Does your pet have a glass half full, or glass half empty take on life? We recently discovered that many animals can be optimistic or pessimistic based on their experiences. Dr Melissa Starling holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and recently gained her PhD from the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Sydney with a topic that covered elements of dog behaviour, personality, emotions and cognition. She has long had a passion for animal behaviour and animal training that has intensified as she learns more. In this episode, we talk to Mel about her PhD research investigating optimism and pessimism – or cognitive bias – in dogs. More: http://www.humananimalscience.com.au/cognitive-bias/

Is your dog optimistic? Cognitive bias in animals

Do fish really feel pain? You might assume yes, but you'd be wrong. Kind of. You see - it's complicated. Dr Ben Diggles has worked with government, aquaculture industry, recreational fisheries, and commercial fisheries throughout New Zealand, Australia, Asia and the Pacific Islands. His core work includes import risk analysis, fish and shellfish health, fish welfare, development of feeding attractants for aquaculture, and development of medicated feeds for aquacultured finfish. In his spare time Ben studies the effects of declining water quality on our estuaries, and is active in his local community developing solutions to these problems, like Oyster Reef Restoration. In this episode, we catch up on the latest scientific findings relating to fish pain and learn more about the Ikijime  method for killing fish captured for eating. More:  http://www.humananimalscience.com.au/fish-pain-welfare/ 

Fish don't feel pain? Diving in to the deep end of fish welfare

Do slugs disgust you? How about dog poo, or road kill? Tyler (T.J.) Kasperbauer gained his PhD in Philosophy from Texas A&M University where he wrote a dissertation on moral psychology and animal ethics. He is currently completing post-doctoral research at the University of Copenhagen, working with the well-known Peter Sandøe. T.J.’s main areas of research are applied animal and environmental ethics, moral psychology, and philosophy of psychology. In this episode, we explore his interesting research into the area of animals that disgust us, why they should and what it means for people’s relationships with them. More: http://www.humananimalscience.com.au/animals-and-disgust/

Animals and Disgust: what underlies the ‘Eeeww’ factor?

Human Animal Science is a regular podcast hosted by Tim Adams and Mia Cobb that takes a scientific view of the world of humans and animals. Human Animal Science, also known as anthrozoology, is a growing multidisciplinary field of enquiry, and one that produces fascinating topics. Only the most recent episodes will be hosted on Soundcloud. To listen to all episodes, find us on iTunes or visit our website: http://www.humananimalscience.com