SIU Canine Science

04/17/2026

We are seeking to identify the common injuries and illnesses faced by Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) K9s to help improve preparation and prevention strategies for veterinarians, handlers, and trainers.

If you are a USAR K9 handler, go to tinyurl.com/usarhazards to complete the survey!

04/07/2026

Cierra Crowell’s journey at SIU is truly inspiring. Growing up on a family farm in Lincoln, Illinois, she developed a passion that led her to pursue a Ph.D. in canine science at SIU.

Cierra has participated in groundbreaking research at the Canine Research Center, where she’s making advancements in canine fitness, health, and nutrition. Her work not only benefits working and companion canines but also inspires the next generation of leaders in this field.

She will be giving a 20-30 minute presentation on dog nutrition at the Crab Orchard Kennel Club on April 13 at Bennie’s Italian Foods 309 N Market St. Marion, IL. Presentation begins at 7:00 pm. Come at 6:00 to order great food from Bennie’s menu.

03/31/2026

03/26/2026

Peer-reviewed research on olfaction has been building for decades. Nobel Prizes have been awarded for it. And yet claims circulate in our community — at seminars, in social media groups, from well-meaning colleagues — that directly contradict what the science actually shows. They spread not beca...

03/24/2026

Have you considered enrolling in our program, but you're not quite sure yet? Perhaps you're out of state and unable to visit an Open House? This semester, we are hosting a handful of Zoom sessions, each by a different faculty member. They will discuss their background, an overview of the program, and some specifics about their specialty and the courses they teach.

First up is Dr. Jennifer Essler, Assistant Professor and Associate Chair for the Canine Program. On March 30th at 6pm, she will discuss some of the detection courses and research opportunities available on campus. At the end, she will answer any questions you may have about the program.

Please fill out this link for a zoom link: https://forms.office.com/r/nnZLtKPTY6

We hope to see you there!

03/23/2026

Can dogs help humans live longer? Scientists are studying dogs in hopes of unlocking pathways to longer, healthier lives for both species. Anderson Cooper reports. Sunday on 60 Minutes. 60Minutes.com

12/13/2025

🐶 Could your dog benefit from weight loss?
We want to help! A new study from our team seeks to explore how a structured, home-based physical activity program can support weight management and improve mobility in adult dogs with chronic obesity.

Dogs who qualify will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:
1) Diet + exercise: A structured physical activity plan combined with a weight loss diet.
2) Diet only: A weight loss diet only.

🐾Who Can Participate?
• Dogs ≥1 years old
• Healthy apart from chronic obesity (body condition score ≥ 7/9)
• Tolerate wearing an activity monitor
• Sufficient mobility

What’s in it for you?
This study is generously supported by Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Pet food is provided by Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Dog kibble and treats will be provided for the duration of the study (124 days) at no charge. Participants in the study will receive blood work results, physical examination, urinalysis, range of motion and mobility assessment, DXA scan and a 4-month weight management program for their pet free of charge.

For more information, complete the 15-20 minute online screening survey found at https://brnw.ch/21wYhc1

Disclosure: Dr. Verbrugghe is the Royal Canin Endowed Chair in Canine and Feline Clinical Nutrition at OVC. She also serves on industrial advisory boards and has received research funding and honoraria from pet food industry.

This project has been reviewed by the Research Ethics Board for compliance with federal guidelines for research involving human participants (REB 2156). All experimental procedures for this study are approved by the University of Guelph Animal Care Committee (AUP 5396).
Hill’s Pet Nutrition Ontario Veterinary College University of Guelph OVC Veterinary Clinical Trials

11/20/2025

11/14/2025

Dog owners, the Tech4Animals Lab needs your help!

We’re running a study to learn how dogs behave when they wait alone in the car for a few minutes, and we’re looking for participants.

What you’ll do
- Record a short video of your dog waiting alone in the car and share it with us (we will guide you step by step)
- Answer a quick questionnaire about your dog

To thank you for your time, you’ll get:
- A personalized certificate of participation for your and your dog
- A FREE Dog-in-the-car guide

Want to help? Please find all information here: https://airtable.com/appniryEWXkG3XClA/pags01S7IjR8ik8Db/form

Thank you for supporting our scientific discoveries that aim to help improving dog wellbeing using tech!