It was during a radio interview in 2007 about the impact on the New Zealand environment from cattle excretion, and a quip by the host that suggested cows should be toilet trained, that first started Lindsay Matthews thinking. A University of Auckland honorary academic and director of an independent research company, Matthews’ PhD research had […]
Continue ReadingIntroduction Domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) are one of the most morphologically varied species, exhibiting an enormous variety of sizes and body types. Different breeds also exhibit different behavioural traits, and are perceived by dog trainers and owners as having variable abilities to be trained. There is evidence of a strong genetic component in canine […]
Continue ReadingTraining animals in zoos is not just about enrichment – although that is certainly a worthy aim. Increasingly, trainers are working with veterinarians to condition animals for medical examinations and even therapy. The benefits are obvious – being able to undergo diagnostic tests and treatments without the need for sedation and general anaesthesia minimises the […]
Continue ReadingA number of Japanese veterinarians have attended a two day neurosurgical workshop at the University of Queensland (UQ). The event was hosted from July 20-21 by VetPrac, an organisation that provides practical skills training for registered veterinarians in clinical practice. VetPrac director Ilana Mendels coordinated the workshop over six months, liaising with UQ and Philip […]
Continue ReadingIn what sport do competitors at times lie down in the middle of the course, unmotivated and bemused? The answer is cat agility tournaments, a competition in which cats run through a miniature obstacle course crammed with hurdles and tunnels. The phenomenon of cat agility contests started about 10 years ago when two couples involved […]
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