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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?
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 a premier public institution, 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, cost-effective education. 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
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
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.’

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Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

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Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
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