The Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS)

10/12/2024

Have you ever owned a pet hamster? 🐹

If you're over 18, we need your help! One of our university students is working on her dissertation and would really appreciate your input.

Please take a moment to fill out this quick survey, your participation will make a big difference in her research!

Link: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=1m00vXDaWkStHB3f8YXeOEIsM-J7m9JBnPQh_xCaQ_5UQ1haQktVWThLSUpUUDQ0VlNZRFZGSDg0TC4u

Thank you for your support! 🙏

28/11/2024

The SCAS Autumn Newsletter has been sent to all members. Check your inbox (and spam folders!)

08/11/2024

International Human-Animal Bond Day is celebrated on November 8th each year to recognise and celebrate our animal companions and the wonderful relationships we build with them. First launched in 2021, this important awareness day is a joint effort between the Human-Animal Bond Association in the United States and the Society of Companion Animal Studies in the United Kingdom.

Do share photos or stories to celebrate your special friends in the comments 🐾 ❤

31/10/2024

This may be of interest to some of our SCAS members, especially students or prospective students. Senior academics are also welcome to attend and support the next generation of scholars. Several presentations are about companion animals and the human-animal bond and some of the masters students/graduates are actively looking for PhDs. AIP: Anthrozoology as International Practice

Registration is now open.

31/10/2024

If you are interested in human-animal interactions, don't miss this webinar.

Dog body language – and how adults and children misinterpret it

30/10/2024

Don't forget to sign up for our next webinar with Prof. Kerstin Meints from the University of Lincoln, who will be talking about "Dog body language – and how adults and children misinterpret it". All our webinars are free to SCAS members (join for £25/year or just £15 for students). Non-members pay a small fee (£6.13). A recording will be available to all those who register.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dog-body-language-insights-from-research-and-practice-tickets-1001931473007
Abstract:
Dogs are part of many families and households and are often seen as social partners, friends and companions. They can reduce loneliness and stress and often make it easier to establish social contacts. They are also often used in therapeutic and educational contexts, for example as therapy support, in hospitals, nursing homes and also as educational support in schools and nurseries. In order to promote human-dog interactions that are safe for adults and children and at the same time ensuring dog’ welfare, it is important that we learn to understand their signalling. This lecture gives an overview of how children and adults misunderstand the body language of dogs. Furthermore, a training for adults and children is presented that promotes the recognition and correct interpretation of dog signals in order to enable safe interactions between humans and dogs.

Dog body language – and how adults and children misinterpret it

20/10/2024

20/10/2024

We are excited to start this years annual conference shortly. Welcomes are coming in from around the world, including Germany, Poland, Netherlands, USA, Ireland, India, Nigeria, and Australia. Good Morning, Good Afternoon, and an extra special welcome to those who are joining us in the middle of the night.

20/10/2024

We are excited to start this years annual conference shortly. Welcomes are coming in from around the world, including Germany, Poland, Netherlands, USA, India, Nigeria, and Australia. Good Morning, Good Afternoon, and an extra special welcome to those who are joining us in the middle of the night.

18/10/2024

Today is the last chance to register for the annual Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) conference (recordings available to all registered participants): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/2024-scas-virtual-conference-tickets-905908686267?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl
We are delighted to welcome a wonderful line up of experts in the field and 17 excellent poster presentations.
Take a look at the Book of Abstracts for the annual SCAS conference :
https://www.scas.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SCAS2024-BoA-small.pdf
The conference concludes with the presentation of the 2024 Bob Harvey Award. Fostering Compassion.

Interdisciplinary Innovation: How can we advance research and practice in human-animal interactions

17/10/2024

Take a look at the Book of Abstracts for the annual SCAS conference :
https://www.scas.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SCAS2024-BoA-small.pdf
We are delighted to welcome a wonderful line up of experts in the field and 17 excellent poster presentations. The conference concludes with the presentation of the 2024 Bob Harvey Award.
There is still 48 hrs left to book a place (recordings available to all registered participants).
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/905908686267?aff=oddtdtcreator

16/10/2024

There are a few spaces remaining and still time to register. Join us in shaping the future of safe and compassionate Animal
Assistance Services through interdisciplinary innovation! Recordings available to all registered participants.

11/10/2024

Only a few days left to register for the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) annual conference (Online). This year’s theme is 'Interdisciplinary Innovation: How can we advance research and practice in human-animal interactions?'
Recordings of all presentations and a written report of the interactive workshops will be shared with all registered participants.
Register now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/905908686267?aff=oddtdtcreator
We welcome delegates from academia, industry, non-profit organisations, and other relevant sectors committed to promoting the ethical and effective involvement of animals in assistance roles.
Reduced rates for SCAS members and for students. Become a SCAS member (£25 or £15 for students) and save on this year's conference registration! Conference registration for SCAS members is £34 or £17 for student members. Full registration price for non-SCAS members is £67