About Valli Fraser-Celin, PhD
I am a qualitative social science researcher with more than a decade of experience in academia and non-profits with a focus on community engagement, health equity, and human-environment relationships. I have conducted research in southern Africa and have worked in the Canadian Arctic.
I hold a PhD in Geography from the University of Guelph, where my research examined human–wildlife relationships and conservation in Botswana, integrating ecological and social science perspectives to inform evidence-based policy and practice. I completed postdoctoral research in Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary, exploring the role of dogs in Indigenous communities through a One Health and reconciliation framework. This work highlighted the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental well-being and the importance of community-driven approaches to creating meaningful change. My work is grounded in collaboration and relationship-building.
Through Wild Dogs Consulting, I support organizations with social science research, writing/editing, and knowledge translation.
My dog Husk and I in Arctic Alley in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Certifications
Engagement and Relationship-Building with Indigenous Communities, Red River College
Rabies Educator Certificate, Global Alliance for Rabies Control
The First Nations Principles of OCAP (Ownership, Control, Accessibility, Possession): Fundamentals of OCAP, The First Nations Information Governance Centre; Certified through Algonquin College
Fear Free Shelters, Fear Free: Leaders in Animal Wellbeing
Shelter Consultation Mentorship - Foundational Course, Maddie’s® Million Pet Challenge
Publications (selected)
Lévesque, F., Baril, D., Fraser-Celin V.-L. (2026). Critical assessment of media portrayals of dog problems and solutions in Indigenous communities in Canada. Anthrozoös.
Ly, L.H., Ford, J., Fraser-Celin, V.-L, Morales, C., Beltran, B., Hawes, S.M. (2026). “It’s becoming a privilege to own a pet” - Pet acquisition experiences for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) families in four U.S. cities. Journal of Shelter Medicine and Community Animal Health. Under peer review.
Hawes, S.M., Morales, C., Beltran, D., Gutierrez, L.J., Romero, C., Fraser-Celin, V.-L., Townsend, A. (2026). “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know” - the need for racial equity and pet inclusivity in the natural disaster response to the 2021 Bowling Green tornados. Journal of One Health Systems. Under peer review.
Hawes, S.M., Ford, J., Ly, L., Fraser-Celin, V.-L., and Morales, C. (2025). Gatekeeping pet ownership: the challenges and opportunities for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) pet acquisition in Atlanta, Miami, Minneapolis, and Philadelphia. Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE). Available at: https://careawo.org/rd
Rausch, Q…Fraser-Celin V.-L. et al., (2025). Access to veterinary care in Canada: a cross-sectional survey of animal healthcare organizations and interventions. Sec. Veterinary Humanities and Social Sciences.
Rutherford, S., Fraser-Celin, V.-L., Hager, H.A., Fox, L. & Hofman, A. (2024) The social landscape of wolves in Canada – preliminary findings. Human Dimensions of Wildlife. https://doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2024.2360741
Fraser-Celin, V.-L. & Rock, M.J. (2022) One Health and reconciliation: media portrayals of dogs and Indigenous communities in Canada. Health Promotion International, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daab110
Fraser-Celin, V.L. & Hovorka, A.J. (2019) Compassionate Conservation: Exploring the Lives of African Wild Dogs (Lycaon pictus) in Botswana. Animals, DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9010016
Fraser-Celin, V.L., Hovorka, A.J., Silver, J.J. (2018) Human conflict over wildlife: exploring social constructions of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in Botswana. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2018.1443528