Dog wellbeing the heart of new Fellowship in Canine Welfare Science

The inaugural Chaser Innovation Fellow has been awarded to interdisciplinary animal welfare scientist Dr Mia Cobb, who will lead the research and guide the translation of new knowledge to inform policy development and help dogs (and their people) around the world.

The fellowship is funded by the University of Melbourne and US-based non-profit, the Chaser Initiative. It is co-supported by Melbourne Veterinary School and will be based in the University’s Animal Welfare Science Centre.

“To date, research on human-dog interaction has focused on what humans gain from dogs, not the other way around. We know when dogs are happy, it’s beneficial for humans too, but there are a lot of unanswered questions about dog welfare,” Dr Cobb said.

“This fellowship is a special opportunity to focus on the canine experience and see what they need to live their best lives and be happy,” she said.

“There has been no dedicated funding for research and innovation relating to companion and working dog wellbeing, which exists in other animal sectors. In some ways, we know more about chickens than we do our best four-legged friends. Dogs give us so much, it’s time to give back, and I'm incredibly grateful to the Chaser Initiative for this support to begin an exciting new era in our lives with dogs.”

Honouring the legacy of Dr John Pilley, who explored canine cognition with his beloved dog Chaser, the Chaser Innovation Fellow will advance understanding of canine wellbeing and peoples’ attitudes towards dogs.

University of Melbourne Dean of Science Professor Moira O’Bryan said the University was proud to partner with the Chaser Initiative to launch the Chaser Innovation Fellow for Canine Welfare Science.

“This fellowship will help facilitate world-first scientific research and bring a new perspective to animal-focused studies. Philanthropic funding that explores untapped areas of research is so important and I look forward to following Dr Cobb’s fellowship journey,” Professor O’Bryan said.

Chaser Initiative Founder/Director Pilley Bianchi said the Initiative was founded in legacy of her father Dr John Pilley’s research with Chaser the Border Collie, who was known as the ‘smartest dog in the world’ having learnt the names of over 1,000 toys through play-based learning, and to inspire a new approach to human-animal relationships.

“Following my father's groundbreaking work with Chaser, his greatest hope was that other researchers would carry the torch to advance understanding of canine wellbeing and drive a paradigm shift that changes how we care for animals.  We are thrilled to be partnering with the Melbourne Veterinary School and Dr Cobb and will continue to champion and support this important work. This is only the beginning,” Pilley Bianchi said.

The University thanks the Pilley family and the Chaser Initiative for their support in establishing this world-leading research fellowship.

Dr Cobb commences in the fellowship position from February 2024.

To learn more about supporting canine welfare research at the University of Melbourne, visit unimelb.edu.au/alumni/give

^{Dr Mia Cobb (right) with Pilley Bianchi, Founder of the Chaser Initiative, and a bronze statue of Chaser the Border Collie}