Sociology 2020 Newsletter

SOCIOLOGY NEWSLETTER | Issue #5 Lucy Schmitz, Dr. Rachel Schmitz, and Pete’s Pet Posse Here at Oklahoma State University, we strive to prioritize research, which is why we love that research shows that dogs can improve your health in a variety of ways, from mental and emotional health to physical benefits! Pete’s Pet Posse, also known as P3, is Oklahoma State’s group of pet therapy teams consisting of at least 37 different dogs across OSU campuses. More than 60 teams have participated since the program began in Fall 2013. From therapy sessions to special events and appearances, P3 has helped reach over 60,000 student, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of OSU. The Department of Sociology is lucky to have a very popular P3 team with us, Lucy Schmitz and Dr. Rachel Schmitz ! Lucy and Dr. Schmitz belong to the 7 th graduating class of Pete’s Pet Posse, and Lucy continues to play an important role in our Department of Sociology community. Moreover, in support of OSU’s continued efforts towards health, the pair regularly attend events various student events, recruitment opportunities, and training sessions across the Stillwater campus. Earlier in the Spring 2020 semester, the “First Cowgirl,” Ann Hargis, paid a visit to the Department of Sociology to see Lucy in action. Ann Hargis is known for being a founding member and driving force of Pete’s Pet Posse through a cooperative effort of many offices at OSU. In just a few years, Ann’s passion for the health of the OSU community has been expounded upon by the various time and efforts of therapy teams across OSU’s community. Dr. Schmitz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology, and some of her current research involves working with LGBTQ+ young people experiencing homelessness to understand their perspectives on the role of companion animals in their lives within the context of their mental health. In addition to research, Dr. Schmitz is highly committed to teaching socially and culturally diverse groups of students, as well as pursuing research and publication collaborations with underrepresented students, such as students of color and LGBTQ+ students.