Profile

I have a had a longstanding interest in animal behaviour and welfare, and initially worked as a vet for an animal charity before moving into private practice. I then had the opportunity to Move to Lincolnshire where I started my research career. My PhD was in horse behaviour and welfare, with a focus on developing humane methods to improve management. My work at the University consists for teaching, research and clinical work, helping people with their problem pets.  I became Europe’s first professor on veterinary behavioural medicine and recently was honoured to received the highest recognition from the veterinary profession  (Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons).  You can find out more about me from my Wikipedia entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Mills_(biologist)

My work is split across three areas:

1. Research- my research focuses largely on studying what makes us all unique individuals when it comes to our behaviour. This means I do a lot of work on studying our emotional interpretation of the world, but my focus is on non-human animals rather than humans. I am particularly interested in how animals communicate their emotions and this includes both the visual and auditory signals  as well as chemical signals that they use. It is well known there is a smell of fear, but did you know there is also a unique “smell” of comfort for many animals? My other main area of research interest is the value that companion animals bring to society and to human well-being, I am particularly interested in how dogs can help families with an autistic child.
2. Teaching – I enjoy teaching students at all levels and here at Lincoln we not only have degrees in animal behaviour and welfare, but also a specialist Masters level programme to develop professionals who want to work as an animal behaviourist helping owners with their pets. I also lecture extensively to both professional groups like vets and also owners and dog trainers.
3. Consultancy. I also work with a range of companies to help them develop products that improve animal welfare and the human animal bond. For example I developed the idea of a mirror in the stable of horses to help prevent certain forms of stress as well as new ways to reassure animals with certain chemicals in the environment

One of the few constants to a typical day, is that I get up early and make my wife a coffee and myself a cup of tea. After I get into work any might be happening- tutorials with research students, clients in the clinic, teaching students or going to meetings.