We are an animal welfare epidemiology research group in the Department of Animal Science at UC Davis. We conduct research in a variety of areas including low-stress handling, mitigating agonistic interactions in socially housed animals, developing strategies to reduce procedural pain and stress, and studying human-animal interactions. We conduct research with a range of animal species including companion cats, dairy goats, & laboratory rodents.

We are currently studying the following areas: 1) telehealth technologies to support and expand access to care for cats, 2) improving animal handling and management, and 3) mitigating agonistic interactions in group-housed animals.

Photo: Olive

What is animal welfare epidemiology?

Simply put, we mix animal ethology & animal epidemiology concepts, research methods, and statistics to conduct research that is focused on improving the lives of animals. We are an inherently interdisciplinary and collaborative group of researchers!

We are affiliated with the following UC Davis groups:

Center for Animal Welfare – http://animalwelfare.ucdavis.edu/
Animal Biology Graduate Group (MS & PhD Programs) – https://animalbiology.ucdavis.edu/
Master of Preventative Veterinary Medicine Graduate Group (MPVM Program) – https://mpvm.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/