Tag: research

Boarding kennels: are dog kennels cruel?

Post author By Human Animal Science
Post date September 25, 2014
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Are dog kennels cruel?

What happens when your scientific study results contradict all previous research in that area?

Science can be surprising, and for Dr Lisa Collins, researcher in Animal Health and Welfare Epidemiology at the University of Lincoln, UK, that’s part of the challenge – and the fun!

Lisa’s research focuses on the development and application of mathematical and statistical methods for the study of animal health and welfare in a wide range of species.

She has recently led three research projects to investigate the welfare of kennelled dogs.

This includes a 3-year study conducted in dog rehoming centres, where the aim was to develop a tool to assess Quality of Life based on a wide range of novel and traditional welfare indicators.

Lisa has been awarded a number of prizes for her work, including the 2014 British Science Association Charles Darwin award for excellence in science communication, and the 2010 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare’s Young Animal Welfare Scientist of the Year award.

In this episode, we speak with Lisa about her work comparing the welfare physiology and behaviour of pets dogs at home and in a boarding kennel environment, with some unexpected findings.

Are dog kennels cruel? Let’s find out.

Podcast

Publications

Dr. Lisa Collins – Are dog kennels cruel?

Kiddie, J. L., & Collins, L. M. (2014). Development and validation of a quality of life assessment tool for use in kennelled dogs (Canis familiaris). Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 158, 57-68.

Part, C. E., Kiddie, J. L., Hayes, W., Mills, D., Neville, R. F., Morton, D. B., & Collins, L. M. (2014). Physiological, physical and behavioural changes in dogs (Canis familiaris) when kennelled: Testing the validity of stress parameters. Physiology & behavior, 133, 260-271.

Collins, L. M. (2012). Welfare risk assessment: the benefits and common pitfalls. Animal Welfare, 21(Supplement 1), 73-79.

Asher, L., Collins, L. M., Ortiz-Pelaez, A., Drewe, J. A., Nicol, C. J., & Pfeiffer, D. U. (2009). Recent advances in the analysis of behavioural organization and interpretation as indicators of animal welfare. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, doi:10.1098/rsif.2009.0221.

More publications by Dr. Lisa Collins via ResearchGate

Links

Lisa Collins on Twitter

LinkedIn: Lisa Collins

Header image: Flickr/Jeff Hill

Archaeology

Zooarchaeology: bones to answer beastly questions

Post author By Human Animal Science
Post date August 26, 2014
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Zooarchaeology

This episode of Human Animal Science will change the way you look at a chicken wishbone, forever!

Naomi Sykes is an Associate Professor in Zooarchaeology (the study of human-animal relationships in archaeology) at the University of Nottingham, UK.

Her research focuses on human-animal-landscape relationships and how they inform us about the structure, beliefs and practices of past societies.

Naomi’s approach in the exciting area of zooarchaeology has wide application across different geographical areas and time.

Her fascinating research integrates animal bone data with other categories of physical culture, and with wider archaeological, historical, scientific and anthropological discussions.

Podcast

Books

Beastly Questions: Animal Answers to Archaeological Issues, Naomi Sykes — Beastly Questions

Sykes, N. (2014) Beastly Questions: Animal Answers to Archaeological Issues, Bloomsbury Academic.

Publications

Sykes, N. (2012) A social perspective on the introduction of exotic animals: the case of the British chicken, World Archaeology 44(1): 158-169.

Sykes, N. (2004). The dynamics of status symbols: Wildfowl exploitation in England AD 410–1550. The Archaeological Journal, 161, 82-105.

Links

Naomi Sykes - Zooarchaeologist — Naomi Sykes – Zooarchaeologist

Beastly Questions (book) profile: Bloomsbury

Cultural and scientific perceptions of human-chicken interactions (SciCultChickens)

Header image: Flickr/Juan Chamorro

Psychology

Sam Gosling: Animal personality

Post author By Human Animal Science
Post date July 1, 2014
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Animal personality

Sam Gosling is a psychologist based at the University of Texas at Austin in the USA.

His research interests include social perception, new methods of data collection online and cross-species work, where he examines how animals can inform theories of personality and social psychology.

We talked with Sam about how science can help us measure animal personality traits (non-human) across a number of species, including hyenas, dogs, and even invertebrates, like squid.

Podcast

Publications

Sam Gosling discusses animal personalities — Sam Gosling

Gosling, S. D., & John, O. P. (1999). Personality dimensions in nonhuman animals a cross-species review. Current Directions in Psychological Science,8(3), 69-75.

Gosling, S. D. (2001). From mice to men: what can we learn about personality from animal research?. Psychological bulletin, 127(1), 45.

Gosling, S. D., & Vazire, S. (2002). Are we barking up the right tree? Evaluating a comparative approach to personality. Journal of Research in Personality,36(6), 607-614.

Gosling, S. D. (2008). Personality in Non‐human Animals. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 2(2), 985-1001.

Sinn, D. L., Gosling, S. D., & Hilliard, S. (2010). Personality and performance in military working dogs: Reliability and predictive validity of behavioral tests. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 127(1), 51-65.

Links

Gosling Lab at the University of Texas, Austin

Top image via Flickr/malingering

Animal Welfare Community

Healthy communities: dogs and people

Post author By Human Animal Science
Post date June 12, 2014
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Dogs in Aboriginal communities

Sophie Constable, Education Officer at Animal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities (AMRRIC), has training as a veterinarian, in Indigenous education, and in public health.

She has worked in the field in pet education programs in urban, rural and remote Indigenous communities.

In this episode of Human Animal Science, we chat to Sophie about her research exploring the place of dogs in modern Indigenous communities in Australia and how best to promote the mutual health of dogs and communities.

Podcast

Publications

Constable, S. E., Brown, G., Dixon, R. M., & Dixon, R. (2008). Healing the hand that feeds you: exploring solutions for Dog and Community Health and Welfare in Australian Indigenous cultures. Faculty of Education-Papers, 219-229.

Constable, S., Dixon, R., & Dixon, R. (2010). For the Love of Dog: The Human Dog Bond in Rural and Remote Australian Indigenous Communities .Anthrozoos: A Multidisciplinary Journal of The Interactions of People & Animals, 23(4), 337-349.

Constable, S. E., Dixon, R. M., Dixon, R. J., & Toribio, J. A. (2013). Approaches to dog health education programs in Australian rural and remote Indigenous communities: four case studies. Health promotion international,28(3), 322-332.

Links

AMRRIC

Images courtesy of AMRRIC

Psychology

Animal attraction & human animal interaction: positive youth development

Post author By Human Animal Science
Post date May 12, 2014
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Animal attraction and human animal interaction

Dr Megan Mueller is a developmental psychologist working in the Cummings School of veterinary medicine at Tufts University (USA).

Megan’s own passion for animals led her to scientifically examine the roles they play in human health and positive development for children, families and communities.

In this episode of Human Animal Science, we speak to Megan about her recent research looking at human animal interaction and positive youth development.

Podcast

Links

Megan Mueller - Animal attraction and human animal interaction — Megan Mueller

Megan Mueller – Tufts University Profile

Publications

Mueller, M. K. (2014). Is Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) Linked to Positive Youth Development? Initial Answers. Applied Developmental Science, 18(1), 5-16.

Mueller, M. K. (2014). The Relationship between Types of Human–Animal Interaction and Attitudes about Animals: An Exploratory Study. Anthrozoos: A Multidisciplinary Journal of The Interactions of People & Animals, 27(2), 295-308.

Mueller, M. K. (2014). Human-Animal Interaction as a Context for Positive Youth Development: A Relational Developmental Systems Approach to Constructing Human-Animal Interaction Theory and Research. Human Development, 57(1), 5-25.

More of Megan’s publications via Google Scholar

Photo: Flickr/stuckincustoms

Therapy

Amazing tails: Reading with dogs

Post author By Human Animal Science
Post date April 8, 2014
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Reading with dogs

Dr Holly Lane is an Associate Professor in the School of Special Education, School Psychology and Early Childhood Studies at the University of Florida’s College of Education.

Her research focuses on literacy intervention and prevention of reading difficulties through effective early literacy instruction and teacher education.

Holly’s first observations as a classroom teacher with her own dog, Floyd, led her to notice how dogs helped to motivate students.

Fast forward to now, and she’s getting the opportunity to research the growing field of canine-assisted reading programs, with promising future directions.

Listen in and find out what she has to say about reading with dogs!

Podcast

Links

Dr. Holly Lane - Reading with dogs — Dr. Holly Lane

Holly Lane: University of Florida Profile

Lane, H. B., & Zavada, S. D. (2013). When Reading Gets Ruff: Canine‐Assisted Reading Programs.
The Reading Teacher, 67(2): 87-95.

Publications

Friesen, L. (2010). Potential for the role of school-based animal-assisted literacy mentoring programs. Language and Literacy, 12(1): 21-37.

Smith, C. S. (2009). An Analysis and Evaluation of Sit Stay Read: Is the Program Effective in Improving Student Engagement and Reading Outcomes?. EdD Dissertation. National Louis University.

Going to the Dogs: Can a canine help your child learn to read? Psychology Today

Photo: Steven Pam | Smartshots Photography

Tags animal, anthrozoology, assisted, books, Canine, children, classroom, Dog, dogs, Holly Lane, Human Animal Science, library, literacy, podcast, program, reading, Reading with Dogs, research, Science, therapy

Psychology

Hal Herzog: animals, culture & us

Post author By Human Animal Science
Post date March 25, 2014
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Hal Herzog animals culture and us

Hal Herzog is recognised as one of the world’s leading anthrozoology experts, having researched human-animal relations for over two decades.

He is particularly interested in how people negotiate real-world ethical dilemmas, and has studied animal activists, cockfighters, animal researchers and circus animal trainers.

A professor of psychology at Western Carolina University, Hal blogs at Psychology Today and his work has been widely published in journals and books.

It was our absolute pleasure to talk with Hal about some of the themes from his book, Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: why it’s so hard to think straight about animals.

Amongst many tangents, we discuss why people keep pets, charismatic mega-fauna and the variation in the way humans relate to animals across cultures.

Podcast

Publications

Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: why it’s so hard to think straight about animals – Amazon Australia, Amazon US.

Knight, S., & Herzog, H. (2009). All creatures great and small: New perspectives on psychology and human–animal interactions. Journal of Social Issues, 65(3), 451-461.

Herzog, H. A. (2007) Gender differences in human-animal interactions: A review. Anthrozoos. 20:17-21.

Other publications via WCU website

Links

Western Carolina University Profile

Twitter: @herzoghal

Psychology Today Blog: Animals and Us

Behaviour

Aggressive behaviour in dogs: science that bites

Post author By Human Animal Science
Post date March 13, 2014
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Understanding aggressive behaviour in dogs

Dr Rachel Casey is a veterinary surgeon, animal behaviourist and welfare scientist working at the University of Bristol Veterinary School in the United Kingdom.

Rachel has a PhD in animal behaviour and leads a research group investigating aspects of companion animal behaviour and welfare.

Her recent research on aggressive behaviour in dogs has highlighted important new information regarding prevalence, risk factors and occurrence in difference contexts.

The findings might not be what you expect.

Podcast

Links

Rachel Casey’s Blog: Reigning Cats and Dogs

Follow Rachel on Twitter: @DrRachelCasey

Publications

Casey, RA, Loftus, BA, Bolster, C, Richards, GJ & Blackwell, E-J 2013, ‘Inter-dog aggression in a UK owner survey: prevalence, co-occurrence in different contexts and risk factors’. Veterinary Record, vol 172.

Casey, RA, Loftus, BA, Bolster, C, Richards, GJ & Blackwell, E-J 2013, ‘Human directed aggression in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris): occurrence in different contexts and risk factors’. Applied Animal Behaviour Science.

Bradshaw, J, Blackwell, E & Casey, R 2009,‘Dominance in domestic dogs: useful construct or bad habit ?’. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, vol 4., pp. 135 – 144

Image credit: Flickr/FredArmitage

Pets Research

Free roaming cats: attack of the unknowns

Post author By Human Animal Science
Post date February 24, 2014
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Free Roaming Cats Part 2

In Part 2 (catch up on Part 1 here) of our conversation with Mark Farnworth of Unitec Institute of Technology in Auckland, New Zealand, we learn what the scientific research can tell us about the success of methods to control free roaming (owned and unowned) cat populations – and what it can’t.

We talk about Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) versus lethal control, where does responsibility lie and can an effective population management compromise be reached without all the facts?

Podcast

Free roaming cats: a phantom menace?

Post author By Human Animal Science
Post date February 11, 2014
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Mark Farnsworth - Free roaming cats

Mark Farnworth, from the Department of Natural Sciences at Unitec Institute of Technology in Auckland, New Zealand, is curious about cats.

Cats as pets and cats as pests. Are cats a threat to biodiversity or are they possible caretakers of biodiversity?

This interview was fascinating, and the topic complex, so we are releasing it in two parts.

In this – part one – we introduce Mark’s research examining the issues, impact and attitudes toward free roaming (both owned and unowned) cat populations in New Zealand.

Part two can be found here.