Center for Canine Behavior Studies Receives Grant from
MADDIE’S FUND®
Bloomfield, Conn. (May 12, 2015) - The Center for Canine Behavior Studies (CCBS), a unit of The Simon
Foundation, Inc of Bloomfield, Connecticut, one of the larger no-kill shelters in North America, has
received a research grant from Maddie’s Fund® to support the Center’s inaugural study—the Animal
Ownership Interaction Study.
Maddie’s vital support brings CCBS one step closer to launching this groundbreaking study. The study is a
longitudinal investigation of owner-dog personality and psychological interaction factors that contribute to
the relinquishment of dogs by their owners/adopters. Relinquishment is the largest single contributing
cause of shelter overcrowding and canine euthanasia, which is estimated to be 1.25 to 1.5 million of dogs
per year in the United States alone.
The study is being led by Nicholas H. Dodman, BVMS, DACVB,CCBS’s chief scientific officer and chair
of its Scientific Advisory Board. Dodman, a veterinary behaviorist and faculty member at Cummings
School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, is assisted by James A. Serpell, BSc, Ph.D. of the
University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, also a renowned expert on animal behavior and
welfare. CCBS’s advisory board also includes Ian Dunbar, BVetMed, Ph.D., MRCVS and Brian Hare,
Ph.D. of Duke University.
"The Center for Canine Behavior Studies is led by a team of experts with an incredible wealth of
knowledge," said Dr. Sheila D'Arpino, D.V.M., DACVB, Director of Research at Maddie's Fund. "We
look forward to learning more about the relationships between the behavior of people and dogs, as
well as learning about potential methods to enhance those relationships. We are pleased be able to
support the Animal Ownership Interaction Study, thanks to Maddie."
Chris Janelli, CCBS executive director, stated, “We couldn’t be more grateful for this support from
Maddie’s Fund®, which brings us one significant step closer to launching the study. We look forward to
getting underway with our work and, eventually, the day when the tragedy of canine euthanasia is a thing
of the past.”
The CCBS study is viewed as one of the major examples to date of canine research organized around the
principles of so-called “citizen science,” an emerging trend in academic research that involves specialized
segments of interested citizens—in this case dog lovers and adopters—to join with credentialed researchers
in collecting the study data to be analyzed.
Participant citizen-volunteers can register to participate in this study via the CCBS website
centerforcaninebehaviorstudies.org.
To date, the Center reports that nearly 3,000 participants—with more than 3,500 companion dogs—have
enrolled to participate. Once the study is launched, there will be an aggressive registration campaign that is
expected to enroll many more thousands of dog-owner volunteers making it the largest study of its kind
ever undertaken.
Once the Study is opened for enrolled participants, Study volunteers will complete a 5-section on-line
questionnaire asking 100 questions about themselves, their dogs and their relationship with their dogs. At
6-month intervals participants will retake 3-sections of the questionnaire.
The study data will be analyzed at 6-month intervals and reach its final conclusions on two years of
collected data. The study may continue beyond that point to follow the lives of member dogs in order to
continue to gather important information regarding their human-canine bond.
CCBS hopes that ultimately the study’s findings will pave the way for new standards to be incorporated
into the operations of animal shelters and veterinary facilities every time a rescued dog is placed with an
adopter, in order to maximize the human-canine bond and significantly reduce relinquishment and canine
euthanasia.
- End-
About the Center for Canine Behavior Studies
Our Motto: A home for life for all dogs.
Our Mission: To maintain the behavioral wellness of dogs and strengthen the human-companion animal
bond to ensure that dogs remain in their owners’ home as trusted and valued companions for life.
In pursuit of that mission, the Center for Canine Behavior Studies investigates and studies the most unique
inter-species interaction in the animal kingdom. Behavior is the # 1 killer of dogs under the age of 3.
Behavior is why people have pets, but unacceptable behavior is the primary reason why people relinquish
them. By observing and analyzing the myriad factors that surround the lives of dogs and their owners, we
will better understand the problems—and solutions—to reducing avoidable abandonment or return of dogs
into the shelter system. The Center supports owners in resolving dog behavior problems that can lead to
relinquishment and all too often ultimately euthanasia.
The Center for Canine Behavior Studies is part of The Simon Foundation, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)3 that
is one of Connecticut’s largest no kill animal rescue and adoption centers located in Bloomfield. The
Foundation was founded by Mark and Linda Greenberg and named for their beloved dog Simon. Every
year over 500 Animals who would have otherwise been abandoned, neglected, abused, or euthanized
through no fault of their own, find new, loving, forever homes, or live out their lives in peace in the
sanctuary of The Simon Foundation.
Contact: Chris Janelli, Executive Director
860.485.4066
[email protected]
About Maddie’s Fund®
The Maddie's Fund ® mission is to revolutionize the status and well-being of companion animals.
Maddie's Fund ® is a family foundation founded in 1994 by Workday co-founder Dave Duffield and
his wife, Cheryl, who have endowed the Foundation with more than $300 million. Since then, they
have awarded more than $153 million in grants toward increased community lifesaving, shelter
medicine education, and pet adoptions across the U.S. The Duffields named Maddie's Fund ® after
their Miniature Schnauzer Maddie, who always made them laugh and comforted them during stressful
business times when Dave was launching a startup software company. Maddie was with Dave and
Cheryl from 1987-1997 and continues to inspire them today.
Contact: Sharon Fletcher, Director of Marketing & Communications
925.310.5458
[email protected]