Dr. Kerstin Meints, University of Lincoln – Thursday 7th November 2024, 7-8pm: Understanding dog body language – insights from research and practice, and an interactive training.
Abstract:
Dogs are part of many families and households and are often seen as social partners, friends and companions. They can reduce loneliness and stress and often make it easier to establish social contacts. They are also often used in therapeutic and educational contexts, for example as therapy support, in hospitals, nursing homes and also as educational support in schools and nurseries. In order to promote human-dog interactions that are safe for adults and children and at the same time ensuring dog’ welfare, it is important that we learn to understand their signalling. This lecture gives an overview of how children and adults misunderstand the body language of dogs. Furthermore, a training for adults and children is presented that promotes the recognition and correct interpretation of dog signals in order to enable safe interactions between humans and dogs.
Role & Service dogs for military veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): What are they, what do they do, and are they effective? – Thursday 3rd October 2024, 7-8pm
Dr. Kerri Rodriguez, University of Arizona
Dr. Kerri Rodriguez is an Assistant Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Arizona. As the director of the Human-Animal Bond Lab (HAB Lab), her research explores the role and impacts of the human-animal bond for human well-being across a variety of settings, populations, and contexts. Before starting her lab at the University of Arizona, Dr. Rodriguez received her Ph.D. in Human-Animal Interaction from the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine and completed a postdoctoral research fellowship with the Human-Animal Bond In Colorado at Colorado State University. Dr. Rodriguez is an internationally recognized scholar of human-animal interaction, serving on several advisory boards including Fetch Pet Insurance, Pet Partners, and American Humane. She is also on the editorial board of the journals Human-Animal Interactions and Frontiers in Veterinary Science. Most recently, Dr. Rodriguez was awarded the 2024 Early Career Award from the International Society of Anthrozoology.
Abstract: Psychiatric service dogs are becoming increasingly popular as a complementary intervention for military veterans with PTSD. But what exactly do they do, and importantly, are they effective? Dr. Rodriguez will discuss emerging research in this field, including current findings on how PTSD service dogs benefit military veterans and future directions.
Cat personality. PADA: an assessment tool to let you know your furry friend. – Thursday 5th September 2024, 7-8pm
Dr. Christine Olsen, ICOFA: PADA
Dr. Olsen is both a cat and dog behaviorist, and a certified dog instructor. For several years she held the position of Felino technician at Royal Canin. Notably, she spearheaded the development of the Personality Assessment of Domestic Animals (PADA), a screening test to evaluate the suitability of animals—like cats, dogs, horses, and farm animals—for roles in AAS. Throughout her career, Dr. Olsen has collaborated on numerous international projects, building a vast international network that encompasses some of the most respected figures in the AAI field. Many of these individuals are now staunch supporters of the International Community of Anthrozoology (ICofA), a global community that unites practitioners, researchers, educators, and professionals in the realm of anthrozoology.
Abstract: In this lecture, I will introduce a tool designed to assess your cat’s personality. Understanding your cat on a deeper level will not only enhance your relationship but also contribute to your cat’s overall well-being. Additionally, I will explore the potential for collaboration between you and your cat in animal-assisted services, provided that your cat’s personality is well-suited to such activities. Working together in this capacity can be enriching for both you and your cat, while also offering significant benefits to clients, such as aiding in their recovery and improving their quality of life. I will share examples of best practices in animal-assisted services involving cats, including both visiting cat-handler teams and resident cats. We will discuss the ideal traits for a cat participating in these services, methods for evaluating these characteristics, and strategies for effectively matching cat-handler teams with the specific needs of clients.
“I’ll never forget that day”: The long term impacts of childhood pet loss on adult wellbeing. – Thursday 4th July 2024, 7-8pm:
The research to be presented was performed by Exeter Anthrozoology as Symbiotic Ethics (EASE) working group members, Prof Samantha Hurn, Dr Alexander Badman-King, Dr Fenella Eason, and Dr Emily Stone as part of a SCAS-Funded project, How Best to Say Goodbye. The team investigated how children can best be supported following the death of a companion animal.
Abstract: The literature on children and companion animals has largely reported their relationships favourably. However, this framing neglects negative experiences that may impact children following the loss of a companion animal. In this SCAS funded research, we initially sought to explore whether childhood grief following companion animal loss was disenfranchised and to understand the impacts of that loss on children’s wellbeing. However, due to the restrictions imposed by the covid pandemic, we were unable to collect data directly from children and instead turned our attention to the longitudinal impacts of childhood companion animal loss into adulthood. Our adult participants were invited (in interviews and surveys) to reflect on their childhood experiences of companion animal loss and through that process, participants also considered how those experiences had impacted on different aspects of their post-loss lives. Participants reported experiencing disenfranchised and complicated grief which persisted over an extended period, and in many cases, into adulthood. Many participants found being shielded from companion animal death to be harmful and traumatising, which impacted on their ability to trust others, their career choices, as well as how they engaged with companion animals in their adult lives. Members of the project team also interviewed each other about our respective experiences of childhood companion animal loss, to reflexively explore some of the themes which emerged from our participants. On the basis of our research, we argue for the need for greater transparency with children when companion animals are dying. Our data also suggested that with appropriate understanding, as well as the provision of space for memorialisation, children can be supported. Consequently, we argue that with such support in place, some of the negative long term consequences experienced by our adult participants could have been mitigated. This has clear implications for both child and adult wellbeing. We advocate for the importance of taking childhood grief following companion animal loss seriously, and ensuring children’s voices and experiences are acknowledged at a time when parents and other responsible adults (e.g. vets, teachers) may otherwise have their attention diverted away from the needs of the child.
How the XL Bully ban has highlighted further cracks in the crumbling edifice that is Breed Specific Legislation.
Kendal Shepherd, Chris Laurence, Colette Kase
SCAS Statement on XL bully dogs: SCAS have released a statement in response to learning that some landlords, including social landlords are considering requiring tenants to relinquish XL bully dogs. Read more…
Do Greyhounds make good pets? – Thursday 2nd May 2024, 7-8pm
Chrissy Skelton, Maynooth University, Ireland
Chrissy Skelton is a PhD student and adjunct lecturer in the Department of Anthropology at Maynooth University, Ireland. Her work is on Irish greyhounds as they move from the racing industry, through rescue and into homes as pets. She is particularly interested in how humans and pets mutually adapt to co-create a family. This research was funded by the John and Pat Hume PhD Scholarship, the Higher Education Authority and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. This presentation will explore how humans and ex-racing greyhounds co-create ‘family’ in the home. Using ethnographic case studies of domesticity and the dog walk, what sensory and emotional experiences contribute to (un)successful matches?
Pet-related activities/events that affect owners’ well-being. A science-based approach to improve human well-being through pet ownership. Tuesday 9th April 2024, 7-8pm
Dr Ana Maria Barcelos BVMS MSc PhD, Feline Welfare Researcher, Cats Protection
Ana is a Vet from Brazil, and has a Masters in Clinical Animal Behaviour and a PhD in Human-Animal Interactions from the University of Lincoln (UK). After two postdocs and several years in academia investigating human-animal interactions and human well-being, Ana is now working full-time as a Feline Welfare Researcher at Cats Protection. She also enjoys teaching and supervising student research projects, so in her spare time, she works as an Associate Lecturer at the University of Lincoln.
Covering previous studies about the impact of pet-related activities/events on pet owners’ well-being, we will be looking at these findings and how we can apply them to help improve the well-being of pet owners.
SCAS Funding – Monday 19th February 2024 (7-8pm)
Dr Helen Brooks, BSc, MRes, PhD
Helen is a Senior Lecturer in the Mental Health Research Group at the University of Manchester. Her work has a dual focus on the role of social networks in the management of chronic conditions and the implementation of complex interventions designed to improve health experiences. She has a particular interest in the role of pets in the management of health problems and her research was the first to explore the work that people feel their pets do to support them living with physical and mental health conditions.
Join SCAS trustees and SCAS research grant awardees to hear about our upcoming 2024 funding round. We will provide more detail on the process of applying for funding from SCAS and share some top tips for success. Past award holders will share their experiences of applying for and holding SCAS research grants. There will also be the opportunity to ask any questions to members of the Research Working Group and to award holders. As this was a free online event, please use this link to access the webinar recording.
Partner, companion, servant, or tool? Exploring the interspecies relationship of a guide dog partnership – Thursday 11th January 2024 (7-8pm)
Tim Stafford, MA, BSc (Hons), Director of Canine Affairs, Guide Dogs (UK)
Tim has worked for Guide Dogs (UK) since 1985, qualifying as a guide dog mobility instructor in 1989 and working in the UK and New Zealand. Tim holds a BSc (Hons) in Applied Animal Behaviour and a master’s degree in Anthrozoology. Tim progressed through a succession of operations management roles before joining the senior leadership team. Tim is currently Director of Canine Affairs where he leads on strengthening strategic engagement with national and international partners, providing executive directors with subject matter expertise, and acting as a k