Working dogs research
Andrew Worth is a Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Surgery and he is investigating the causes of loss from service of NZ Police Dogs. Andrew's PhD is focussed on gaining a greater understanding of the diseases which cause loss, and potential strategies for mitigation of loss by modification of selection criteria for breeding. Degenerative diseases of the hip and lower back are key causes of loss.
Andrew is also studying the outcome of surgical intervention and the investigation of novel surgical techniques that he is performing at the Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. This work is part of the wider research interests of the Centre for Service and Working Dogs at Massey University.
The Centre is supported by three major sponsors (Hills Pet Nutrition NZ, Landcorp NZ and Merial Ancare) and supports the New Zealand Police Dog Section and the Royal Foundation for the Blind's Guide Dog program. In addition the Centre has links with USAR, DOC and other working dog groups and supplies advice and assistance. Each year the Centre provides research grants for projects that can improve the health and well-being of service and working dogs in NZ and worldwide.