Rescue Me: Investigating the impact of ‘small furry’ animal rescue on owner wellbeing.

Description

Are you passionate about the bond between pets and their owners? We’re on a mission to explore uncharted territories in pet ownership and its impact on human wellbeing, and looking for a new team member to join us.

While much of the current research has focused on dogs and cats, we’re now turning the spotlight onto the often-overlooked world of small furry animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and rats. Our new longitudinal study aims to shed light on how these delightful companions influence mental and physical wellbeing, particularly in the context of shelter adoption.

We previously found that dog ownership is associated with greater time spent recreational walking and odds of achieving the recommended 150mins of physical activity per week. Qualitative analysis suggested that dog ownership contributed to both hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing and people with poorer mental health acquire dogs to relieve symptoms. Those who perceived lower costs of dog ownership had better scores for anxiety, depression, emotional support and companionship. Other pets such as small furries may have different perceived costs/burden but still reap benefits. Longitudinal studies of changes pre-post animal acquisition are sparse, but we have demonstrated positive impacts of service dogs on veterans with PTSD. We are also conducting a USA-based longitudinal cohort of shelter dog and cat adoption by non-pet owners. Impacts of adoption of other species, and comparing those already with pets or not, require specific attention.

This new project will use longitudinal surveys with owners of small furry animals adopted from shelters to examine changes to the owner’s mental and physical wellbeing after adoption. It will also gain insights from in depth interviews with owners of small furry animals.

You will join the Westgarth Anthrozoology Group (WAG-LAB) in the Department of Livestock and One Health, School of Veterinary Science. You will be under expert the supervision of leading scientists Prof Carri Westgarth and Dr Helen Clough, as well as Prof Liz Perkins in the Institute of Population Health. The project will also be co-supervised by collaborators at Woodgreen animal charity (Dr Fiona Cooke), University of Arizona (Prof Maggie O’Haire) and University of Maryland (Prof Erika Friedmann).

Your research will not only contribute to the growing evidence base on pet ownership but also inform how shelters can enhance the adoption experience for future pet owners.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

·      Dedicated and enthusiastic individual

·      Relevant background such as psychology, public health, social sciences, veterinary/animal sciences.

·      An undergraduate degree at least 2:1

·      Experience in undertaking research using relevant research methods, such as interviews or surveys

·      Understanding of statistical analysis methods and experience in analysis package R.

·      Effective project management skills for example to apply to complex data collection, and communication with collaborators.

Desirable:

·      Relevant Masters degree

·      Whilst experience in both qualitative and quantitative research is desirable, we appreciate this may not be possible at this stage in your career and can provide training to help you thrive in this exciting role.

Project expectations

The project is anticipated to begin by 1^st July 2025 at the latest. Our PhD studentships are associated with ‘on-campus’ degree programmes. We do not accept applications from students that are unable to relocate to meet the attendance and participation requirements of our degree programmes. This PhD will be based full-time (expectation of 40 hours per week) in-person at the Leahurst Campus, Wirral, with some travel to main Liverpool Campus. Visits will also need to be made to our collaborator Woodgreen in Cambridgeshire.

Applications should be made to project supervisors in the first instance via CV and cover letter. This is for all applications. Only when a candidate has been selected following interview will a formal online application be required.

To apply please send a full CV and personal statement covering letter to carri.westgarth@liverpool.ac.uk 

In your cover letter please include answers to the following five questions:

1.      What inspires you about the project you have applied for?

2.      Describe how your skill set matches the Essential and Desirable skills for the project, and the more general skills required for a PhD. If you don’t currently have specific skills, please describe, with examples, your aptitude to learn new skills.

3.      Please describe up to 3 examples that show your commitment to a career in science.

4.      Describe a recent piece of science that excited you. This can be a project you led, were involved in or another person's science that excited you. How would you have done it differently?

5.      Is there anything else you would like to tell us that can help to frame your application? Life presents challenges and a student’s potential is not always accurately reflected in grades. We therefore invite you to frame your application in a context that best reflects you. Details given here provide context for each application which can be taken into account during review. Any information provided will be shared only with the supervisor and interview panel. The student will not be asked to expand on this information by the supervisor or panel, but is welcome to discuss it further themselves if they choose.

For any application queries please also contact Prof Carri Westgarth