Jess Ward

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience: Assessment, Prevention, and Treatment of Trauma Conditions in Animals; Canine Arousal Modulation; Canine Social Behavior & Cognition; Impact of Stress on Canine Behavioral Health; Human-Animal Relationships; Wildlife Conservation; Behavioral Observation; Humane Research Methodologies

Jess' research interests include urban life effects on canine behavior, how stressors impact neurological development in animals, and the impact of choice and autonomy on achieving desired behavior change. Jess visted Thailand in 2024 to research natural behavior presentation of captive-raised elephants in northern Thailand to aid in welfare, re-wilding, and reforestation initiatives, and to evaluate the effects of elephant tourism on behavior. Additional projects included documenting habitats, behavior, and song data of the white-handed lar gibbon, to examine how habitat loss and fragmentation has affected their behavior.

Jess is an Applied Canine Behavior Consultant with two decades of professional canine experience in animal husbandry, canine behavioral health, and behavior modification. Jess currently practices under the name Village Canine offering fear-free behavior consultation to aid in supporting animals safely adjust to their environment. Jess is working toward certifications with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and Pet Professional Accreditation Board (PPAB), the highest applied credentials in the field of animal behavior.

Current Research

The effect of natural behavior loss on reintegration success of Asian elephants in SE Asia

Socialization effects for canines living in urban and suburban environments.

Habitat triangulation, song and behavior data collection for the white handed lar gibbon.

Education

MA Ind/Org Psychology - The Chicago School - 2019
BA Psychology; BA Marketing - Franklin Pierce University - 2009