Lead Researcher

Dr. Maggie O’Haire is an internationally recognized Fulbright Scholar who is currently the Associated Dean for Research and a Professor of Human-Animal Interaction at the University of Arizona. She earned her BA in Psychology from Vassar College in New York and her PhD in Psychology from The University of Queensland in Australia. Her research program focuses on the unique and pervasive ways that humans interact with animals. From research with household pets to highly trained service animals, her findings have been instrumental in evaluating the effects of human-animal interactions.

Clinical Research Assistant

Ayesha joined the OHAIRE Lab as a student research assistant in January 2023, and as staff in January 2026. She has a Bachelors of Science in Veterinary Science from the University of Arizona. Her research experience has deepened her interest in evidence-based veterinary medicine, behavioral health, and service animal welfare. Outside the lab, she is Co-founder/President of Collar Scholars, a service dog training club. Ayesha loves to travel and spend time with her family and friends. She also plans to attend veterinary school while continuing research and advocacy for service animals.

Clinical Research Coordinator

Jocie earned her BS in Physiology at the University of Arizona and discovered her passion for research while doing her honors thesis on animal-assisted interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Prior to joining the OHAIRE Lab in April of 2024, she worked in the Department of Pediatrics for 6+ years conducting clinical trials that focused on potential new treatments for symptoms associated with ASD. Jocie is also one of your main points of contact for all things SERVES! In her free time, Jocie loves reading, doing home projects, and spending time with her husband, family, friends, and 3 dogs.

Clinical Research Assistant

Ella joined the OHAIRE lab in August of 2025. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Arizona. Ella was a Research Fellow under Dr. Ashley Huggins before joining the SERVES project. Her research interests include treatments for stress and anxiety related disorders such as PTSD and GAD. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, thrifting, and running. Ella is planning to apply to Clinical Psychology PhD programs.

Clinical Research Assistant

Matt joined the OHAIRE Lab in March of 2026. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at The University of Arizona. His research passion lies in understanding the effects and remedies of trauma. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology to further this. In his free time, Matt loves to ski, cook, and spend quality time with loved ones, including his three cats.

Senior Research Scientist

Dr. Kristy vanMarle joined O'Haire Lab in 2024 and is a Senior Research Scientist working on the SERVES Study and related projects. Prior to that, Kristy was an associate professor at the University of Missouri for 17 years, teaching developmental psychology and leading a research team studying early cognitive development in young infants. She earned her BA from the University of Arizona in 1997 and completed her PhD at Yale University in 2004. Kristy is delighted to be back home in Tucson and even more delighted to be a part of the SERVES research team!

Research Scientist

Dr. Stephanie Bristol earned her BA in Exercise and Sport Science and Spanish at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before obtaining her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the Medical University of South Carolina. She worked as a pediatric occupational therapist for several years before returning to UNC Chapel Hill to complete her PhD. Before joining the OHAIRE lab, Stephanie’s research focused on human-canine interaction with a special interest in autism service dogs.

Research Scientist

Dr. Clare Jensen joined the OHAIRE lab in January of 2018. She graduated from Purdue University in 2023 with a Ph.D. in Human-Animal Interaction. Her research focuses on the effects and characteristics of professional dogs working in children’s hospitals and as service dogs for veterans with PTSD. In her free time, Clare loves making art, building things, and going camping with her labradoodle, Luke.

Research Scientist

Dr. Sarah Leighton has been with the OHAIRE Lab since 2021, and worked for Canine Companions from 2010-2021. She earned her PhD in Psychology from the University of Arizona in 2025. She’s a certified Service Dog Instructor who has personally trained over 100 dogs towards service dog partnership, including with veterans with PTSD. She currently volunteers her time to teach future service dog training classes at the federal prison in Tucson, and is a three-time puppy raiser herself.