Appalachian’s Dr. Zach Farris interviewed by BBC

By Elisabeth Wall

Posted Jan. 11, 2018 at 5:05 p.m.

Appalachian State University’s Dr. Zach Farris performs research in Madagascar to gain a better understanding of how native carnivores interact with domestic and feral dogs and cats. The assistant professor in Appalachian’s Department of Health and Exercise Science and some of his colleagues founded the Mad Dog Initiative, a nonprofit that provides free veterinary services and facilitates veterinarian training.

Recently, Farris was part of an interview conducted by the BBC about dogs and their special relationship with human beings. You can catch Farris about 18 minutes in, but we suggest you listen to the whole piece — it’s pretty doggone interesting.

Why Does My Dog Love Me?

BBC World Service

Jan. 5, 2018

Dogs have been living and working with humans for thousands of years. But they’re much more than just pets. As any dog owner will tell you, the bond we have with our canine friends is often so strong that they feel more like family.

Listen to this episode

About Appalachian State University

As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

The Mad Dog Initiative

Helping dogs. Helping wildlife. Helping communities.

Some of the Earth's most endangered animals call Madagascar home. Our goal is to protect these animals, to promote animal welfare, and human health in Madagascar through the care and humane management of domestic and feral dogs.

Learn more

Drs. Zach and Alisha Farris address conservation and health crises in Madagascar

Sep. 18, 2017

Research by Drs. Zach and Alisha Farris is sustaining ecosytems, improving animal and human health and providing learning opportunities. They are ‘living like they mean it.’