ASAS Centennial Paper: The future of teaching and research in companion animal biology in departments of animal sciences.

This research article discusses the changing landscape of animal science departments in universities, particularly their shift in focus from food animals to companion animals. The authors outline different strategies departments are adopting to broaden their scope of teaching and research, along with the challenges and opportunities this evolving focus brings.

Shift in Student Interests

• The study notes a shift in student interest from food animals to companion animals, largely due to a decrease in people involved in animal agriculture. The continued prevalence of large-scale animal farming means fewer individuals are needed to provide society’s animal-based food products.
• Due to this trend, many animal science departments are witnessing reduced enrollment from students interested in food animals. In response, these departments are welcoming students with diverse backgrounds and beginning research on animals beyond just those used for food.

Emergence of Companion Animal Science

• With a significant number of students showing interest in companion animals (pets), new fields of study are emerging in animal science departments. These departments are faced with the challenge of expanding their efforts in teaching, research, and outreach for these categories of animals.
• Some departments are offering successful courses and curriculums based on companion animal science, serving as a model for other universities. Others are expanding their teaching across their university to discuss pets with a wider audience than just their own students.

Research in Companion Animal Science

• Research efforts on pets have begun, with a few faculty members securing external funding for projects on companion animals, including horses. However, expanding this to a significant scale for other animals like dogs, cats, birds, fish, or exotic creatures will prove challenging.
• For a wider scope of research on companion animals to occur, departments need to dedicate resources and potentially form partnerships with other universities and colleges, particularly those of veterinary or medical specialties.

Funding Opportunities and Challenges

• The authors note that traditional funding channels for research in areas such as nutrition, reproduction, and physiology are inconsistent and limited. On the other hand, veterinary genetics and genomics are recognized as promising areas for potential funding, especially with the progression of the equine, canine, and feline genome projects.
• The paper suggests that private foundations or animal-supportive organizations could fund studies related to animal behavior and welfare, offering another promising avenue for expanding research into companion animal science.