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canine science symposium

May 18 & 19, 2024

San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA

A unique opportunity to learn about canine science from the scientists

In this information-packed two-day applied science conference, you will learn about studies in canine behavior, training, sheltering, & welfare. Perfect for practitioners who value & use evidence-based interventions to improve the lives of dogs.

Join us for engaging talks on:

Dogs’ complex relationships with other dogs & people

All things olfaction: physiology, cognitive processing, odor control & intensity

Giving shelter dogs what they want with preferred activities

Behavioral issues & barriers to receiving support that owners experience

Using preference & assent tests to achieve cooperative care with our dogs

Shelter interventions that improve dogs’ behavior & welfare

Comparing & contrasting the cognitive abilities of dogs, cats, & other species

Preference, reinforcer efficacy, & their relationship

Issues that adopters experience, how they react, obtain support, & their success

Helping dogs be more resilient during stressful situations

Pet parenting styles & what it means to be a good pet parent

The relationship between the activity levels of dogs in the shelter & in the home

14 Presentations, 1 Emerging Scientists Session, & 1 All-Speaker Roundtable

Breakfast, lunch, & afternoon breaks that facilitate networking with other evidence-based sheltering, behavior, training, & welfare professionals

Location

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

dates

Saturday, May 18 & Sunday, May 19, 2024

registration

In-Person & Zoom for 1-Day & Weekend

Discount pricing ends on 4/18!

ceus (In-person, Zoom)

CCPDT (CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA): 14, 8
IAABC:
PPG: 14, 8
KPA: 14, 8

 

Speakers

 
 

agenda

*talks included in the Zoom livestream & recording

 

Saturday, May 18

ALL TIMES ARE IN PACIFIC TIME

8:00 AM Registration Check-in, Breakfast, Networking

9:00 AM Welcome & Housekeeping

OPENING PLENARY

9:10 AM* Social networks of companion dogs: diversity and origins of relationships with fellow humans and fellow dogs (Zsofia Viranyi)

MORNING SESSION

10:15 AM* Thinking outside the operant chamber: Assessing barriers to behavior services for dog owners & how applied animal behavior analysis can help (Lindsay Mehrkam)

11:15 AM* Dogs smell: The how & why (Nathan Hall)

12:15 PM* What do dogs want? Investigating preference, reinforcers, & their relationship - and what that means for your training (Erica Feuerbacher)

LUNCH

1:00 PM City Eats: SFSU’s Dining Commons

AFTERNOON SESSION

2:00 PM Achieving cooperative care: The role of preference & assent tests in promoting canine choice (Lindsay Mehrkam)

3:10 PM What smells? What are odors, & how do they work? (Nathan Hall)

4:30 PM Body language & preference: Is it as simple as watching your dog? (Erica Feuerbacher)

EMERGING SCIENTISTS SESSION

5:40 PM Graduate students throughout the Seven Hills Conference Center will be presenting research posters and available for question-and-answer

Sunday, May 19

ALL TIMES ARE IN PACIFIC TIME

8:30 AM Registration Check-in, Breakfast, Networking

9:00 AM Welcome & Housekeeping

OPENING PLENARY

9:10 AM* Supporting adopters: Provision & evaluation of a post adoption behavioural support service (Rachel Casey)

MORNING SESSION

10:15 AM* It’s like herding cats! Why our beliefs about the behavior & cognition of other species matter (Monique Udell)

11:15 AM* The effect of handler behaviour on stress resilience in dogs (Alexandra Protopopova)

12:15 AM* Toys, scents, other dogs, people, & food: Interventions that influence shelter dog behavior & welfare (Lisa Gunter)

LUNCH

1:00 PM City Eats: SFSU’s Dining Commons

AFTERNOON SESSION

2:00 PM The science behind pet parenting (Monique Udell)

3:10 PM Asking dogs questions: Creating preference assessments for activity-based enrichment (Alexandra Protopopova)

4:30 PM Must have a yard? The relationship between dogs’ activity pre- & post-adoption (Lisa Gunter)

ASK US ANYTHING

5:40 PM* A roundtable with the scientists of the Canine Science Symposium answering questions from our moderator & our in-person & Zoom attendees. Submit your question here!

Emerging scientists session

The aim of the Emerging Scientists Session is to share upcoming research by new scientists with Symposium attendees & connect these scientists with shelter & behavior practitioners that can utilize their findings – & possibly become future collaborators! 

Abstract Submission Deadline: March 31, 2024

registration

Discounted: Until 4/18, Regular: After 4/18

IN-PERSON: Discounted Weekend ($415), 1-Day ($205) | Regular Weekend ($469), 1-Day ($235)

ZOOM: Discounted ($215), 1-Day ($108) | Regular Weekend ($238), 1-Day ($119)

*Zoom agenda does not include Afternoon or Emerging Scientists Sessions

Refund Policy

CEUS (In-Person, Zoom): CCPDT: (CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA) 14, 8 | IAABC, PPG: 14,8, KPA: 14, 8

sponsorship

Your company will have the unique opportunity to engage with the top scientists in the field of companion animal behavior, as well as animal trainers, behavior consultants, veterinary professionals, animal shelter staff and volunteers. With our many sponsorship opportunities and levels of involvement, your brand visibility and connection with attendees can live on long past the event itself

This year’s Symposium speakers are experts from Dogs Trust, University of British Columbia, Monmouth University, Texas Tech, Oregon State University, and Virginia Tech

By sponsoring the 2024 Canine Science Symposium, you will be supporting scientific inquiry, science-based decision-making, and professional education

 

Sponsorship levels: Depending on the level you choose, your organization will receive placement in our program, on our website, recognition during the welcome presentation, inclusion in our attendee swag bag, complimentary registration, an exhibit table at the Symposium, & much more!

Reach out to Grace Phillips at gracep23@vt.edu for more information about our sponsorship opportunities.

Our Sponsors

location

San Francisco State University

Morning & afternoon sessions will be held in the Seven Hills Conference Center. City Eats will host our lunches each day (which is included in registration)

Use this address when mapping to the Seven Hills and Towers Conference Centers: 796 State Drive, San Francisco, CA 94132. This is also the same address for the nearby SFSU Parking Garage

For accommodations, check out these options near campus, presented by San Francisco State University

 
 

Contact Us

If you have questions, send us a message. We’re happy to answer them. We’re looking forward to seeing you at this year’s Canine Science Symposium!