Transylvania Launches Animal Behavior Research Center
The new center expands a dog cognition lab founded in 2024 into a broader program on animal behavior and well-being.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Dogs
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Transylvania University has established a Center for Animal Behavior, Cognition & Well-Being, building on the Dog Behavior & Cognition Lab founded in 2024 by Ellen Furlong and Rebecca Singer. The center will initially use the Dog Lab's existing space and resources.
Why it matters
The expansion extends undergraduate research in Lexington beyond dogs to include cat behavior and welfare, with collaborations across six institutions. It offers local pet owners a university-based research hub focused on animal well-being.
The program has engaged 52 undergraduate researchers and built a database of more than 800 dogs since its 2024 launch. Students and faculty have also completed more than 300 hours of research on cat behavior and welfare at the Lexington Humane Society.
The players
Transylvania University
A private liberal arts university in Lexington, Kentucky, which established the center and houses the research program.
Lexington Humane Society
A local animal welfare organization in Lexington that partners with the university on cat behavior and welfare research.
The details
The center's educational approach, called Big Research at Small Schools, pairs close faculty mentorship with research opportunities, and students conduct studies, present at conferences, and contribute to publications. The first canine participant was welcomed in June 2024, and the Dog Behavior & Cognition Lab will remain a flagship laboratory within the center.
Timeline
June 2024: First canine participant welcomed into the program.
2024: Program launched and Dog Behavior & Cognition Lab founded.
November 5, 2026: Center for Animal Behavior, Cognition & Well-Being announced.
Roadmap
The center applies Transylvania's Big Research at Small Schools model, which pairs undergraduates with faculty on hands-on studies, to a broader set of animal species. It extends a single dog cognition lab into an institution-wide program with partners across six institutions.
Lexington dog owners may see more local research on canine cognition and welfare through the university's expanded program. The Lexington Humane Society partnership means cat owners in the area could also benefit from studies on feline behavior.
The takeaway
Owners interested in how their pets think and behave can look to university research programs like this one for evidence-based insight into animal well-being. Participation in local studies can also help advance understanding of companion animal care.
Further reading
Explore more on Dogs in the Lexington area and how local research is shaping pet care.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Lane Report | Kentucky Business & Economic News.
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