From Lab to Lawn: Putting Pups First in the Research Process and Beyond

Barking Mad

In this episode of Barking Mad, Jordan Tyler sits down with Jessica Smidt, Co-Owner and Trainer with Think Positive Pets Training and Behavior Services, alongside two members of the BSM Partners Research Team—Dr. Bradley Quest and Dr. Stephanie Clark.

We explore how BSM Partners partnered with Jess and other KPA-certified dog training experts to ensure the 65 dogs used in its DCM research were successfully adopted to loving homes once the study concluded.

The conversation covers:

· The taboo of animal research

· How socialization and training can make all the difference for dog adoption

· Opportunities to improve adopter education for all animals

Jessica Smidt, co-owner and trainer at Think Positive Pets Training and Behavior Services, where she shares her love for dogs in the form of dog training, socialization, obedience and behavior consulting. Jess also serves as the Animal Assisted Therapy Program Coordinator for Mayo Clinic, where she has trained, assessed and placed therapy dogs so they can share the healing powers of companionship with patients who need it most.

Tune in to learn more about this partnership, and stay tuned for updates and heartfelt stories from some of the people who adopted these research dogs into their homes, coming soon on www.bsmpartners.net/resources.

Links:

Connect with Jessica Smidt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-smidt-0778652a/

Forever Fido Puppy Rescue near Rochester, Minnesota: https://foreverfido.org/

The Family Fido Fear Free Training, Boarding, and Daycare: https://www.thefamilyfido.com/

Jessica Smidt’s published research: https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Jessica-M-Smidt-2150739261

Show Notes:

00:00 – Behind the Episode

02:08 – Introducing Jessica Smidt, Deb Jones, Dr. Bradley Quest, and Dr. Stephanie Clark

03:03 – Getting to know Jess

03:45 – Researching with Animals: Keeping Welfare Top-of-Mind

05:56 – Breaking Down BSM Partners’ DCM Study (And the Importance of Conducting Dog Research on Dogs)

07:43 – Prepping Research Pups with Their Forever Homes

08:50 – An Expert’s Perspective on Socializing and Training Research Dogs

09:55 – An Exercise in Matchmaking

11:49 – Adopter Education is Crucial

12:44 – A Perfect Placement Rate!

13:17 – A Dog Trainer’s View on Shelter Adoption Challenges

17:09 – The COVID-Era Bell Curve of Dog Adoptions

17:51 – How Researchers Interacted With and Cared for These Research Dogs

19:33 – The High Cost of Dog Ownership (And of Research)

21:55 – No Dog Left Behind

24:28 – Cider, Grandpa, The Kardashian Sisters… Oh My!

26:00 – More on Jess’s Background and Her Own Rescue—Forever Fido Puppy Rescue

28:35 – Conclusion and Farewell