Golden Retrievers and Humans Share Genetic Roots of Emotion, Study Finds

A new genomic study led by researchers at the University of Cambridge has revealed a remarkable overlap between the genes that influence human temperament and those that shape the personalities of our pets — in this case, golden retrievers. Analysing the DNA of around 1,300 dogs, the scientists identified genetic variants that correlate with …

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Misreading canine and feline emotions. Infographic.

This is a 2-page infographic on the important topic of reading canine emotions. The infographic was created around an article in The Times newspaper (11th March 2025) which was itself based on research at the Arizona State University. The key to the research was in observing a dog’s reaction to something pleasant (going for …

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Your employer decides if you can take an emotional support dog to work (UK)

Deborah Cullingford and Bella her emotional support dog

UK: Emotional support dogs and/or therapy dogs (or cats) are not protected in law in the UK and therefore there is no obligation for an employer to allow them in the workplace with their owner. It’s down to each employer (organisation) to decide if an employee can take an emotional support or therapy dog …

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Return my emotional support alligator (ESA) and make it snappy pleads his ‘dad’

Wally the emotional support alligator being kissed by Joie Henney. The alligator called Wally was stolen and subsequently trapped and released into the wild.

Pennsylvania, USA: Wally, a 5.5 foot long, 8-year-old alligator was classified as an emotional support animal (ESA) albeit a very unusual ESA. Any animal can be an ESA but they have to be domesticated in order to get along in public places and when meeting people. Wally was domesticated and he has behaved impeccable …

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Non-cat owners ask: “Do cats get emotionally attached to their owners like dogs?”

Timothy Hardway with his cat

To good cat owners – and the vast majority are at least decent at the job – the question in the title is bizarre and slightly upsetting as it implies that cats simply don’t become emotionally attached to their owner when obviously they do otherwise there wouldn’t be many millions of happy cats and …

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Emotionally cats help people to sleep but behaviorally they disrupt sleep

Man's sleep is disturbed by his cat! He can't breathe.

There appears to be two opposing forces in play when it comes to how cats and dogs affect human sleep. On the positive side, the emotional support and warmth that cats and dogs bring to their human caregivers promotes better sleep. On the negative side, the behavior of a companion animal – particularly cats …

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Awarding fixed damages for emotional distress on criminal damage to cats and dogs

I award $2,000 for emotional distress on the loss of you cat!

Judges should be under a legal obligation to award fixed damages for emotional distress in a claim for compensation for the illegal loss or injury of a cat or dog. In this article I’m referring to the way the courts undervalue companion dogs and cats and indeed other animals. If a person’s dog or …

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