Podcasts
Horse racing’s big hit: why use whips on horses?
Why are whips used in horse racing? Do whips make horses run faster or win races? Are jockeys using whips to steer and stay safe, or are they simply whipping tired horses? These are questions that prompted Professor Paul McGreevy of the University of Sydney to research the use of whips in horse racing. Paul is recognised by the […]
The importance of bees: more than honey
Ever wondered why you should care about bees? Here’s a fact: bees are responsible for the successful production of around a third of the food you eat. As one of our oldest domesticated animals, bees and people share an amazing history. But…
Do children on the autistic spectrum benefit from assistance dogs?
How do parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) perceive the value of assistance dogs? It’s a new area of research for Louise Burgoyne at the University College Cork in Ireland. Louise holds a PhD in Epidemiology and Public Health, a…
Boarding kennels: are dog kennels cruel?
What happens when your scientific study results contradict all previous research in that area? Science can be surprising, and for Dr Lisa Collins, researcher in Animal Health and Welfare Epidemiology at the University of Lincoln, UK, that’s part of the challenge –…
Serious fun: animal assisted play therapy
Most of us know that playing with dogs and horses can be fun, but have you ever considered how important animal-assisted play might be in psychological therapy for people? Dr. Risë VanFleet is the Founder of the Family Enhancement & Play Therapy Center in…