Researchers

• Bethany Loftus - PhD Student
  Bethany is the principle researcher on this project and is completing her PhD. She graduated from Bristol University in 2008 from the Animal Behaviour and Welfare BSc and has since completed a residency in clinical companion animal behaviour, and worked on a range of research projects investigating companion animal, and farm animal welfare. Bethany enjoys training dogs and horses in her free time.
• Dr Rachel Casey - Supervisor
  Rachel Casey is the main supervisor on this project. Rachel is a veterinary surgeon and a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Recognised Specialist in Behavioural Medicine. She has conducted research into many aspects of behaviour and welfare in both dogs and cats, including the epidemiology of behaviour problems, the development of novel welfare indicators, ‘personality’ differences, and the welfare implications of different training methods or management approaches.
• Dr Emily Blackwell - Supervisor
  Emily Blackwell is a lecturer in canine behaviour and welfare at Bristol University. She is a certificated clinical animal behaviourist with over 15 years of experience. Emily combines teaching and clinical work with research into the prevention and treatment of problematic behaviours in companion animals. She has published papers on a wide range of subjects, including the development of separation-related behaviours and noise fears in dogs, and the most effective and humane training methods for dogs.
• Sarah Hobbs - Masters student
  Sarah is completing a Masters Research degree in association with this project. She completed the Animal Behaviour and Welfare BSc at Bristol University and is currently gaining clinical experience at Langford Behaviour Clinic in order to become qualified as a Behaviourist by the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB). Sarah and Bethany work together to do all data collection and both are experienced in handling and training dogs.