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My PhD
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I am currently undertaking my PhD at Monash University as a member of the Anthrozoology Research Group (ARG). The ARG conducts research on various aspects of the human-animal bond. My PhD thesis is entitled "Behavioural assessment of adult shelter dogs: Development of national standards for identifying dogs suitable for adoption." When a dog is relinquished to an animal shelter, the shelter staff usually assess the dog's behaviour to see whether it is suitable for adoption. Currently, animal shelters and pounds use a variety of different methods when they assess a dog's behaviour and the time taken to do this varies considerably - anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour. There are two aims of my research. Firstly, to evaluate current methods used to assess canine behaviour in a shelter environment and secondly, to create a scientifically validated and standardised behavioural assessment protocol to potentially be used by shelters and pounds Australia wide.
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My PhD