My research interests focus on child and adolescent health issues, specifically child sexual abuse, body image, intimate partner violence, and quality of life issues in vulnerable populations. I have also conducted research in medically underserved populations, faith-based organizations and abstinence education. More recent research includes examining the human-animal interaction and the use of animals, especially horses, as therapy partners in programs with at-risk youth, children with Autism, and military service members, which has been supported through the Horses and Humans Research Foundation, Texas Resources for Iraq-Afghanistan Deployment Fund, and internal grants.
As an extension of my research, I served as chair of the Horses and Humans Research Foundation research task force and chair of the Health and Education Advisory Committee for Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International.
