Dr. Christine Kivlen is a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Doctoral Capstone Coordinator in the Department of Health Care Sciences at Wayne State University. As an occupational therapist with over 12 years of clinical experience, Dr. Kivlen specializes in mental health, human-animal interaction, and interprofessional education. She is the principal investigator of the
STELLA Lab (STudent Education Learning aLongside Animals), where she leads innovative research exploring the therapeutic potential of therapy animals in educational and clinical settings.Dr. Kivlen’s work focuses on reducing stress and anxiety through animal-assisted interventions, advancing accessibility and inclusion in therapy programs, and fostering resilience in diverse populations. She is passionate about bridging clinical practice and research to create scalable, evidence-based interventions that improve quality of life. Dr. Kivlen has been recognized for her dedication to student success and innovative teaching practices, and her research has garnered funding and partnerships that reflect her commitment to impactful scholarship.Warm, collaborative, and deeply committed to her work, Dr. Kivlen continues to inspire through her leadership in research and education.
