Pet owners cooperate in 'dog-friendly' research

March 11, 2008

Dogs and their owners are enthusiastic participants in research at the University of New England aimed at improving the health and welfare of "man's best friend".

Dr Wendy Brown started dog research at UNE in 1997. "UNE doesn't own any dogs," she said. "I borrow people's pets for all of my research activities, and return them to their owners at the end of their stay."

The dogs are well cared for, and, in return for their participation, they receive free veterinary treatments, health care products or dog food, so that the dogs themselves benefit. "Armidale dog owners have been particularly cooperative in allowing their dogs to participate in various research projects over the years," Dr Brown said.

"It is illegal to use pound dogs for research in NSW," she explained, "and for some institutions this has led to the use of animals that are 'purpose-bred' and maintained for research. At UNE, however, we conduct only non-invasive dog research, so borrowing people's pets is a realistic and kinder option than having a colony of purpose-bred dogs that would never have a loving home to go to."

Dr Brown's research at UNE is in collaboration with the WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition in the UK.

"WALTHAM-sponsored research has led to more than 1,500 publications, supporting their claim to be the world's leading authority on pet care and nutrition," she said. "Their search for collaborators across the globe with similar ethical standards, and expertise in specific areas of interest, has led to several collaborative ventures in recent years between WALTHAM and UNE.

"Most of the research has been nutrition-related, although I also conduct research in the areas of dental health and behaviour. The primary goal of the research is better care for dogs, but, as the dog is widely used as a model in studies of human health and nutrition, there could be positive spin-offs for those studies too.

"Our most recent study ventures into the area of canine genetics, requiring a single blood sample to be collected from many pure-bred dogs. In this case, dogs weren't required to stay on-site, but were met at a local veterinary clinic where they received a health check prior to donating a sample of blood, and owners were quizzed about various aspects of their dog's diet and history."

"People's willing participation has allowed the research to be done in a 'dog-friendly' manner," Dr Brown concluded. "And, in the end, the whole dog world could benefit from the results."

THE PHOTOGRAPH displayed here shows Dr Brown (left) "interviewing" one of her project participants - Bonnie - at a local veterinary clinic, with Bonnie's owner Desley Williams.

Posted by Jim Scanlan at March 11, 2008 05:34 PM