New canine lab seeks four-legged research participants

Research aims to investigate dog cognition and therapy dog programs. A new lab at UBC's Vancouver campus is looking for research participants-and not just anyone will do. The criteria? Must be furry and four-legged. Enjoy belly rubs and yummy treats? That's a bonus, too. The new Human-Animal Interaction Lab at UBC has officially opened and will soon be inviting pet dogs and their owners to engage in canine cognition research. Researchers are hoping to discover new knowledge that will improve animal shelter practices and companion animal welfare in shelters and homes with pets. They will also conduct studies on animal-assisted interventions using trained therapy dogs to benefit the wellbeing of dogs working in assistance roles, as well as refining methods of using therapy dogs in educational settings for the benefit of both the child and dog.