The Impact of Human Bias on Animal Welfare

The Impact of Human Bias on Animal Welfare

Author: maryvy September 8, 2025 Duration: 53:57
Welcome to the next episode of The Animal Welfare Conversation.  This week we meet Dr Rowena Packer, of the RVC. Rowena is the Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the Royal Veterinary College, London, where she leads a research group exploring diverse topics in this area, including the impact of chronic and inherited disorders on dog behaviour and welfare, the impact of owner knowledge, attitudes and behaviour on canine welfare, and caregiver burden. In this episode we delve into the controversial world of dog breeding, where human preferences for "cute" features often override concerns about animal health – particularly in brachycephalic breeds like pugs and French Bulldogs. The podcast reveals how human biases in pet ownership directly impact animal welfare, challenging listeners to rethink their motivations behind breeding choices. The discussion on brachycephalic breeds uncovers the often-overlooked health implications of emotional attachment in pet ownership, urging a shift toward prioritizing animal well-being over aesthetic preferences. Dr Rowena Packer, BSc (Hons) PhD PGCert(VetEd) FHEA Rowena is the Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the Royal Veterinary College, London. Rowena leads a research group exploring diverse topics in this area, including the impact of chronic and inherited disorders on dog behaviour and welfare, the impact of owner knowledge, attitudes and behaviour on canine welfare, and caregiver burden. She has received >£2 million of research funding from diverse sources, with ~£1 million held as Principal Investigator.  Rowena is a frequent flyer on the conference circuit and has presented her research internationally, including in the USA, Australia, Canda, and across much of Europe.  Rowena has co-authored >100 peer reviewed papers and book chapters and co-edited the textbook ‘Health and Welfare of Brachycephalic (Flat-faced) Companion Animals’ (2021). Rowena holds a PhD from the Royal Veterinary College (2013) which explored the impact of extreme conformation on canine health, and has continued to research and drive initiatives on this topic for 16 years.  Rowena is a founding member of Brachycephalic Working Group and the Legal Advisory Group on Extreme Conformation in Dogs. Find out more about Rowena’s research at https://www.rvc.ac.uk/about/our-people/rowena-packer NOMINATE YOUR ANIMAL WELFARE HERE NOW: If you haven't already done so, please nominate your animal welfare hero for our new award HERE

What does it truly mean to care for an animal, whether it's a beloved pet at home or a species on the brink in the wild? Animal Welfare Conversations digs into that question through candid, often surprising discussions with the people on the front lines. Hosted by maryvy, each episode brings you directly into dialogue with veterinary surgeons and nurses making critical medical decisions, conservationists designing field interventions, and animal owners navigating daily ethical choices. The scope is deliberately broad, covering pets, domestic animals, farm residents, zoo inhabitants, and wildlife, because the principles of compassionate care connect them all. You'll hear concrete stories about decision-making and the realities of providing a good life, not just abstract theory. This is a podcast built on curiosity and a willingness to re-examine what we think we know, challenging assumptions about standard practices and long-held beliefs in the pursuit of tangible improvement. It’s for anyone-families, science enthusiasts, or nature lovers-who believes animal welfare is a complex, evolving conversation worth having. Tune in for perspectives that are both deeply personal and rigorously practical, reminding us of our shared responsibility toward the creatures in our care.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 41

Animal Welfare Conversations
Podcast Episodes
Sneak Preview - Vet Nursing Awareness Month [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:10
In this short intro episode, we highlight new episodes for May, otherwise known as Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month. So, we're focussing on the impact of veterinary nursing on animal welfare. In our first 3 episodes we…
Episode 8 - Animal welfare and the CMA report [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:26
In this episode we take a break from interviews, and Mary considers the impact of the CMA report on animal welfare. Recent years have seen many changes in veterinary practice, and in particular the corporatisation of the…
Episode 7 - Dr Tanya Stephens FRCVS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:57
This edition of Animal Welfare Conversations focusses on veterinary life in Australia. We’re joined by Dr Tanya Stephens BVSc, MSc, IAWEL, MANZCVS, FRCVS. Tanya is a veterinary practitioner in Australia, who has been abl…
Episode 6 - Joe Bailey -The Humanimal Trust [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:19
In this episode of The Animal Welfare Conversation we are joined by Joe Bailey, CEO of the Humanimal Trust, a charity set up in 2014 by Professor Noel Fitzpatrick to support collaboration between human health professiona…
Episode 5 - Dr Matt Morgan - One Medicine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:52
In this episode we catch up with Dr Matt Morgan, Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine, adjunct Professor, regular BMJ columnist and author of One Medicine - What animals can teach us and why it matters. We chat about th…
Episode 1 - Amy Lyons - Veterinary Nursing in Australia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:00
We were delighted to chat with Amy Lyons in our more recent edition of Animal Welfare Conversations. Working as a veterinary nurse in Australia Amy sees a variety of different animals – anything from wombats and kangaroo…
AWC_Introduction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:13
Welcome to Animal Welfare Conversations A podcast for veterinary nurses, vets, vet students, and anyone who just loves working with animals. This podcast is for you if you want to feel part of a larger conversation and c…