Position Title
Assistant Professor
Education:
- Ph.D., Epidemiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph Canada
- M.S., Applied Animal Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver Canada
- B.S. (Hons)., Applied Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver Canada
Research Interests:
My research program uses a combination of applied ethology and epidemiology research methods and statistical techniques to study animal welfare. I have conducted research in a variety of areas including low-stress handling, agonistic interactions in socially housed animals, mitigating procedural pain and stress, and studying human-animal interactions. I conduct research with a range of animal species including companion, farmed, and laboratory animals. Broadly, I currently have three areas of study: 1) mitigating agonism in socially housed animals, 2) examining human-animal interactions during handling and other animal procedures, and 3) improving cat welfare in the veterinary clinic.
Intraspecific agonistic interactions are a significant and complex issue occurring in a variety of socially housed captive animals such as commercially farmed animal species (e.g., pigs, laying hens, fish), domesticated pets (e.g., cats, dogs), and laboratory animals (e.g., mice, rats, rabbits). Although agonism is a normal part of an animal’s behavioral repertoire, excessive agonism has detrimental consequences. These interactions can result in serious animal welfare issues associated with stress (e.g., subordination or dominance related), distress (i.e., prolonged inability to escape negative interactions), pain from wounding, and even death. Particularly I am interested in examining the influence of early experiences (social, environmental) on later intraspecific agonistic interactions.
I have expertise in animal handling, having conducted low stress handling research in cats, mice, rats, and pigs. I have an interest in examining human-animal interactions during animal handling and other necessary procedures. Regardless of whether animal handling is occurring on farm, in a veterinary clinic, or a research laboratory, handling and restraint methods may impact the affective state of both the animal and the handler. I am also interested in studying various approaches for improving human-animal interactions, and the impact these have on the human-animal relationship and animal welfare.
Another area of interest is examining strategies for improving cat welfare in the veterinary clinic. Routine health and behavior care are essential for maintaining cat welfare. However, many factors may impede cat owner access to care including social factors such as area of household (example: rural and remote communities), age of owner (example: senior owners may face more challenges bringing their cat to the veterinary clinic), socioeconomic factors (example: access and cost of transportation, time away from home or work), and decreased owner willingness due to stressful experiences associated with clinic visits. Furthermore, with increasing concerns around public health and safety with the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become crucial to improve accessibility to high quality veterinary care. I am interested in studying various strategies for overcoming these barriers.
I am currently accepting graduate students and undergraduate research volunteers. If you are interested in joining my lab please email me at cmoody@ucdavis.edu with your CV and research interests. My laboratory is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, and I encourage students from all backgrounds to apply.
Dr. Moody is also a faculty member with the UC Davis Center for Animal Welfare.
Graduate Groups
Selected Publications:
Moody, C., Paterson, E., Leroux-Petersen, D., Turner, P. 2020. Brown paper nest pucks may protect female C57BL/6 mice from barbering. J Am Lab Anim Assoc.
Randall, M., Moody, C., Turner, P. 2020. Mental well-being in Laboratory Animal Professionals: A cross-sectional study of compassion fatigue, contributing factors, and coping mechanisms. J Am Lab Anim Assoc.
Moody, C., Dewey, C., Niel, L. 2020. Survey of veterinary staff to identify the common cat handling techniques used in veterinary clinics throughout Canada and the United States. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 256(9):1020-1033.
Sargeant J.M., Deb, B., Bergevin, M., Churchill, K., Dawkins, K., Dunn, J., Hu, D.,Moody, C.et al. 2019. Efficacy of bacterial vaccines to prevent respiratory disease in swine: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Anim Health Res Rev. 20(2): 274-290.
Sargeant, J.M., Bergevin, M., Churchill, K., Dawkins, K., Deb, B., Dunn, J., Hu, D.,Moody, C., et al. 2019. A systematic review of the efficacy of antibiotics for the prevention of swine respiratory disease. Anim Health Res Rev. 20(2): 291-304.
Moody, C., Dewey, C., Mason, G., Niel, L. 2019. Getting a grip: cats respond negatively to scruffing and clips. Vet Record. Doi:10.1136/vr.105261.
Moody, C., Mason, G., Dewey, C., Landsberg, G., Niel, L. 2018. Testing two behavioural paradigms for use in assessing cat aversion behaviour. Appl Anim Behav Sci. 210: 73-80.
Moody, C., Dewey, C., Mason, G., Picketts, V., Niel, L. 2018. Can you handle it? Validating negative responses to restraint in cats. Appl Anim Behav Sci 204: 94-100.
Moody, C., Chua, B., Weary, D. 2015. Testing three measures of mouse insensibility following induction with isoflurane or CO2for a more humane euthanasia. Appl Anim Behav Sci 163: 183-187.
Moody, C., Weary, D. 2014. Mouse aversion to isoflurane versus carbon dioxide gas. Appl Anim Behav Sci 158: 95-101.
Moody, C.,Makowska, I.,Weary, D. 2014. The effect of carbon dioxide flow rate on the euthanasia of laboratory mice. Lab Anim 48: 298-304.