Research Bites Podcast

#33: Building Resilience: Dr. Mike Mendl on Positive Welfare, Emotion, and Decision-Making in Animals

• Kristina Spaulding, PhD, CAAB • Episode 33

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In this thought-provoking episode of the Research Bites Podcast, Dr. Kristina Spaulding is joined by Dr. Mike Mendl, professor of Animal Behavior and Welfare at the University of Bristol’s Veterinary School, for a deep dive into what it truly means to support positive animal welfare.

From competence and resilience to cognitive bias and decision-making, Dr. Mendl explores how animals perceive and interact with the world—and why individual differences matter so much. You’ll hear how animal-based indicators can reveal nuanced welfare states, why emotions play a pivotal role in behavior, and how the dimensional model of emotion can help us better understand and assess an animal’s experience.

Along the way, we discuss:

  • How competence and resilience shape behavior and well-being
  • How animals set and pursue their own goals
  • Cognitive bias testing as a window into welfare states
  • Recognizing when hidden medical issues influence behavior
  • Using positive states—not just the absence of negatives—to improve lives
  • Future directions for research in welfare and emotion

Whether you’re a trainer, behavior consultant, veterinarian, or simply a science-curious animal lover, this conversation offers both practical insights and a deeper appreciation for the complexity of animal minds. By connecting the latest welfare science with real-world applications, Dr. Mendl’s work challenges us to move beyond preventing suffering and toward actively fostering lives worth living.

For more information, please check out my website and social media links below!