Duffield Institute for Animal Behavior hosts inaugural symposium

Friday, August 8, 2025 - 9:59am

Man in wheelchair with service dog at duffield symposium welcome table — The symposium focused on key themes such as the transformative impact of human-animal interaction.

On July 31 and August 1, the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) hosted the inaugural Duffield Institute Service Dog Symposium, welcoming 92 attendees and over 25 service dogs to CVM’s campus.

In 2022, the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation made a transformative gift to the College of Veterinary Medicine to establish the Duffield Institute for Animal Behavior. “The institute’s mission is to advance the understanding of animal behavior and well-being of companion animals, with the goal of improving the lives of companion animals and the people who share their lives,” says David Lee ’88, D.V.M. ’94, M.B.A. ’99, associate dean for external programs.

David Lee talking on a microphone — David Lee ’88, D.V.M. ’94, M.B.A. ’99, associate dean for external programs addresses symposium guests.

The Duffield’s gift also supported the creation of summer programming for service dog trainers and allied professionals to share best practices in the training and care of service dogs and to help address the nationwide shortage of both trainers and dogs to assist veterans and others in need. That programming has become the Duffield Institute Service Dog Symposium.

Woman with a service talk giving a talk in a lecture hall — A speaker and service dog present to the symposium audience.

Symposium guests included veterinarians, trainers, puppy breeders and raisers, handlers, researchers, and veterinary students. Teams from interest groups such as Clear Path for Veterans, Guiding Eyes for The Blind, Liberty Dogs, and Warrior Canine Connection, among many others, were also in attendance.

The event focused on key themes such as the transformative impact of human-animal interaction; advanced service and guide dog training techniques; as well as canine cognition, welfare and pain management.

A Rottweiler service dog — A service dog relaxes in the CVM atrium during the event.

The keynote talk, “The science behind service dogs for military-connected PTSD,” was given by Dr. Maggie O’Haire, associate dean for research at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine and internationally recognized expert in human-animal interaction.

“This inaugural symposium was a huge success,” says Dr. Sun-A Kim, the Dave and Cheryl Duffield Assistant Professor at the Duffield Institute. “The event sparked engaging discussions and learning opportunities and lays an excellent foundation for future events focused on service dog training and welfare.”