Welcome to the Pets Assisting With Science (PAWS) Lab! 

We are a comparative cognition lab in the School of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of St Andrews. Our research team is interested in understanding the social cognition and communicative capabilities of our furry friends. We are investigating how our pets (1) perceive and understand their social environment and (2) cooperate and communicate with other pets and humans. Our studies are always non-invasive and voluntary, and scheduled at the owners’ convenience. At the end of every testing session, we provide each animal with a gift (toy/treats).

It is important to better understand the psychological motivations and capabilities of other species, particularly those who live in close contact with and largely depend on humans for their survival and wellbeing. By investigating the socio-cognitive abilities of our pets, we can contribute to the scientific understanding and welfare of our animal companions.