Lab Member Spotlight: Kylie Gannon Represents the Vet Psych Lab at the 2026 APS Convention

Graduate student Kylie Gannon presented research at the 2026 Association for Psychological Science (APS) Annual Convention in Barcelona, Spain. Her poster – “Veterinary Healthcare Workers with Higher Client-Related Burnout Show Poorer Adherence to Digital Psychoeducation Targeting Reaction to Difficult Client Interactions” – examined engagement with Unburdened-Online, a digital Acceptance and Commitment Training-based psychoeducational program, developed by our lab to help veterinary healthcare workers manage distress associated with difficult client interactions.

About the Project: The study examined user data to determine whether baseline levels of client-related burnout influenced how users engaged with the program. Findings showed that veterinary professionals with higher client-related burnout were less likely to complete program modules and homework activities. Results suggest that the individuals who might benefit most from supportive interventions may also face the greatest barriers to sustained engagement.

The APS Annual Convention provided an opportunity for Kylie to share this work with an international audience of psychological scientists and highlight the Veterinary Psychology Lab's ongoing research aimed at promoting wellbeing within the veterinary profession.

Interested in becoming a graduate student in the Vet Psych Lab? We will be sharing information about our next graduate student application cycle soon. Stay tuned for updates!