Editor’s Note: Campus Findings is a weekly column about things on campus that trigger the curiosity of the Iowa State community. Carrie Sutton, junior in journalism and mass communication, will investigate the inquires each week and post her findings. Submit inquires to [email protected].

Anyone who has ever lain awake nights listening to a barking dog would probably appreciate the goals of the ISU Behavior Club.

The student organization meets every month to discuss why domesticated animals behave the way they do and how to fix behavioral problems such as aggression, barking, separation anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder.

The Behavior Club is an ISU student chapter of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior — a branch of the national organization for veterinarians, said Mary Knott, junior in veterinary medicine and president of the club.

“The purpose of the club is to educate veterinary students about animal behavior before we encounter cases in practice,” Knott said.

Don Draper, professor of biomedical sciences and the adviser for the Behavior Club, said the club discusses the behavior of birds and exotic animals, but its major emphasis is on companion animals, such as cats and dogs.

Draper said animals may act differently outside of their home environments and display such behavior as growling because they are trying to protect their owners.

He said the club discusses correct ways pet owners should handle their animals so they don’t get hurt.

Knott said the students may be able to pass on such tips to their staffs when they become veterinarians.

“As veterinarians, we need to be able to help clients pick out a pet that suits their lifestyle, train their animal and prevent and treat behavior problems that arise,” Knott said.

Draper said the Behavior Club thinks of ways to solve behavior disorders so owning pets is more enjoyable for the owners.

“Behavior problems are the primary reason animals are taken to shelters by their owners,” Knott said.

Draper said the Behavior Club helps sponsor good citizenship programs that teach members of the public how to train their animals.

Knott said the club invites speakers to talk about animal behavior — primarily canine and feline — at its monthly meetings and, during the past two years, the club has hosted conferences in the spring that feature nationally-known behavioral speakers, such as Dr. Wayne Hunthausen.

She said the club also took a field trip to the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines to learn about the effect of wildlife behavior on zoo husbandry practices.

Draper said the club hosts activities to educate the public four to six times per year. He said the activities are designed to teach the owners to protect themselves and their pets.

“It’s a very active club,” he said. “They’ve been putting on good programs.”

Draper said the Behavior Club is relatively new to ISU, having been started only three years ago.

“It has enhanced awareness of animal behavior,” Draper said.

Knott said the Behavior Club has about 50 members, which is about one-eighth of the ISU veterinary school population.

Draper said the club focuses on major areas every veterinarian deals with.

He said the club is designed for veterinary students, and if people would like to learn more about animal behavior and become members, all they have to do is indicate their interest and pay the club dues.

“There are no tests,” he said.