Emma Kathryn Grigg
- Assistant Professor of Practice
- Animal and Comparative Bio Sci, Rm. 201
- Tucson, AZ 85721
- ekgrigg@arizona.edu
Biography
Emma K. Grigg, M.A., Ph.D., CAAB (she/hers) is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Department of Animal Comparative and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Arizona. Dr. Grigg has a strong commitment to using evidence-based approaches to effective, engaging science teaching (both in-person and online), and has taught courses in companion animal behavior and welfare, and human-animal interactions for over 14 years. She has authored over 20 scientific research articles and book chapters on canine, feline, and marine mammal behavior. Her primary area of interest is the influence of human attitudes and behavior on companion animal behavior and welfare. Her first book, The Science Behind a Happy Dog, was published in June 2017. She also serves on the board of the International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ), and as an editorial board member with the journals Human-Animal Interactions and Frontiers in Veterinary Science.Education:
- Ph.D. Integrative Ecology, University of California, Davis
- M.A. Animal Behavior and Physiology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
- B.A.(Hons) English Literature and Anthropology, McGill University, Montreal, PQ
Selected recent publications:
Clarkson, S.T., Kogan, L.R., Grigg, E.K. (2024) Exploring the impact of dogs on the human-cat relationship in private homes. Human-Animal Interactions 12(1). doi.org/10.1079/hai.2024.0007.
Grigg, E.K., Liu, S., Dempsey, D.G., Wong, K.B., Bain, M., Sollers, J.J., Haddock, R., Kogan, L.R., Barnhard, J.A., Tringali, A.A., Thigpen, A.P., Hart, L.A. (2022) Assessing the relationship between emotional states of dogs and their human handlers, using simultaneous behavioral and cardiac measures. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 9:897287. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.897287.
Grigg, E.K. and Kogan, L.R. (2022) Associations between laser light pointer play and repetitive behaviors in companion cats: does participant recruitment method matter? Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 18;1-16. doi: 10.1080/10888705.2022.2065880.
Grigg, E.K., Chou, J.1, Parker, E.1, Gatesy-Davis, A.1, Clarkson, S.T.1, Hart, L.A. (2021) Stress-related behaviors in companion dogs exposed to common household noises, and owners’ interpretations of their dogs’ behaviors. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 8, doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.760845
Kogan, L.R. and Grigg, E.K. (2021) Laser light pointers for use in companion cat play: Association with guardian-reported abnormal repetitive behaviors. Animals 11, 2178. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082178
Grigg, E.K., Hart, L.A., and Moffett, J. (2020) Comparison of the effects of clay modeling & cat cadaver dissection on high school students’ outcomes and attitudes in a human anatomy course. American Biology Teacher 82(9): 596-605.
van Haaften, K., Grigg, E.K., Kolus, C., Hart, L.A., Kogan, L. (2020) A survey of dog owners’ perceptions on the use of psychoactive medications and alternatives for the treatment of canine behavior problems. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 35: 27-33
Kogan, L.R., Schoenfeld-Tacher, R., Hellyer, P., Grigg, E.K., Kramer, E. (2020) Veterinarians and impostor syndrome: an exploratory study. Veterinary Record Online First: 22 June 2020. doi: 10.1136/vr.105914
Degrees
- Ph.D. Ecology
- University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States
- "Environmental predictors of habitat use patterns of Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii) in an urbanized estuary"
- M.A. Animal Behavior and Physiology
- San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, United States
- "Behavior and habitat use patterns of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) at Turneffe Atoll, Belize."
- B.A. English Literature (minor in Anthropology)
- McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Licensure & Certification
- Fear Free Certified Professional (Veterinary), Fear Free, LLC (2023)
- Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB), Animal Behavior Society (2013)
Interests
No activities entered.
Courses
2024-25 Courses
-
Animal Behavior Workshop
ACBS 497B (Spring 2025) -
App Comp Anim Behavior in Prac
ACBS 482 (Spring 2025) -
App Companion Ani Behavior
ACBS 481 (Spring 2025) -
Dog and Cat Behavior
ACBS 311 (Spring 2025) -
Honors Thesis
ACBS 498H (Spring 2025) -
ACBS Preceptorship
ACBS 491 (Fall 2024) -
Dog and Cat Behavior
ACBS 311 (Fall 2024) -
Ethology & Evolution
ACBS 469A (Fall 2024) -
Honors Thesis
ACBS 498H (Fall 2024) -
Intro to Animal Sci Lab
ACBS 102L (Fall 2024)
2023-24 Courses
-
ACBS Preceptorship
ACBS 491 (Spring 2024) -
Animal Behavior Workshop
ACBS 497B (Spring 2024) -
App Comp Anim Behavior in Prac
ACBS 482 (Spring 2024) -
App Companion Ani Behavior
ACBS 481 (Spring 2024) -
Dog and Cat Behavior
ACBS 311 (Spring 2024) -
Honors Thesis
ACBS 498H (Spring 2024) -
Dog and Cat Behavior
ACBS 311 (Fall 2023) -
Honors Thesis
ACBS 498H (Fall 2023)
2022-23 Courses
-
ACBS Preceptorship
ACBS 491 (Spring 2023) -
Animal Behavior Workshop
ACBS 497B (Spring 2023) -
App Comp Anim Behavior in Prac
ACBS 482 (Spring 2023) -
App Comp Anim Behavior in Prac
ACBS 582 (Spring 2023) -
App Companion Ani Behavior
ACBS 481 (Spring 2023) -
App Companion Ani Behavior
ACBS 581 (Spring 2023)
Scholarly Contributions
Books
- Hart, L. A., Hart, B., Grigg, E. K., Lyons, L. A., & Turner, D. C. (2023). Exploring cats: Their behaviors and human-cat interactions.. Lausanne, Switzerland: Frontiers Media SA. doi:10.3389/978-2-8325-4173-9
Chapters
- Grigg, E. K. (2023). Preventing behavior problems in domestic cats. . In Clinical Manual of Feline Behavioral Medicine(pp 22-45). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Publishing, Inc.
- Grigg, E. K., Hetts, S., & Shanan, A. (2023). Recognizing distress. . In Hospice and Palliative Care for Companion Animals: Principles and Practice (2nd ed.)(pp 44-61). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Publishing Inc.
Journals/Publications
- Grigg, E. K., Turner, D. C., Lyons, L. A., Hart, B. L., & Hart, L. A. (2023). Editorial: Exploring cats: their behaviors and human-cat interactions. Frontiers in veterinary science, 10, 1329398.
- Kogan, L. R., & Grigg, E. K. (2021). Laser Light Pointers for Use in Companion Cat Play: Association with Guardian-Reported Abnormal Repetitive Behaviors. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 11(8).More infoUse of laser light pointers for feline play is popular with many companion cat guardians. It can be an enjoyable shared interaction and provide an opportunity for feline exercise. Laser light play alone, however, does not allow cats to complete the hunting sequence and it has been suggested that this may trigger frustration and stress, common contributors to compulsive behaviors. This study examined the potential relationship between the use of laser light pointers for play and excessive or abnormal repetitive behaviors (ARBs) often linked to diagnosis of feline compulsive disorders. Using an online, anonymous, cross-sectional survey, we explored cat guardians' use of laser toys and reported ARBs in their cats. A total of 618 responses were analyzed, primarily female participants from the United States. We found significant associations between the frequency of laser light play and the occurrence of all surveyed ARBs, apart from overgrooming. Provision of outdoor access and cat age were also significant predictors of reported ARBs: indoor-only cats, and young (1-2 years) cats were more likely to display ARBs. The strongest patterns were seen for behaviors which may be connected to laser light play: chasing lights or shadows, staring "obsessively" at lights or reflections, and fixating on a specific toy. Although correlational, these results suggest that laser light toys may be associated with the development of compulsive behaviors in cats, warranting further research into their use and potential risks.
Presentations
- da Vinci, G. J., Fausak, E. D., & Grigg, E. K. (2023, June 15-18). Defining dominance in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris): A scoping review with recommendations for human-canine interactions. . International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ) Conference. Edinburgh, Scotland: International Society for Anthrozoology.
