Description: The study is led by PhD candidate Sophie Barton, who is also the secretary of the New Guinea Singing Dog Conservation Society. The study takes place in the Canine Brains Project’s laboratory suite at Harvard University’s Center for Brain Science in Cambridge, Massachusetts. We may be able to provide limited funding for participants who travel to us from out-of-state. Dog brain scans are supervised by experienced veterinarians on the Canine Brains Project team. A member of our veterinary team will health screen all candidate dogs. Genetic data will be collected using a cheek swab and behavioral data will be drawn from questionnaires.
Study Details: The study takes place in the Canine Brains Project’s laboratory suite at Harvard University’s Center for Brain Science in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Funding for travel and lodging is available for participants who travel from out-of-state. Free parking is available. Dog brain scans are supervised by experienced veterinarians on the Canine Brains Project team. A member of our veterinary team will confer with the dog’s attending vet prior to participation and will perform an additional physical exam on the day of the brain scan. Genetic data will be collected using a cheek swab and behavioral data will be drawn from questionnaires.
Eligibility: The study is open to purebred New Guinea Singing Dogs who are at least one year of age and in good health. They should have no metal anywhere in or on their body (microchips are fine).
Scheduling: We are currently enrolling purebred New Guinea Singing Dogs. Enrollment will end December 31st, 2025.
Enrollment: To enroll your Singing Dog in this study, please contact Sophie Barton at sbarton@g.harvard.edu. If you’re interested in the study but not sure yet if you’d like to participate with your NGSD, please reach out to Sophie for more information.