In this episode of the Research Bites podcast, Dr. Spaulding interviews Dr. Michael Blackwell, Director of Pet Health Equity at the University of Tennessee. The discussion centers around the intersection of veterinary care and public health, emphasizing how financial and systemic barriers affect access to veterinary services, particularly for low-income and BIPOC families. Dr. Blackwell introduces Align Care , a program designed to subsidize veterinary care through community-supported fund accou...
Jul 02, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 31
In this episode, we’re joined by not one, but two Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorists—Dr. Amy Learn and Dr. Amy Pike—for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation on the intersection of medicine and behavior. We dive into Dr. Spaulding’s new favorite concept: mindbody unity , and explore how physical health and behavior are deeply intertwined. Dr. Pike has been caring for patients for well over 20 years. She is a Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist, and Certified Dog Behavior Consultant ...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 30
In this episode of the Research Bites podcast, Dr. Spaulding interviews Dr. Lisa Gunter about her work on reducing stress and improving welfare in shelter dogs. If you work or volunteer in a shelter – or work closely with shelter or rescue dogs - this is the podcast for you! Lisa Gunter is an Assistant Professor of Animal Behavior and Welfare at Virginia Tech in the School of Animal Sciences, and she directs the Center for Applied Animal Behavior and Education. Before beginning her graduate stud...
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 29
In this episode, we explore two common myths about science and how they relate to the world of dog training and behavior: Myth #1: Science is elitist and doesn’t apply to the real world. The Truth: Science is for everyone ! You don’t need a fancy degree to understand and apply science in meaningful ways. Science is deeply connected to real-world applications, including the everyday work of dog training and behavior. Dr. Spaulding shares examples of research that directly informs and improves how...
Jan 25, 2025•36 min•Ep. 28
00:00 Introduction to Research Bites Podcast 00:30 Join the Research Bites Membership 01:08 Introducing Dr. Sara Hintze 02:01 Dr. Hintze's Journey into Animal Welfare 04:43 The Evolution of Animal Welfare Science 06:22 Understanding Positive Welfare in Animals 09:33 Challenges in Measuring Animal Emotions 14:58 Individual Differences in Animal Welfare 19:28 Cognitive Bias and Optimism in Animals 22:28 Assessing Well-Being in Individual Animals 28:40 Balancing Individual Differences in Animal Tra...
Nov 16, 2024•55 min•Ep. 27
In this episode of the Research Bites podcast, host Dr. Kristina Spaulding interviews Professor Daniel Mills, a renowned expert in veterinary behavioral medicine from the University of Lincoln. They explore the complexities of animal behavior, the evolution of different behavioral models, and the role of emotions in influencing behavior. Professor Mills shares insights from his extensive research, including the development of the psychobiological model for assessing animal behavior and his work ...
Oct 21, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Hello everyone! I am taking a break to develop a more effective and consistent system for podcast production so that I can release episodes on a regular timeline. That means I need to take a short break to get everything organized, but rest assured we will be back soon! For more information, please check out my website and social media links below! Website: https://sciencemattersllc.com/ Unlocking Resilience: https://sciencemattersllc.com/unlocking-resilience Research Bites: https://sciencematte...
Oct 16, 2024•3 min
Your host: Kristina Spaulding, PhD, CAAB with Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior, LLC This podcast was originally released in March 2022 as a shortened version. This is the full version of the original podcast. My guest today is Dr. Monique Udell. Dr. Udell is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and an Associate Professor of Animal & Rangeland Sciences at Oregon State University, where she directs the Human-Animal Interactions Lab and teaches courses on Animal Behavior, Cognition ...
Aug 12, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 25
Summary In this conversation, Kristina discusses two research papers. The first paper explores the effects of pair housing versus single housing in shelter dogs (yes, this was discussed last episode, but this is a 2nd study on the same topic, from a different perspective). The study found that pair housing with another dog may decrease stress levels and reduce the length of stay in shelters. The second paper examines training methods used by dog owners in the United States. The study found that ...
Jul 08, 2024•26 min•Ep. 24
Summary In this conversation, Dr. Patricia McConnell and Dr. Kristina Spaulding explore the concept of flow, which is a state of complete absorption and engagement in an activity that is intrinsically rewarding. They discuss how flow can vary among individuals and how it relates to different activities dogs might do. The conversation highlights the importance of providing opportunities for animals to engage in activities purely for their own enjoyment. They also discuss the importance of providi...
Jun 28, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 23
Summary In this conversation, I discuss two research papers related to dog behavior. The first paper explores the influence of puppy whines on maternal behavior in dogs. The study found that puppy whines trigger maternal care - with stronger maternal care in response to the mother's own puppies. The second paper examines the impact of different enrichment interventions on the stress levels of dogs in a shelter. The study suggests that housing dogs with conspecifics may be beneficial in reducing ...
Jun 07, 2024•24 min•Ep. 22
Dr. Lucia Lazarowski , chief behavioral scientist at Auburn University's Canine Performance Sciences Program , discusses her research on olfaction and behavior in detection dogs. Dr. Lazarewski shares insights on the best methods for training dogs to detect odors, the capacity of dogs to learn multiple odors, and the maintenance of odor memory and search training. We also discuss the fascinating topic of inattentional blindness and how focus on one thing can prevent dogs from even noticing other...
May 30, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 21
It's time for another mini-episode on recent research! In this episode, I discuss papers about 1) gaps in our understanding of puppy development, from a unique perspective, 2) the impact of dog sports discipline (e.g. obedience or nosework) on impulse control and persistence, and 3) a program for reducing barking in shelter dogs. Each paper is summarized briefly in easy to understand language so you don't have to work - or find the time! - to find, read, and interpret the research yourself. If y...
May 13, 2024•29 min•Ep. 20
Here is a quick little episode for you with a summary of three recent papers. If you enjoyed this information and would like more opportunities to stay current with dog behavior research, check out Research Bites here . You can also get more information on my courses and upcoming events at www.sciencemattersllc.com . Papers discussed in this episode: Pereira-Figueiredo, I., Rosa, I., & Sancho Sanchez, C. (2024). Forced Handling Decreases Emotionality but Does Not Improve Young Horses’ Respon...
Mar 21, 2024•22 min•Ep. 19
In this episode, I will be talking to Dr. Erin Hecht. She received her bachelor of science degree in cognitive science from the University of California, San Diego in 2006, and her PhD in neuroscience from Emory University in 2013. Before moving to Harvard, she was a research scientist at the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience at Georgia State University and an affiliated scientist at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center at Emory University. Dr. Hecht joined the Department of Human Evolut...
Mar 14, 2024•41 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Dr. Sharmaine Miller is a Postdoctoral Fellow at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. Her research focuses on stress, One Health, and health equity and she is interested in human-animal relationships and their impact on both human and animal health. Dr. Miller completed her undergraduate studies at Towson University (2010 - 2014) and her PhD in Biology from Pennsylvania State University (2014 - 2019). Her PhD focused on stress (biology and exposure) and its effects on animal behavior. She is c...
Feb 02, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 2Ep. 17
We can't help animals if we, ourselves, are not okay. Taking care of your mental health and well-being is essential to avoid burnout. In this episode, I interview Pierre Zimmerman, a Buddhist chaplain and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction instructor. We discuss the impact of stress on different aspects of behavior, and approaches for handling stress and uncertainty. Drawing parallels from animal behavior, Pierre explains how mindfulness can foster compassion, empathy, and better communication a...
Jan 30, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Dr. Allison Scagel. She is the owner and founder of Scholars with Collars Training and Behavior LLC . She graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a bachelor's degree in wildlife and conservation biology and minors in both psychology and animal behavior. She then interned with Dr. Spaulding for three years. She also served as a dog kennel attendant for the Humane Society of Rome and upstate New York for two years during this period. In 2022, she completed her PhD in behavioral neurosc...
Oct 05, 2023•52 min•Season 2Ep. 15
This episode's guest is Rose Browne. She was a student in my Unlocking Resilience course. I decided to have her on because I was so impressed by one of the assignments that she submitted for this course that I asked if she'd be willing to come on the podcast to talk about her idea more and share it with a wider audience. Rose is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner and a Fear-free Certified professional animal trainer. With over 25 years of experience in dog training with a primary f...
Aug 09, 2023•44 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Dr. McClain is a licensed clinical psychologist who has 27 years of experience administering and evaluating a wide variety of personality, intelligence, and aptitude psychological tests. She is an innovative and understanding professional proficient in mental health and therapeutic interventions and protocols. In addition, she has expertise in ADHD and PTSD and is well-versed in providing strategic direction and ongoing leadership to academic programs. She obtained her certification in dog train...
Jul 17, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Dr. Lindsay Palmer is a social psychologist who earned her PhDs in Psychology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from the Pennsylvania State University in 2022. Before attending Penn State, she earned her B.A. from the University of Virginia and managed a UVa laboratory in social cognition and behavior for two years. Currently, she is a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences at the UMass Chan Medical School. She has been accepted as a schola...
Jun 30, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 2Ep. 4
In this episode, I speak with Doctor Clive Wynne. Dr. Wynne is Professor of Psychology at Arizona State University and Director of Research at Wolf Park, Indiana. He was educated at University College London and Edinburgh University in Scotland and has studied animal behavior in Britain, Germany, the U.S., and Australia in species ranging from pigeons to dunnarts (a mouse-sized marsupial). Several years ago he founded the Canine Cognition and Behavior Lab dedicated to the study of dogs and their...
Apr 25, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Your host: Kristina Spaulding, PhD, CAAB with Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior, LLC In this episode, I speak with Dr. Emily Bray, Ph.D. Dr. Bray is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Arizona Canine Cognition Center in the College of Veterinary Medicine and at Canine Companions, the largest US non-profit providing service dogs to people with disabilities. She earned her undergraduate degree at Duke University, completing a senior thesis at the Duke Canine Cognition Center investig...
Mar 14, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 2
In this episode, I discuss a concept called cognitive flexibility. Cognitive flexibility allows animals to adjust their behavior to a changing environment - and it's very important for resilience! Learn more about what cognitive flexibility is, how it impacts behavior, and how we can improve it. Click for more information on the Advanced Consulting Course and Research Bites . Here are links to some of the papers I discuss in the podcast: Gelfo, F. (2019). Does experience enhance cognitive flexib...
Dec 05, 2022•25 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Your host: Kristina Spaulding, PhD, CAAB with Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior, LLC In this episode, I speak with Dr. Sasha Protopopova . She is an Assistant Professor and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Chair holder in Animal Welfare at The University of British Columbia (UBC). If that sounds familiar, that’s because my last guest, Dr. von Keyserlingk is at the same University, in the same department. They are doing a lot of great work t...
Sep 08, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 8
In this episode, I use my own dog Finn as a case study for discussing several different aspects of behavior. I talk about emotional reactivity, affective style, and impulse control. Here is a link to the study about sleep and brain development in dogs that I refer to in the podcast. You can find transcripts here and more information on additional learning opportunities at www.sciencemattersllc.com . For more information, please check out my website and social media links below! Website: https://...
Aug 01, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In addition to this podcast, I also have a blog. I am posting one blog post a month and about one podcast episode a month. That’s really not as frequently as I’d like to be posting either one. But, I am currently maxed out as far as my time goes. I think the podcast is extremely valuable because it is a wonderful platform for bringing research directly to those of you living and working with dogs. At the same time, I’d hate to let the blog go entirely. So, I’ve worked out a compromise, of sorts....
Jul 07, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Your host: Kristina Spaulding, PhD, CAAB with Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior, LLC Every once in a while I like to bring in voices from other disciplines to round out our knowledge of behavior. For this episode, I am speaking with a well-respected farm animal welfare researcher. Dr. Marina (Nina) von Keyserlingk is a Professor and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Chair holder in Animal Welfare at The University of British Columbia (UBC) w...
Jun 30, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Your host: Kristina Spaulding, PhD, CAAB with Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior, LLC Today’s guest is Dr. Mindy Waite. Dr. Waite is a Board-Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) and a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA) located in Milwaukee, WI. She is a lecturer in behavior analysis in the Psychology Department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she performs research on companion canine behavior. Her early studies focused on the prevalence, function, and fun...
Jun 06, 2022•35 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Your host: Kristina Spaulding, PhD, CAAB with Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior, LLC Today’s guest is Dr. Erica Feuerbacher is an Associate Professor in Animal & Poultry Sciences at Virginia Tech and director of the Applied Animal Behavior & Welfare Lab, where she works with dogs and horses. She also coordinates the online Masters's program in Applied Animal Behavior & Welfare at Virginia Tech . She earned her Ph.D. in Psychology at the University of Florida in the UF Canine...
May 05, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 3
