Erika Friedmann, PhD

HomeDirectoryErika Friedmann, PhD
Erika Friedmann, PhD
  • Professor Emerita
    Faculty Emeriti
Email:

Education

  • PhD, Biology , University of Pennsylvania

Contracts, Fellowships, Grants, and Sponsored Research

  • Date:
    2021 - 2026
    Title:
    Dog and Cat Adoption: The Longitudinal Impact on Human Health and Wellness
    Sponsoring Organization:
    Waltham / AAH-ABV Consortium
    Role:
    Principal
  • Date:
    2019 - 2023
    Title:
    Evaluating the Efficacy of a Service Dog Training Program for Military Veterans with PTSD
    Sponsoring Organization:
    National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
    Role:
    Principal
  • Date:
    2016 - 2022
    Title:
    Pet ownership and successful aging: A longitudinal cohort study
    Sponsoring Organization:
    Mars/WALTHAM
    Role:
    Principal

Research Interests

  • Integration of biological social and psychological factors into health and health related behaviors; Stress and alleviation of stress; Human-animal interaction; Research methods and multivariate approaches to analyses of health-related data

Publications

  • Gee, N. R., Townsend, L., Friedmann, E., Barker, S. & Mueller, M. (2025, July (3rd Quarter/Summer) 25). A pilot randomized controlled trial to examine the impact of a therapy dog intervention on depression, mood, and anxiety in hospitalized older adults. Healthcare, 13 (15), 1819. MDPI AG. doi:10.3390/healthcare13151819
  • Friedmann, E., Krause-Parello, C. A., Yount, R. & Taber, D. (2025, November 2). Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Does participating in a service dog training program reduce their symptoms?. Anthrozoös, 38 (6), 1107-1119. Informa UK Limited. doi:10.1080/08927936.2025.2568291
  • Koodaly, L.. Pet attachment and influence as moderators of the relationships of psychological factors to physical function in community-residing older adults. Pets.
  • Krause-Parello, C. A., Friedmann, E., Taber, D., Zhu, H., Quintero, A. & Yount, R. (2025, August 29). Veterans training service dogs for other veterans: An animal-assisted intervention for post-traumatic stress disorder. Behavioral Sciences, 15 (9), 1180. MDPI AG. doi:10.3390/bs15091180
  • Friedmann, E. (2025, November 25). Pet Ownership, Pet Attachment, and Longitudinal Changes in Psychological Health—Evidence from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Geriatrics, 10 (6), 156. MDPI AG. doi:10.3390/geriatrics10060156
  • Friedmann, E., Gee, N., Simonsick, E., Resnick, B., Gurlu, M. & Shim, S. (2024, December 31). Pet attachment and retained physical function in community residing older adult pet owners. Innovation in Aging, 8 (Supplement_1), 360-360. Oxford University Press (OUP). doi:10.1093/geroni/igae098.1173
  • Friedmann, E.. A systematic review of pet attachment and health outcomes in older adults.. Pets.
  • Friedmann, E. (2025, November 25). Pet Ownership, Pet Attachment, and Longitudinal Changes in Psychological Health—Evidence from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Geriatrics, 10 (6), 156. MDPI AG. doi:10.3390/geriatrics10060156
  • Gee, N. R., Townsend, L., Friedmann, E., Barker, S. B. & Mueller, M. K. (2024, November 13). A pilot randomized controlled trial to examine the impact of a therapy dog intervention on loneliness in adult patients hospitalized in a psychiatric unit. Albert, S. M. (Ed.). Innovation in Aging, 8 (11). Oxford University Press (OUP). doi:10.1093/geroni/igae085

See a full list of published work.

Presentations

  • Year:
    2025
    Title:
    Veterans and their Companion Dogs: Examining the Effect on Psychosocial Health
    Conference/Meeting Name:
    Sigma International
    Location:
    Seattle WA
  • Year:
    2025
    Title:
    Healthy aging and pet caretaking: Findings for the Health and Retirement Study
    Conference/Meeting Name:
    Sigma International
    Location:
    Seattle WA
  • Year:
    2025
    Title:
    Feasibility of Recruiting Psychiatrically Hospitalized Adults for a Randomized Controlled Trial of an Animal-Assisted Intervention
    Conference/Meeting Name:
    International Society for Anthrozoology
    Location:
    Saskatoon Canada
  • Year:
    2025
    Title:
    A Longitudinal Study to Assess Health and Wellness in Pet Adopters Vs. Non-Pet Owners
    Conference/Meeting Name:
    Western Institute of Nursing
    Location:
    Spokane WA
  • Year:
    2024
    Title:
    Veterans with service, emotional support, and companion dogs: Examining the relationship among demographics, health characteristics, and intensity of the human-dog relationship
    Conference/Meeting Name:
    CANS
    Location:
    Washington DC
  • Year:
    2024
    Title:
    Veterans with service, emotional support, and companion dogs: An examination of the human-dog relationship and resulting health outcomes
    Conference/Meeting Name:
    Partnerships for Veteran and Military Health
    Location:
    Aurora CO
  • Year:
    2024
    Title:
    Relationship of Pet Attachment to Deterioration of Cognitive Function in Community Residing Older Adult Pet Owners: Evidence from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA)
    Conference/Meeting Name:
    International Society for Anthrozoology
    Location:
    Hartpury United Kingdom
  • Year:
    2024
    Title:
    Pet Attachment and Retained Physical Function in Community Residing Older Adult Pet Owners
    Conference/Meeting Name:
    Gerontological Society of America
    Location:
    Seattle WA

Primary Teaching Areas

  • Research methods/statistics

Honors/Awards

  • Name:
    Distinguished Anthrozoologist Award
    Sponsoring organization:
    International Society for Anthrozoology
    Date:
    July 2019
  • Name:
    Jane M. Kirschling Excellence in Leadership Award
    Sponsoring organization:
    University of Maryland School of Nursing
    Date:
    December 2018
  • Name:
    Honoarary Membership
    Sponsoring organization:
    Sigman theta Tau International
    Date:
    October 2017
  • Name:
    Fellow
    Sponsoring organization:
    International Society for Anthrozoology
    Date:
    July 2016
  • Name:
    Johannes Odendaal Award
    Sponsoring organization:
    International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations (IAHAIO)
    Date:
    July 2016

Academic and Professional Activities

Professional

  • Organization:
    Deputy Editor, Anthrozoos
    Role:
    Editorial Review Board Member
  • Organization:
    Triservice Nursing Research Program
    Role:
    Grant Reviewer/Referee
  • Organization:
    International Society for Anthrozoology
    Role:
    Board of Directors