Monthly Newsletter: can make 2 columns: one with newsletter and 1 with everything else?
also, can import outlook calendar to google calendar, then link google to here
- Researchers Convene at Guelph for 2025 ISAE Regional Meeting on Animal Welfare Science
University of Guelph hosts 15th annual North American event focused on applied ethology
The 15th North American Regional Meeting of the International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE) took place last month at the University of Guelph, bringing together 190 registered participants from 51 institutions across North America. The event, hosted by the Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare (CCSAW), featured scientific presentations, keynote lectures, and networking opportunities aimed at advancing research in animal behaviour and welfare.
Held at the Arboretum Centre, the conference drew 152 in-person attendees, including 103 students and postdoctoral researchers and 49 professionals. Twelve Canadian universities from eight provinces were represented, along with 16 U.S. universities spanning 12 states.
Keynotes Challenge Assumptions in Animal Welfare
The meeting opened with a keynote address by Prof. Cassandra Tucker of the University of California, Davis, titled “Invisible harm: how our blind spots reveal unanswered questions in animal welfare.” Tucker outlined four areas where cognitive bias and ingrained assumptions—such as “barn blindness”—obscure meaningful improvements in animal care. Her presentation underscored the need for greater scientific rigour and introspection in both research and industry practices.
The second day featured a keynote by Prof. Daniel S. Mills of the University of Lincoln, UK, on the topic “Animal faces: Beyond the rational.” Mills presented findings from over ten years of research on canine and feline facial expressions, emphasizing the complexity of interpreting animal emotions and warning against anthropomorphic bias.
Student Research Highlighted
Student participation was a major focus of the meeting. Graduate students presented oral and poster sessions, with submissions judged for scientific quality and communication. Award recipients were recognized as being Michelle Gygax (University of Bern) and Emiline Sundman (Iowa State University) for presentations and Rituparna Sonowal (Texas Tech University) and Xiaowen Ma (Michigan State University) for posters.
In addition to formal presentations, graduate students attended lunch sessions with the keynote speakers, providing a forum for mentorship and informal dialogue on research and career development. And for fun, a dog ‘dance’ team performed at one afternoon break, while the banquet featured a 4-H youth square dance set with a ‘learn-to-square dance’ hour afterwards.
ISAE and the Role of Regional Meetings
Founded to promote the study of applied animal behavior, the ISAE hosts international and regional meetings to support scientific collaboration and education. Regional meetings, such as the North American event, are designed to provide accessible opportunities for emerging scholars and local networks to exchange ideas and share findings in the field.
The 2025 meeting at Guelph reinforced ISAE’s commitment to scientific integrity, critical inquiry, and the advancement of evidence-based animal welfare practices. With presentations ranging from theoretical critiques to applied case studies, the event served as both a professional development platform and a barometer for current trends in ethology.
Organizers reported high engagement throughout the event, noting that the blend of early-career and established researchers continues to be a strength of the regional meeting model.
- Celebrating 10 Years of the Saputo Dairy Care Program
Saputo’s investment in dairy cattle welfare and training tops $1.75 million.
In 2015, the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) and the Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare (CCSAW) launched the Saputo Dairy Care Program with a commitment of $500,000 from Saputo. Ten years later, the world’s first and only formal dairy cattle welfare training program for veterinarians is celebrating Saputo’s second investment renewal that will bring the company’s total support for dairy cattle welfare at OVC to $1.75 million.
Dr. Anna Schwanke
This year’s renewal pledge of $500,000 will allow OVC to continue and expand dairy welfare training and outreach for student and practicing veterinarians, dairy producers and industry representatives, as well as hire a new full-time Saputo Dairy Care Program Manager, Dr. Anna Schwanke.
Over the past decade, more than 130 senior large-animal veterinary students from across Canada, the U.S. and beyond, have engaged in week-long immersive rotations. This largely hands-on training delves into sometimes controversial issues affecting dairy cattle welfare, like transportation and culling decisions.
To respond to demand by rotation alumni for more in-depth training, in 2022, the CCSAW and Dairy at Guelph faculty began offering a second week-long course in the summer. Early in their veterinary career, outstanding graduates were admitted to another rotation, tailored to their specific animal care interests and the nature of their clinical practice.
For the full story, and to learn more about Dr. Schwanke, please visit https://www.uoguelph.ca/ovc/news/node/4898.
- Bringing Justice to the Barn
How a New Project is Teaching Vets to Recognize and Investigate Equine Cruelty
Photo taken by Paradigm Farms. Veterinary forensics may sound like something out of a TV crime show, but for Dr. Shane Bateman and Gayle Ecker, Director of Equine Guelph, it’s a crucial, real-world tool to improve animal welfare—particularly for horses. Thanks to a CCSAW (Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare) mini-grant, the two have teamed up to launch a unique educational initiative that aims to give veterinarians the knowledge and confidence they need to take an active role in identifying and responding to cases of animal cruelty and neglect.
The project was born from a shared passion. Bateman, an Associate Professor in the Ontario Veterinary College, who has a background in forensic science and veterinary medicine, had long wanted to apply his expertise to a practical cause. Ecker, who has been deeply involved in equine welfare education through Equine Guelph, was all too familiar with the gaps in the system. They connected through CCSAW and quickly realized the potential to collaborate.
“Veterinary forensics is still a new discipline,” explains Bateman. “And most of the literature and training out there focuses on small animals. But horses play a role in so many industries and activities—they’re often left out of the conversation.”
Moreover, even when harm is identified and reported, other parts of the system—law enforcement, animal welfare inspectors, and Crown attorneys—often lack the specialized training needed to properly investigate and prosecute such cases. “If we want to move the needle,” says Bateman, “we need everyone involved in the process to be educated and prepared.”
Their concern is that while vets are well-trained in diagnosing medical issues, they’re not always confident or equipped to recognize the signs of intentional harm, distinguish it from accidents, or know how to navigate the complex legal channels that follow. In many cases, harm goes unreported—or gets lost in a confusing patchwork of provincial and federal laws.
That’s where the CCSAW funding comes in. Unlike traditional research grants, this mini-grant supports educational initiatives—making it the perfect fit for this project. The funding has allowed the team to hire Gabriela Rosa, an enthusiastic third-year veterinary student with a strong interest in equine welfare. She’ll be instrumental in helping design and deliver the new educational offerings.
The plan is to begin with a free, two-hour online webinar that introduces veterinarians to the fundamentals of veterinary forensic science and animal law, particularly as it applies to equine cases. The goal is to “hook” participants—spark their interest and motivate them to take the next step: a full-day, in-person workshop in Guelph that will offer hands-on, scenario-based training.
This approach builds on successful past experiences. Equine Guelph and Bateman have already piloted mock crime scenes and forensic science training in Bateman’s elective courses for veterinary students—something he says was “hugely popular.” Ecker, too, brings years of experience developing training programs for animal cruelty investigators, both through the Ontario SPCA and later with the Solicitor General’s office.
But this new project is about more than training a few individuals—it’s about changing a culture. “There’s still a reluctance among some vets to get involved in legal cases,” says Ecker. “But a lot of that stems from fear of the unknown. Once they’re trained and have the tools, they’re much more willing to step up and be part of the team.”
Ultimately, this initiative has the potential to ripple far beyond Ontario. While the initial focus is local, the team hopes the training materials and workshops can be adapted and delivered across Canada—and even beyond. And while this project focuses on horses, the same forensic principles can apply to cases involving cattle, poultry, and companion animals.
For now, the team is focused on launching the first phase this summer. If all goes well, a fall workshop will follow. “It’s very much a ‘build it and they will come’ situation,” says Bateman. With any luck, this project will help more vets recognize when an animal is in trouble, and give them the tools to bring justice.
- Bridging the Gap: Empowering Northern Canadian Communities Through Animal Welfare
Graduate student Tsai-Ping Liao A recent collaboration between Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare (CCSAW) researchers and Veterinarians Without Borders North America (VWB) is seeking to pilot a sustainable model for improving animal healthcare grounded in community engagement and empowerment. Led by graduate student Tsai-Ping (Hannah) Liao, under the supervision of Dr. Lauren Van Patter, the project centers on the development and implementation of Community Animal Health Worker (CAHW) programs in Northern Canada. These programs train local individuals to offer basic animal health services in areas where veterinary care is inaccessible or limited. VWB has an existing Northern Animal Health initiative where they partner with remote Indigenous communities in Northwest Territories and Nunavut to support the communities with their identified needs including access to veterinary care.
CAHW programs have been successfully implemented around the world, and an aim of the research is to adapt the model specifically for the unique social, cultural, and environmental contexts of Northern Canada. CCSAW funding will enable Liao to visit Gjoa Haven, a hamlet approximately 1000 km north-east of Yellowknife, in Nunavut, in person, as part of community engagement and knowledge exchange for the project.
Why Northern Canada?
Communities in Northern Canada, particularly Indigenous and remote populations, face significant challenges when it comes to access to animal health. Veterinary services are often sporadic or entirely absent due to geographic isolation, harsh climates, and limited infrastructure. This lack of care not only affects animal welfare but also community well-being, public health, and environmental sustainability. In fact, according to Dr. Michelle Tuma, the Northern Veterinary Specialist for Veterinarians Without Borders North America, “there are no veterinarians in Nunavut and four of us in Northwest Territories. There are over 50 communities that don’t have regular access or that actually have zero access to veterinary care.”
The CAHW model has the potential to address these gaps by supporting local community members in providing essential animal care services, guided by proper training and support. Developing that model of proper training is the end goal for Liao’s MSc. and potential further studies.
VSB vet Genevieve Douyon, in Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut. Tuma explains that “a lot of the communities that we work with identify their needs in terms of animal management, especially dogs. About 95% of the domestic animal population are dogs. Without access to basic health care for these animals, like vaccinations, spays, neuters and any other medical concerns including parasites, the challenges continue, which then affects community welfare. Most of the communities have the same type of identified concerns regarding dog population management.”
A Global Perspective with Local Focus
To avoid the pitfalls of imposing external solutions, the research team is taking a globally informed yet locally grounded approach. Data was collected through surveys and interviews with stakeholders involved in CAHW programs from diverse regions around the world. The goal is to analyze how successful strategies can be adapted—or reimagined—to fit the unique cultural, economic, and geographic contexts of Northern Canada. As Liao emphasized during a recent interview, “We don’t want to take a one-size-fits-all approach. Because each community has its own unique background, so we want the framework to be flexible and engaging.”
Tuma highlights the importance of community involvement at every stage. “We want the community to be not just participants but leaders in this initiative,” she noted. That means engaging with local voices, respecting Indigenous knowledge systems, and co-developing a flexible framework that can evolve over time.
Sustainability and Cultural Sensitivity at the Core
At the heart of this initiative is a commitment to sustainability. The project seeks to avoid short-term fixes and instead build lasting infrastructure by training individuals who already live in and understand their communities. Equally important is cultural sensitivity. Recognizing that every community has its own relationship with animals, traditions, and ways of knowing, the project is designed to be adaptable and respectful.
CCSAW’s Role
This is the first initiative funded by the new CCSAW annual mini-award scheme, whereby the Centre will allocate $20,000/year to support the activities of faculty and graduate students as they strive to advance the welfare of animals through research, teaching, and service/outreach. Through this funding Liao will co-deliver a community engagement session, meeting the residents, and working with VWB to further foster conversation around community needs and priorities in the development and implementation of a CAHW program.
Looking Ahead
The team hopes that this project will not only lead to a successful CAHW pilot program but also pave the way for a national movement toward community-based animal health care in underserved areas. With continued support, this initiative could serve as a blueprint for other countries and contexts facing similar challenges.
By combining academic research, on-the-ground experience, and heartfelt commitment, the CCSAW-funded community engagement event is an example of what’s possible when diverse perspectives come together to solve pressing issues. It’s not just about animal health—it’s about community empowerment, equity, and creating a more compassionate world for all living beings.
- U of G Appoints Dr. John Cranfield Dean of Ontario Agricultural College
Dr. John Cranfield, a respected and long-standing member of the University of Guelph’s faculty, has been named the new dean of the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC).
Cranfield, who has led the college as interim and acting dean since July, 2023, began the five-year appointment March 1, 2025.
Congratulations John. We look forward to continuing to work with you. CCSAW is unique in that our faculty represent three Colleges – OAC, the Ontario Veterinary College and the College of Biological Science.
For the full news release, visit the link below.
Past Events
- How can we sustainably improve human’s relations with farm animals?
Monday, March 17th, 2025 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM
- CCSAW Research Symposium
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