Human-animal Interactions and Animal Behavior and WelfareMy primary research focus and leadership is on human-animal interactions, also known as anthrozoology. This research area frequently rivets public attention, often contributing to the School of Veterinary Medicine's mission, "Addressing societal needs." Campus-wide, "Public Scholarship" has become a major initiative, advocating for research and teaching that are "focused on issues of public concern," so as to "aim to improve the well-being of individuals, communities, and the planet." My overall objective within these missions is to conduct research that can optimize human-animal relationships and advance the field of anthrozoology.The areas of my research in anthrozoology are well-represented by the five Frontiers in Veterinary Science Research Topics I have spearheaded: children and pets; assistance dogs; effective options for spay-neuter of dogs; stress and joy of animal care professionals in zoos; and cats' behaviors and interactions with humans.A second research focus is basic animal behavior. Continuing a long-term interest in various behaviors of elephants, two recent papers carry the first reports of yawning and contagious yawning-conspecific with elephants and heterospecific with humans.The third research focus concerns fostering animal welfare and uses of alternative methods in teaching. One recent paper concerns assessment of clay models versus cat dissection in high school human physiology classes. A second project involved teaching clinical animal behavior to veterinary students in small groups working up behavior problems of classmates' pets, giving students roles as clinician, scribe and the client.