Animal Welfare Professionals

Maddie's^® Insights is our ongoing webcast series with practical tips based on current research to help pets and people. This January 2026 webcast shares insights into how allowing animals to exercise choice, such as initiating or avoiding touch, can reduce stress and support more positive interactions. Our speaker is Dr. @Amir Sarrafchi, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada.

Respecting an animal's signals during interactions can significantly enhance their welfare and improve the human-animal interactions. In this presentation, Dr. Amir Sarrafchi will discuss his research on how dogs respond behaviourally when allowed to choose or refuse human contact. Drawing from his work on animal agency and consent, Dr. Sarrafchi will explore how these concepts can be practically applied in everyday animal care, shelter environments, and adoption programs.

The session will translate research findings into simple, effective strategies that caretakers, trainers, and shelter staff can use to promote consent-based handling and improve welfare outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize behavioural indicators that reflect a dog's comfort or discomfort during human interaction

• Understand the importance of agency and consent in enhancing animal welfare and fostering a more humane relationship between humans and animals

• Apply practical strategies for incorporating choice and consent into daily care, training, and shelter routines

Earn continuing education credit from The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement towards 1.0 CAWA CEs. This webinar has also been pre-approved for 1.0 continuing education credits by the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA). It has also been approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval.  To download a certificate for CEs, watch the recording on Maddie's University: https://university.maddiesfund.org/products/maddies-insights-consentful-contact-pilot-study-on-human-dog-touch-on-demand