Dr Deborah Wells
Biographical Details
I graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in 1992 with a first class Honours degree in Psychology. I subsequently went on to pursue a PhD on the behaviour and welfare of sheltered dogs, for which I was awarded my doctorate in 1996. I was employed as a Lecturer in Animal Welfare in the School of Psychology at Queen’s in 1999, and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2004
Research Interests
My research is largely concerned with the behaviour and welfare of captive animals, in particular those housed in rescue shelters (dogs, cats) and zoos (primates, elephants). Much of this work has focused on finding ways of improving the psychological well-being of these animals through the implementation of scientifically tried and tested environmental enrichment schemes. More recent research has concentrated on animal laterality, sensory perception, and the association between companion animals and human health.
Research Requiring Volunteers
Dogs and Human Diabetes
Research funding was secured from Diabetes UK last year to explore whether there is any scientific evidence to suggest that dogs can detect hypoglycaemia, or low blood sugar, in their human owners. The study attracted an enormous amount of positive attention. We would like to thank all of those people who contacted us regarding the project, in particular the many individuals who kindly took part in our online survey. Over 300 people responded to the call for volunteers and we secured an enormous amount of very useful information from dog owners around the world.
The study has just come to an end, and we are no longer recruiting volunteers. We are now in the throes of analysing our data to establish whether or not untrained dogs can detect hypoglycaemia! Once this has been completed, we will post the results on this web site.
For further information on the work, please contact Dr Deborah Wells, d.wells@qub.ac.uk
Cat Research
Cats are complicated and fascinating creatures. We are planning to carry out some exciting new projects on cat behaviour and welfare in 2008. In order to do this, we are trying to compile a list of dedicated cat owners to help with our studies. If you are interested in learning more, or taking part in any of our studies, then please contact: Sarah Millsopp: Tel: 028 9097 4550; email: smillsopp01@qub.ac.uk
Publications over last 2 years
Wells, D.L., McDonald, C.L. & Ringland, J.E. (2008). Colour preferences in gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Journal of Comparative Psychology 122, 213-219.
Wells, D.L., Hepper, P.G., Coleman, D. & Challis, M.G. (2007). A note on the effect of olfactory stimulation on the behaviour and welfare of zoo-housed gorillas. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 106, 155-160.
Wells, D.L. (2007). Public understanding of toxocariasis. Public Health 121, 187-188.
Wells, D.L. (2007). Domestic dogs and human health: an overview. British Journal of Health Psychology 12, 145-156.
Wells, D.L. (2007). Dogs as social catalysts. In: Bekoff, M. (Ed.). Encyclopedia of Human-Animal Relationships Volume 1. Greenwood Press, London, pp. 186-188.
Wells, D.L. (2006). Aromatherapy for travel-induced excitement in domestic dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 229, 964-967.
Wells, D.L. (2006). Factors influencing owners' reactions to their dogs' fouling. Environment and Behavior 38, 707-714.
Wells, D.L., Coleman, D. & Challis, M.G. (2006). A note on the effect of auditory stimulation on the behaviour and welfare of zoo-housed gorillas. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 100, 327-332.
Wells, D.L. & Hepper, P.G. (2006). Prenatal olfactory learning in the domestic dog. Animal Behaviour 72, 681-686.
Hepper, P.G. & Wells, D.L. (2006). Perinatal olfactory learning in the domestic dog. Chemical Senses 31, 207-212.
Wells, D.L., Irwin, R.M. & Hepper, P.G. (2006). Lateralised swimming behaviour in the California sea lion. Behavioural Processes 73, 121-123.
External funding over last 2 years
Wells, D.L. & Wylie, A. (2008). The effect of a novel feedstuff on the faecal consistency and welfare of dogs and cats. Grant awarded by Knowledge Transfer Partnership. £120,000. Industrial Partner: Devenish Nutrition Ltd.
Wells, D.L. & Hepper, P.G. (2007). The importance of early education in adult cat food choice. Grant awarded by Nestlé. £110,000
Wells, D.L., Lawson, S.W., Strong, V. & Siriwardena, A. (2007). Dogs as detectors of hypyoglycaemia. Grant awarded by Diabetes UK. £10,000
Wells, D.L. (2007). Assessing the value of pet ownership for people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Grant awarded by Society for Companion Animal Studies. £5,000
Wells, D.L. (2007). Visitor attitudes to Belfast Zoological Gardens 2007. Grant awarded by Belfast City Council. £3,000
Lawson, S.W., Mills, D. & Wells, D.L. (2006). Using analyses of human-animal social interactions to inform human interactions with ambient technologies. Grant awarded by Microsoft. £70,000
Wells, D.L. (2006). The behaviour and welfare of Asian elephants. Grant awarded by Dublin Zoo. 10,000 Euros
Wells, D.L. (2006). Visitor attitudes to Belfast Zoological Gardens 2006. Grant awarded by Belfast City Council. £2,700
Wells, D.L. (2006). Primate behaviour and welfare. Grant awarded by Belfast City Council. £1,000
Other Information
Director, Animal Behaviour Centre, QUB
Adviser of Studies, QUB
Member, School of Psychology Management Committee, QUB
Member, Education Committee, ASAB
University Link Representative, UFAW