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The Thinking Pets Program
Tan mixed breed dog lays down with glasses on and an open book next to him.

Publications

To read more about our canine and feline research, explore the articles and abstracts below:

Behavior

Tan puppy takes a treat from a human hand in the corner of the frame.

Randomized, Placebo-controlled Prospective Clinical Trial Evaluating the Efficacy of the Assisi Anti-anxiety Device (Calmer Canine) for the Treatment of Canine Separation Anxiety

Pankratz, K., Korman, J., Emke, C., Johnson, B., Griffith, E. H., & Gruen, M. E. (2021). Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8, 1-10.

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Red heart-shaped balloons float toward the blue sky.

A Literature Review: Pet Bereavement and Coping Mechanisms

Park, R. M., Royal, K. D., & Gruen, M. E. (2021). Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 24(2), 1-16.

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Saluki looks off to the side with a smile.

Evaluation of Pexion® (Imepitoin) for Treatment of Storm Anxiety in Dogs: A Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial

Perdew, I., Emke, C., Johnson, B., Dixit, V., Song, Y., Griffith, E. H., . . . Gruen, M. E. (2021). The Veterinary Record, 188(9), e18.

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Black pug sits in a flower bed of red flowers.

Association Between Dog Owner Demographics and Decision to Seek Veterinary Care

Park, R. M., Gruen, M. E., & Royal, K. (2021). Veterinary Sciences, 8 (1), 1-19.

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Black and white collie mix dog looking anxious.

Evaluation of Repeated Dosing of a Dexmedetomidine Oromucosal Gel for Treatment of Noise Aversion in Dogs Over a Series of Noise Events

Gruen, M., Case, B. C., Robertson, J. B., Campbell, S., & Korpivaara, M. E. (2020). Veterinary Record, 187(12), 489-495.

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Three yellow dogs sit side-by-side and stare into distance.

A Systematic Literature Review of Animal-Assisted Interventions in Oncology (Part I): Methods and Results

Holder, T. R. N., Gruen, M. E., Roberts, D. L., Somers, T., & Bozkurt, A. (2020). Integrative Cancer Therapies, 19, 1-19.

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Man and his dog on a sunset walk on the beach.

A Systematic Literature Review of Animal-Assisted Interventions in Oncology (Part II): Theoretical Mechanisms and Frameworks

Holder, T. R. N., Gruen, M. E., Roberts, D. L., Somers, T., & Bozkurt, A. (2020). Integrative Cancer Therapies, 19, 1-18.

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Heartrate drawn in sharpie over two hearts graphic.

Preliminary Evaluation of a Wearable Sensor System for Heart Rate Assessment in Guide Dog Puppies

Foster, M., Brugarolas, R., Walker, K., Mealin, S., Cleghern, Z., Yuschak, S., . . . Bozkurt, A. (2020). IEEE Sensors Journal, 20(16), 9449-9459.

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Black lab puppy sits upright on a rock with a vest on looking into the distance.

Effect of Wearing a Telemetry Jacket on Behavioral and Physiologic Parameters of Dogs in the Open-field Test

Fish, R. E., Foster, M. L., Gruen, M. E., Sherman, B. L., & Dorman, D. C. (2017).. Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, 56(4), 382-389.

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Golden retriever lays on a picnic table with a red vest.

A Test for the Evaluation of Emotional Reactivity in Labrador Retrievers Used for Explosives Detection

Sherman, B. L., Gruen, M. E., Case, B. C., Foster, M. L., Fish, R. E., Lazarowski, L., . . . Dorman, D. C. (2015). Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 10(2), 94-102.

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Black lab looks into distance with tongue out.

The Use of an Open-field Model to Assess Sound-induced Fear and Anxiety-associated Behaviors in Labrador Retrievers

Gruen, M. E., Case, B. C., Foster, M. L., Lazarowski, L., Fish, R. E., Landsberg, G., . . . Sherman, B. L. (2015). Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 10(4), 338-345.

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cognition

German Shepherd puppy walks toward the camera on a red leash with tongue out.

Cooperative Communication with Humans Evolved to Emerge Early in Domestic Dogs

Salomons, H., Smith, K. C. M., Callahan-Beckel, M., Callahan, M., Levy, K., Kennedy, B. S., . . . Hare, B. (2021). Current Biology, 31(14), 3137-3144.

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White puppy yawning on a white background.

Dog Cognitive Development: A Longitudinal Study Across the First 2 Years of Life

Bray, E. E., Gruen, M. E., Gnanadesikan, G. E., Horschler, D. J., Levy, K. M., Kennedy, B. S., . . . MacLean, E. L. (2021). Animal Cognition, 24(2), 311-328.

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White spotted dog sleeping on a red checkered blanket.

A Brief Report of Sleep and Circadian Rhythm Quotas in a Population of Dog Owners in North Carolina, USA

Patel, U. A., Gruen, M. E., & Samson, D. R. (2021). bioRxiv, 1-14.

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Brown and tan puppy with orange harness stands and looks above camera.

Cognitive Characteristics of 8- to 10-week-old Assistance Dog Puppies

Bray, E. E., Gruen, M. E., Gnanadesikan, G. E., Horschler, D. J., Levy, K. M., Kennedy, B. S., . . . MacLean, E. L. (2020). Animal Behaviour, 166, 193-206.

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Grey and tan puppies cuddle in a bed.

A Functional Linear Modeling Approach to Sleep-wake Cycles in Dogs

Woods, H. J., Li, M. F., Patel, U. A., Lascelles, B. D. X., Sampson, D. R., & Gruen, M. G. (2020). Scientific Reports, 10, 1-8.

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Brown and white hound licks a tupperware bowl in our cognitive lab.

Does the Cognitive Bias Test in Dogs Depend on Spatial Learning

Gruen, M. E., Foster, M. L., Lazarowski, L., Jeffries, A., Sherman, B. L., & Dorman, D. C. (2019). Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 33, 1-6.

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Golden retriever with pink harness sits next to the cylinder task in our cognitive lab.

Acquisition of a Visual Discrimination and Reversal Learning Task by Labrador Retrievers

Lazarowski, L., Foster, M. L., Gruen, M. E., Sherman, B. L., Case, B. C., Fish, R. E., . . . Dorman, D. C. (2014). Animal Cognition, 17(3), 787-792.

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NEuroAging

Walking Dogs

Activity Patterns are Associated with Fractional Lifespan, Memory, and Gait Speed in Aged Dogs

Mondino A, Khan M, Case B, Giovagnoli S, Thomson A, Lascelles BDX, Gruen ME, Olby N. (2023). Nature Scientific Reports, 13

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3 Dogs

Relationship Between Engagement with the Impossible Task, Cognitive Testing, and Cognitive Questionnaires in a Population of Aging Dogs

Khan MZ, Mondino A, Russell K, Case B, Fefer G, Woods H, Olby N, Gruen ME. (2023). Frontiers in Veterinary Science

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Aging Dog

Use of Cognitive Testing, Questionnaires and Plasma Biomarkers to Quantify Cognitive Impairment in an Aging Pet Dog Population

Fefer G, Panek WK, Khan MZ, Singer M, Westermeyer H, Mowat FM, Murdoch DM, Case B, Olby NJ*, Gruen ME*. (2022). Journal of Alzheimers Disease, Jan. 2022:1367 – 1378.

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Elderly GSD

Relationship Between Hearing, Cognitive Function, and Quality of Life in Aging Companion Dogs

Fefer G, Khan MZ, Panek WK, Case B, Gruen ME*, Olby NJ*. (2022). Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 36 (5), 1708-1718.

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Shiba Inu stands on a platform facing sideways.

Static Posturography as a Novel Measure of the Effects of Aging on Postural Control in Dogs

Mondino A., Wagner G., Russell K., Lobaton E., Griffith E, Gruen, M., . . . Olby, N. J. (2022). PLoS ONE, 17(7), 1-20.

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Black and Tan collie mix stares at camera with a smile.

Use of Cognitive Testing, Questionnaires, and Plasma Biomarkers to Quantify Cognitive Impairment in an Aging Pet Dog Population

Fefer, G., Panek, W. K., Khan, M. Z., Singer, M., Westermeyer, H. D., Mowat, F. M., . . . Gruen, M. E. (2022). Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 87(3), 1367-1378.

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Tan and white mixed breed dog stands in front of a fence and looks back toward camera.

Canine Geriatric Syndrome: A Framework for Advancing Research in Veterinary Geroscience

McKenzie, B. A., Chen, F. L., Gruen, M. E., & Olby, N. J. (2022). Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9, 1-13.

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Black and brown dog staring at camera from middle of nose and up.

Age-related Visual Decline in Companion Dogs: A Cross-sectional ERG Study in a Translational Model Species

Mowat, F. M., Panek, W. K., Fefer, G., Banghart, M., Wagner, G., Westermeyer, H. D., . . . Olby, N. (2021). Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 62(8), 500.

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Black and white spotted dog staring into distance.

Plasma Amyloid Beta Concentrations in Aged and Cognitively Impaired Pet Dogs

Panek, W. K., Murdoch, D. M., Gruen, M. E., Mowat, F. M., Marek, R. D., & Olby, N. J. (2021). Molecular Neurobiology, 58(2), 483-489.

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Black and tan hound stares off to side.

Sustained Gaze is a Reliable In-home Test of Attention for Aging Pet Dogs

Hoel, J. A., Templeton, G. B., Fefer, G., Case, B. C., Shah, A., Gruen, M. E., & Olby, N. J. (2021). Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8, 1-9.

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Black and blue photo of neurons.

Plasma Neurofilament Light Chain as a Translational Biomarker of Aging and Neurodegeneration in Dogs

Panek, W. K., Gruen, M. E., Murdoch, D. M., Marek, R. D., Statchel, A. F., Mowat, F. M., . . . Olby, N. J. (2020). Molecular Neurobiology, 57(7), 3143-3149.

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Olfaction

A Novel Test of Canine Olfaction for Use in Adult and Senior Pet Dogs

Khan MZ, Mondino A, Russell K, Case B, Fefer G, Woods H, Olby N, Gruen ME. (2023). Nature Scientific Reports

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German Shepherd dog sniffs ground on a beach.

Olfactory Discrimination and Generalization of Ammonium Nitrate and Structurally Related Odorants in Labrador Retrievers

Lazarowski, L., Foster, M. L., Gruen, M. E., Sherman, B. L., Fish, R. E, Milgram, N. W., & Dorman, D. C. (2015). Animal Cognition, 18(6), 1255-1265.

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Pain Management

Retriever walking toward the camera on grass.

2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats

Gruen, M. E., Lascelles, B. D. X., Colleran, E., Gottlieb, A., Johnson, J., Lotsikas, P., . . . Wright, B. (2022). Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 58(2), 55-76.

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A German Shepherd sitting and presenting their paw to the experimenter in our cognitive lab.

Assessment of Sensory Thresholds in Dogs Using Mechanical and Hot Thermal Quantitative Sensory Testing

Cunningham, R. M., Park, R. M., Knazovicky, D., Lascelles, B. D. X., & Gruen, M. E. (2021). Journal of Visualized Experiments, 176(e62841), 1-17.

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A brown and white border collie mix sits on the edge of a rock with the wind blowing.

Do Dog Breeds Differ in Pain Sensitivity? Veterinarians and the Public Believe They Do

Gruen, M. E., White, W., & Hare, B. (2020). PLoS ONE, 15(3), 1-14.

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Doberman puppy sits in a chair with eyes closed staring at the camera.

Functional Linear Modeling of Activity Data Shows Analgesic-mediated Improved Sleep in Dogs with Spontaneous Osteoarthritis Pain

Gruen, M. E., Samson, D. R., & Lascelles, B. D. X. (2019). Scientific Reports, 9(14192), 1-6.

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Tan dogs back paws.

Replicate Effects and Test-Retest Reliability of Quantitative Sensory Threshold Testing in Dogs With and Without Chronic Pain

Knazovixky, D., Helgeson, E. S., Case, B., Thomson, A., Gruen, M. E., Maixner, W., & Lascelles, B. D. X. (2018). Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 31(S 01).

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Black and brown mixed breed dog faces a gate, but looks back at the camera.

The Use of Trazodone to Facilitate Calm Behavior After Elective Orthopedic Surgery in Dogs: Results and Lessons Learned from a Clinical Trial

Gruen, M. E., Roe, S. C., Griffith, E. H., & Sherman, B. L. (2017). Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 22, 41-45.

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Brown mixed breed dog lays in a bed facing the camera.

Use of Trazadone to Facilitate Postsurgical Confinement in Dogs

Gruen, M. E., Roe, S. C., Griffist, E., Hamilton, A., & Sherman, B. L. (2014). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 245(3), 296-301.

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Behavior

Black cat lays on a white carpet upside down with multi-colored feather toy in paws.

Enrichment Preferences of FIV-infected and Uninfected Laboratory-housed Cats

Kennedy, C. J., Thomson, A. E., Griffith, E. H., Fogle, J., Lascelles, B. D. X., Meeker, R. B., . . . Gruen, M. E. (2018). Viruses, 10(7), 1-10.

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Brown striped cat is wrapped in a blue and white winter blanket looking into distance.

Efficacy of a Single Dose of Trazodone Hydrochloride Given to Cats Prior to Veterinary Visits to Reduce Signs of Transport- and Examination-related Anxiety 

Stevens, B. J., Frantz, E. M., Orlando, J. M., Griffith, E., Harden, L. B., Gruen, M. E., & Sherman, B. L. (2016). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 249(2), 202-207.

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Siamese cat is laying on belly with paws outstretched in front on a wicker chair.

Conditioning Laboratory Cats to Handling and Transport

Gruen, M. E., Thomson, A. E., Clary, G. P., Hamilton, A. K., Hudson, L. C., Meeker, R. B., & Sherman, B. L. (2013). Lab Animal, 42, 385-389.

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Cognition

Orange cat stares into corner.

Improved Neurocognitive Performance in FIV Infected Cats Following Treatment with the p75 Neurotrophin Receptor Ligand LM11A-31

Fogle, J. E., Hudson, L., Thomson, A., Sherman, B., Gruen, M, Lascelles, B. D., . . . Meeker, R. B. (2021). Journal of NeuroVirology, 27(2), 302-324.

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Brown striped cat sits behind a green fence staring across.

The Use of a T-maze to Measure Cognitive-motor Function in Cats (Felis catus)

Sherman, B. L., Gruen, M. E., Meeker, R. B., Milgram, B., DiRivera, C., Thomson, A., . . . Hudson, L. (2013). Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 8(1), 32-39.

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pain manangement

Fluffy orange cat lays down and stares into distance.

2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats

Gruen, M. E., Lascelles, B. D. X., Colleran, E., Gottlieb, A., Johnson, J., Lotsikas, P., . . . Wright, B. (2022). Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 58(2), 55-76.

View Article 
Orange cat sits on a fallen tree with fall-colored trees in the background.

Refinement of the Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index (FMPI) and Development of the Short Term FMPI

Enomoto, M., Lascelles, B. D. X., & Gruen, M. E. (2022). Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 24(2), 142-151.

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Black and white striped cat sits on a fluffy white blanket.

Evaluation of a Nutritional Supplement for the Alleviation of Pain Associated with Feline Degenerative Joint Disease: A Prospective, Randomized, Stratified, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial

Cunningham, R., Gruen, M. E., Thomson, A., & Lascelles, B. D. X. (2021). Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 1-13.

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Tan cat lays on table and stares at camera.

Frunevetmab, a Felinized Anti-nerve Growth Factor Monoclonal Antibody, for the Treatment of Pain from Osteoarthritis in Cats

Gruen, M. E., Myers, J. A. E., Tena, J. S., Becskei C., Cleaver, D. M., & Lascelles, B. D. X. (2021). Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 35, 2752-2762.

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Black cat lays across back of couch and stares at camera.

Efficacy and Safety of an Anti-nerve Growth Factor Antibody (Frunevetmab) for the Treatment of Degenerative Joint Disease-associated Chronic Pain in Cats: A Multisite Pilot Field Study

Gruen, M. E., Myers, J. A. E., & Lascelles, B. D. X. (2021). Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8, 1-13.

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Gray cat laying in bed under a blanket.

Robenacoxib Shows Efficacy for the Treatment of Chronic Degenerative Joint Disease-associated Pain in Cats: A Randomized and Blinded Pilot Clinical Trial

Adrian, D., King, J. N., Parrish, R. S., King, S. B., Budsberg, S. C., Gruen, M. E., & Lascelles, B. D. X. (2021). Scientific Reports, 11(1), 1-14.

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Brown striped cat las on a couch with toy in paws.

Development of a Checklist for the Detection of Degenerative Joint Disease-associated Pain in Cats

Enomoto, M., Lascelles, B. D. X., & Gruen, M. E. (2020). Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 22(12), 1137-1147.

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