A painting of sled dogs running on snow.
Elder and artist John Halkett created this painting as part of the Healthy Dogs, Healthy Communities project. Photo by Brandon White (b/w photo).

ATIM MASKIHKIY exhibit shares ‘dog medicine’ with community

Veterinary researcher Dr. Jordan Woodsworth (DVM) has taken a novel approach to presenting her research findings — engaging with the communities she’s working with through art.

Dr. Jordan Woodsworth, being interviewed by a film crew during a veterinary clinic held in La Ronge, Sask. Photo by Brandon White (b/w photo).

Woodsworth, a PhD student and clinical associate at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM), is studying the relationship between people and their dogs in the communities of La Ronge, Air Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band.

The Healthy Dogs, Healthy Communities project was recently featured in the Saskatoon StarPhoenix, highlighting the art exhibit titled “ATIM MASKIHKIY: Dog Medicine.”

The exhibit features 17 local artists who were commissioned to create art based on the Healthy Dogs, Healthy Communities research findings.

“The biggest takeaway is that dogs are really highly valued, and are a hugely important part of the community,” Woodsworth told the StarPhoenix.

“People have really deep emotional and spiritual connections to their dogs.”

In addition to her research work, Woodsworth has led the WCVM’s Northern Engagement and Community Outreach program since 2014, providing veterinary services to remote and underserved communities in Saskatchewan.

Read more about the “ATIM MASKIHKIY: Dog Medicine” project in the StarPhoenix.

To watch a video about the La Ronge-based artist and elder John Halkett (whose work is pictured above), click here.