UBC looking for dogs to participate in cognition study
Posted September 20, 2022 1:57 pm.
Last Updated September 20, 2022 2:12 pm.
A new lab at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is looking for furry and four-legged research participants to be in its latest study.
The Human-Animal Interaction Lab has just opened on the Vancouver campus and will soon be inviting dogs and their owners to take part in canine cognition research.
The study includes learning about why dogs do the things they do, how they learn, and differences between breeds, says labs director Dr. Alexandra (Sasha) Protopopova.
Pet owners sign up for the research with their canine companions, but Protopopova says the dogs still have a say in whether or not they will participate.
“If the dog does not want to go forward, or if we observe any stress signs, we let the owner know and immediately stop the experiment,” explained Protopopova.
The room the study is conducted in is outfitted with high-tech cameras and a two-way mirror with an observation room, where researchers can watch the dogs without being noticed.
UBC says the lab has recently been inspected “to ensure it is safe for pups and their humans.”
Another goal of the research is to help shelter practices and animal welfare, along with rehabilitation.
