UNL researcher studies future police dogs in training

A University of Nebraska researcher spent the day in Grand Island Thursday studying dog training with the Nebraska State Patrol.

Dr. Jeffrey Stevens has been studying human and canine cognition and interactions for the last year. He wants to learn the difference between working dogs and family dogs as K9 units and service dogs are becoming more popular across the US.

"This kind of work with the working dogs here is kind of a new and exciting area that I would like to explore and see what're questions that people who work with working dogs want to know?," Dr. Stevens said. "Is there a way we can kind of take our scientific approach and get answers to help them improve how the dog handler relationship works"

Dr. Stevens will be presenting some of his research during his Dogfest event at UNL later this month.