Rebecca Johnson

PhD, RN, FAAN

Millsap Professor of Gerontological Nursing and Public Policy 

S413 MU Sinclair School of Nursing
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO 65211

Adjunct Associate Professor and
Director, Research Center on Human Animal Interaction (ReCHAI) MU College of Veterinary Medicine

Research Office Address
Research Center on Human Animal Interaction (ReCHAI)
MU College of Veterinary Medicine
Clydesdale Hall Annex #2

Pet-A-Pet Project Office
Rm 49 Ellis Fischel Cancer Center
Columbia, MO 65203
E-Mail: RAJohnson@missouri.edu
Phone: (573) 884-4686
Fax: (573) 884-4544

Research Description: Human-Animal Bond, Relocation of Ethnic Elders. Adult Nursing, Gerontological Nursing. Relocation of older adults, nursing home placement decision making process, sense of coherence in older adults' life transitions, human-companion animal interaction and wellness.

Nursing Specialty: Adult Nursing, Gerontological Nursing

Interest Area: Relocation of older adults, nursing home placement decision-making process, sense of coherence in older adults' life transitions, human-companion animal bond and wellness

Dr. Rebecca Johnson, PhD, RN, is a Millsap Professor of Gerontological Nursing and Public Policy at the MU Sinclair School of Nursing. Johnson is deeply committed to interdisciplinary gerontological research that promotes quality of life for our growing older adult population, which reflects the School's commitment to addressing complex problems facing older adults. Johnson, an adjunct associate professor in the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, in the College of Veterinary Medicine, is the Director of their Research Center on Human Animal Interaction (ReCHAI). She is widely known for her research on relocation of older adults and is also working in the area of the human/animal bond conducting studies pertaining to animals and older adults. In 2000, in conjunction with VET ONE, an organization dedicated to promoting the human/animal bond, she was invited to meet with the U.S. Surgeon General to acquaint him with research on the role of animals in promoting human health and well being. Johnson received her BSN in 1980 from the University of Dubuque, Iowa. In 1982, she earned her Masters in Philosophy from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. In 1988 she completed a second Master's degree at the University of Iowa, in Adult Health Nursing, and later earned her PhD in Nursing at Iowa in 1992. Johnson joined the University of Missouri-Columbia faculty in August 1999.

Honors and Awards :

• 2007, Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN)
• 2005, recipient of the University of Missouri-Columbia, William H. Byler Distinguished Professor award for outstanding abilities, performance and characterMarch 2001, Recipient of the MNRS Gerontological Nurse Researcher Award
• June 2003, recipient of the Univesity of Iowa College of Nursing Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award February 2001, inducted into Alumni Hall of Fame, Rock Valley College, Rockford, IL
• May 2001, recipient of MU Sinclair School of Nursing Excellence in Teaching Award
• May 2002, recipient of the MU School of Nursing Excellence in Research Award

Publications

Grants and Contracts

Press Releases:

Fido Fitness Trend Helps Humans Fight Fat

Pawsitive Gift

Related site:

ReCHAI Web site

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