Dog expert contributors - page 1
The welfare needs of dogs
The RSPCA would like to thank Dr Nicola Rooney for her involvement in producing information on the welfare needs of dogs.
Dr Nicola Rooney (BSc PGCE PhD) is a Research Fellow in the Animal Welfare and Behaviour Group at the University of Bristol. She has a PhD in dog behaviour and for over ten years has conducted research on working dogs; examining selection criteria, determining effects of rearing environments, measuring ability, assessing and examining ways of improving the welfare of specialist search dogs. In addition, she works as an independent consultant to the RSPCA and has helped produce information on the welfare needs of both dogs and cats as well as the RSPCA Performing Animals Guidelines.
Pedigree dog breeding in the UK
The RSPCA would like to thank Dr Nicola Rooney and Dr David Sargan for authoring an independent scientific report into Pedigree Dog Breeding in the UK. We would also like to thank all the other experts who contributed to the report. Read more about all the expert authors and contributors involved in this report.
Get Puppy Smart campaign
The RSPCA would like to thank the University of Bristol for producing evidence-based guidance on choosing a puppy, which was used to underpin the Get Puppy Smart campaign. We would also like to thank Dr Nicola Rooney and Dr Emily Blackwell for their contributions to the campaign.
Separation related behaviour
Experts at the University of Bristol have spent six years conducting research into separation related behaviour and have produced information on separation related behaviour and advice on how to prevent it. Read the full report here. The RSPCA would like to thank Dr Emily Blackwell, Dr Rachel Casey and Dr John Bradshaw for their significant contribution to furthering understanding of this welfare issue.
Dr Emily Blackwell (BSc PhD CCAB)
Dr Emily Blackwell is the Dogs Trust Lecturer in Canine Behaviour and Welfare at the University of Bristol. She has a PhD in dog behaviour and has been conducting research into various aspects of canine behaviour for the past 10 years. Emily is director of the clinical behaviour service at the University of Bristol and is certified as a clinical animal behaviourist with the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB).
Dr Rachel Casey (BVMS PhD DipECVBM-CA MRCVS)
Dr Rachel Casey is a Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare at the University of Bristol. Rachel is an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine, a Diplomat of the European College of Veterinary Behavioural Medicine (Companion Animals) and is certified as a clinical animal behaviourist with the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB). She directs a programme of research into fundamental and applied aspects of dog and cat behaviour.
Dr John Bradshaw (BA PhD)
Dr John Bradshaw is a Visiting Fellow and Honorary Director of the Anthrozoology Institute at the University of Bristol. For the past 20 years he has directed a team of researchers studying the behaviour and welfare of companion animals, first at the University of Southampton, and then at the University of Bristol's Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine.
Executive summary - English version (PDF 85.9KB)