Purdue Animal Behavior Research

Our goal is to understand the behavioral health in companion animals by studying normal and pathological behaviors. We appreciate your interest to support Purdue animal behavior research.

Current Studies

Use Brain Imaging to Measure Human-Dog Interaction

Dog ownership is commonly assumed to have a beneficial impact on human physiological and mental health. However, the mechanisms underlying this effect of the human-animal bond (HAB) are not well understood from a neuroscience perspective.

This study investigates the possible underlying mechanisms of the HAB between established dog-owner pairs by addressing research questions such as: Which type of interaction fosters a stronger connection—direct interaction (A) or indirect interaction through a video meeting (B)?

a dog interacting with a human — A dog engages in direct interaction with a human — physical contact, eye contact, and touch during an in-person session.

a dog interacting with a screen — A dog watches and responds to a human communicating through a video screen — no physical contact, but visual and auditory interaction.

Team

Niwako Ogata, BVSc, PhD, DACVB - Associate Professor, Animal Behavior
Reina Nishiura, BVSc - Graduate Student
Rita Filgueira, DVM - Visiting Scholar

Related Publications

Explore research examining how animals interact with people and their environments. Topics include canine cognition, behavioral responses to technology, treatment strategies for anxiety and fear-based behaviors, and the science behind human-animal bonds.

View Publications at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)