

Lastly, an overwhelming number of students believe projects like the Student HEALtH Challenge is a fantastic way to get young people involved in global health issues. With some time, research and collaboration, students developed innovative strategies to tackle antimicrobial resistance. Devin from Michigan State University explained, 鈥淟earning to work with individuals from other countries and universities is a valuable skill for anyone in any field.鈥� He goes on to say that this is a great way to tackle such intricate and complicated issues, such as AMR.

They challenged current policies that impede progress and offered a glimpse of barriers such as extreme poverty and lack of economic resources that make this issue so difficult to overcome. But most importantly, students experience AMR with 鈥榝resh eyes鈥� and share new, intriguing perspectives and solutions that should not be ignored.

It is our hope that the聽Student聽HEALtH Challenge and similar projects continue to grow in awareness and students become excited to be the advocates for innovative global health development.