The University of Tennessee Center for Pet Family Well-Being (CPFW) is leading the first national research initiative focused on access to dog behavior and training support. Conducted in partnership with Every Dog Behavior and Training and supported by a $170,000 grant from Maddie’s Fund®, a national family foundation established by Dave and Cheryl Duffield to revolutionize the status and well-being of companion animals, the Access to Behavior Care Research Project will establish a critical new area of study: understanding who has access to behavior care for their dogs.
Nearly half of U.S. households share their lives with a dog, yet many families face significant challenges when seeking behavior and training support. Behavioral concerns such as fear, anxiety, and aggression remain among the leading reasons pets are relinquished to shelters. Despite the scale and impact of these issues, there has never been a comprehensive national effort to examine how behavior services are delivered, who provides them, or what barriers families encounter when seeking care.
While access-to-care research has expanded in veterinary medicine, no comparable framework currently exists for behavior care. This absence of data has created critical gaps that disproportionately impact underserved communities.
Building the First National Dataset on Behavior Access Care
Led by CPFW, the study will address these gaps through two national surveys: one of families with dogs and one of dog trainers and behavior professionals. This dual approach will generate the first comprehensive dataset capturing both the demand and supply of behavior care services across the United States.
The research will examine:
- Workforce demographics and professional pathways
- Training approaches and service models
- Employment conditions and geographic distribution
- Family decision-making and help-seeking behavior
- Financial, cultural, and structural barriers to care
- Lived experiences navigating behavior challenges
This work positions behavior care as a critical component of broader health and well-being systems.
Advancing a One Health Approach
“This research expands how we define access to care,” said Dr. Michael Blackwell, Director of the Center for Pet Family Well-Being at the University of Tennessee. “Behavior care is not separate from health. It is central to the well-being of both people and their dogs. By applying a One Health framework, we are building the knowledge base needed to ensure that all families, regardless of income, geography, or background, can thrive alongside their pets. I am genuinely energized by the partnerships that make this work possible. Every Dog Behavior and Training brings deep field expertise and a shared commitment to equitable, ethical care. And Maddie’s Fund has long modeled what it looks like to invest boldly in the human-animal bond. Together, we are doing something that has never been done before, and we are approaching it with the rigor and care this work deserves.”
Driving Impact Across Systems and Communities
Findings from the Access to Behavior Care Research Project will inform strategies to:
- Reduce pet relinquishment
- Strengthen the human-animal bond
- Expand equitable access to behavior services
- Support workforce development
Results will be shared publicly through open-access reports and data summaries, equipping stakeholders across animal welfare, public health, education, and community systems with actionable insights.
About the University of Tennessee Center for Pet Well-being (CPFW)
The Center for Pet Family Well-Being (CPFW), housed within the College of Social Work at the University of Tennessee, is an interdisciplinary leader advancing the health and well-being of people and their pets through research, education, communication, and collaboration. Through innovative scholarship, workforce development, and strategic partnerships, CPFW engages students, professionals, and communities in building sustainable, cross-sector solutions. Its initiatives, including the One Health Community & Forum, the Journal of One Health Systems, and the One Health Systems Summit, foster collaboration and knowledge exchange to expand access to care and strengthen communities.
About Every Dog Behavior and Training
Every Dog Behavior and Training is a nonprofit organization based in Austin, Texas, dedicated to advancing equitable, ethical approaches to dog training and behavior support. The organization provides accessible services—including group classes, private training, and behavior consultations—alongside financial assistance to ensure affordability.
About Maddie’s Fund
Established in 1994 by Dave and Cheryl Duffield, Maddie’s Fund® is a family foundation and fulfillment of a promise to their dog, Maddie. She provided them joy for over ten years and continues to inspire us today. Due to their generosity and vision, the Foundation has awarded over $301.3 million in grants toward increased community collaborations and live outcomes, pioneering shelter medicine education, establishing foster care as a standard across the U.S. and driving innovation in access to care. Maddie’s Fund proudly offers the industry a national voice, important funding opportunities for bold ideas, learning resources and access to collaborate and share innovative solutions.
The Foundation invests its resources in keeping with Dave & Cheryl’s promise, that pets and their people would enjoy the same experience they had with Maddie. We are committed to keeping pets and people together, creating a safety net of care for animals in need and operating within a culture of inclusiveness and humility. #ThanksToMaddie. Maddie’s Fund is part of The Duffield Foundation Family which also includes Liberty Dogs and Dave and Cheryl Duffield Foundation.