Celebrating My First Research Publication: A Milestone in Animal Behavior

Publishing my first research paper has been a milestone I have been working towards (slowly) for years. This week, I am thrilled to share that my work is officially published and available for readers through the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants. This moment marks not just the end of a long process but the beginning of new opportunities to contribute to my field and engage with a wider academic community.

Also a HUGE thank you to my colleagues and friends who helped with writing advice, advanced reading, and feedback for the article: Suzanne Clothier, Dr. Maurice Hamington, and Julia Walker foremost.

Read The Article

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What This Publication Means to Me

Having my research published is more than just a personal achievement. It represents a contribution to the collective knowledge in my field and opens doors for collaboration and discussion. I hope that my work will inspire others to explore similar questions and build upon the findings.

I'm particularly pleased that the IAABC Foundation Journal has chosen to publish this work. They are amazing to work with: communicative, helpful with feedback, and flexible. They also represent a community that historically focused on companion animal behavior. Having them expand and share anthrozoological work that focuses on the more-than-human perspective is bringing a wider academic view to the animal behavior community.

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Looking Ahead: Future Directions in My Work

Publishing this paper has also clarified the direction I want to take my work next. I’ve spent years listening to people who live and work alongside animals—trainers, keepers, researchers, advocates—and I want to continue making their knowledge accessible to a wider audience.

Exploring New Ideas

One of my long-term goals is to develop a book that brings together my experiences with dogs, big cats, and other species. I want to explore what our relationships with animals reveal about us. I’m also considering a practical dog-training book. Perhaps I’ll create a more reflective project that asks, quite literally, what is the deal with animals?

Expanding My Reach

Alongside writing, I’m expanding the ways I support the animal behavior and anthrozoology communities. I’m now offering podcast coverage for conferences. This includes capturing key conversations, interviewing presenters, and helping organizations share their work with a wider audience.

I’m also developing workshops for conferences and academic groups. These will help researchers, practitioners, and students feel confident as podcast guests or even start their own shows. There is so much valuable work happening in this field, and I want to help more people feel equipped to share it.

A New Beginning

This publication marks a beginning as much as an achievement. I’m looking forward to building on it in ways that continue to support animals, the people who work with them, and the conversations that connect us.

Vote and Join: Support My Journey

If you’d like to support this work and help me continue producing accessible, evidence-based conversations about human-animal relationships, you can join me on Patreon. Your support helps fund podcast production, research time, and future projects like the books and workshops I’m developing. You’ll also get behind-the-scenes updates, early access to episodes, and occasional bonus content. You can join here

I’m also excited to share that The Deal With Animals has been nominated in the Women in Podcasting Awards in the Pets and Animals category. If the podcast has been meaningful to you, please take a moment to vote and share the link with others who might enjoy the show. Independent podcasts grow because listeners champion them, and your support genuinely makes a difference.