Research

KSU Applied Animal Behavior Lab

Animals inspire, sustain, and comfort us. When we house animals in captive environments, whether that is in laboratories, zoos, farms, shelters, or even in our own homes, we have an obligation to provide for their physical and psychological wellbeing. The KSU Applied Animal Behavior Lab conducts research with the aim of promoting welfare in captive animals. This includes developing and assessing best practices for housing, socialization, environmental enrichment, and training. We have ongoing partnerships with local animal facilities.

 

Dr. Martin and research assistants Lauren Faulkner and Christina Walthers attend orientation at Mostly MuttsResearch assistant Christina Walthers collects behavioral data on a kenneled dog at Mostly MuttsDr. Martin and research assistants Lauren Faulkner and Christina Walthers are pictured in front of the Mostly Mutts facilityUndergraduate researcher Maddie Pattillo adds essential oil to a cotton ball as part of a scent enrichment studyUndergraduate researchers Lauren Mitchell, Maddie Pattillo, and Jessie Catchpole add scent enrichment to a room at Mostly MuttsUndergraduate researcher Perrin Smith presents her research poster at NCUR

 Headshot of Dr. Allison Martin

Dr. Allison L. Martin

Director, Applied Animal Behavior Lab

My research is in the areas of animal behavior and applied behavior analysis (applying classical and operant conditioning techniques to change behaviors of social significance). My research interests include animal training, captive animal management (including socialization and environmental enrichment), animal welfare, self-injurious behavior, and the functional analysis and treatment of problem behaviors. A list of my publications can be found here.

If you are a KSU student interested in studying animal behavior or applied behavior analysis, please contact me for information about research opportunities.

 

©