Principle Investigator
Dr. Lee Niel
Associate Professor & Col KL Campbell Chair in Companion Animal Welfare
Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, email: niell@uoguelph.ca
I joined the Ontario Veterinary College in 2010, and my current research and teaching are focused on the behaviour and welfare of companion animals. I am a biologist with training in animal behaviour, animal welfare and behavioural neuroscience, and I have expertise with both laboratory and companion animals. Most of my current research is focused on understanding and preventing fear and aggression promoting the human-animal bond with cats, dogs and rabbits, but I am also interested in a variety of other topics. For further information please see my departmental homepage.
Current Lab Members
Carol Tinga (Postdoctoral Researcher)
I am a Postdoctoral Scholar in the lab, after completing my PhD as a lab member. My PhD focused on owner-companion rabbit relationships and rabbit welfare. I researched the use of established human-animal relationship scales (Human-Animal Interaction Scale, Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale) for rabbits, risk factors for rabbit relinquishment and abandonment, and recent domestic rabbit intake and management at Canadian and American shelters and rescues. Currently, I am shortening thesis chapters for open-access publication, presenting results at conferences, and supporting shelters and rescues that care for rabbits. Additional forthcoming papers include the biggest challenges of rabbit ownership, access to veterinary care, owners’ favourite rabbit behaviours and why they are so, and another scale validation study (Cat/Dog-Owner Relationship Scale) regarding rabbits. Vespa, a remarkable, lop-eared rabbit, inspired my PhD research.
Before doctoral studies, I completed an MSc in epidemiology, also in the Department of Population Medicine. Previously, I have worked for the Public Health Agency of Canada and as a private consultant. In my master’s degree, I explored how OVC student veterinarians and recent graduates perceived their veterinary technical and professional skills. I now share my home with a bonded pair of free-range, up-eared rabbits. Affectionately known as “the hooligans,” Ellie and Coco came to me from a foster family who took them in after they were abandoned outdoors by their previous owners.
Kristina O’Hanley (PhD Candidate)
I am a PhD candidate in the Department of Population Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College. I initially completed my BSc in Biochemistry, but after working in various capacities for the Guelph Humane Society I switched fields and completed my MSc in the area of applied animal behaviour and welfare with Dr. Lee Niel. My MSc research examined how the early rearing environment influences fear and aggression in cats reared in foster care as kittens. For my PhD I am examining how cats respond to different types of petting, and what factors influence the development of petting-related aggression.
Niloofar Hashemi Tehrani (MSc student)
Niloofar is a veterinarian with a strong interest in dog behaviour and welfare. She joined the lab in 2024 and for her research she will be examining early socialization and training practices used by Canadian and American dog breeders.
Alumni (selected)
PhD Program:
Quinn Rausch (PhD 2023) – Postdoctoral Fellow, Clinical Studies, University of Guelph
Courtney Graham (PhD 2023) Assistant Professor in One Welfare at University of Guelph
Anastasia Stellato (MSc 2016 & PhD 2019) – Assistant Professor in Companion Animal Science at Texas Tech University (2021)
Carly Moody (PhD 2018) – Assistant Professor in Animal Welfare Epidemiology at University of California Davis
Hannah Flint (PhD 2017) – Applied Behaviour Senior Research Scientist at WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute
Lauren Dawson (PhD 2016) – Associate Brand Manager, Trouw Nutrition
Jacquelyn Jacobs (PhD 2016) – Assistant Professor in Animal Science at Michigan State University
MSc Program:
Samantha White (MSc 2019) – Outreach Coordinator – Women in Engineering, University of Waterloo
Melissa Speirs (MSc 2015) – Manager of Farm Animal Welfare at BC SPCA
Julia Espinosa (MSc 2016) – Postdoctoral Researcher, Harvard University
Megan Toner (MSc 2012) – Veterinarian, Burnhamthorpe Animal Hospital
Mark Kotipelto (MSc 2011) – Senior Commodity Advisor, Farm Products Council of Canada