#203 - Dr. Anna Johnson: What's the relationship between animal welfare and caretakers?

Caretakers are the backbone of swine welfare. Because they interact with the animals throughout the whole day and make sure their needs are met, they are key to the well-being of the pigs. To emphasize and shed light on these matters, I talk to Dr. Anna Johnson, an esteemed expert in animal welfare. Dr. Johnson discusses the indispensable role of the caretaker in the swine industry, highlighting the significance of proper training and the value of technology, whose purpose is to assist rather than replace the caretaker in their daily tasks as well as promote welfare.

What you’ll learn:

1. The relationship between animal welfare and the caretaker 

2. The impact of caretakers on swine welfare

3. Swine industry auditing: strategies for effective results

4. The role of technology in animal welfare

5. The role of the caretaker in the swine industry6. The lethality of PoAstV4

6. The final takeaway for caretakers in swine industry

Meet the guest:

Dr. Anna Johnson

Experience

      ○ Current: Professor at Iowa State University - Environmental enrichment, DEI-B in UG Animal Science students, Caretaker retention

      ○ Past: ISU Professor of Animal Science; Director of Animal Welfare for the National Pork Board

Background

      ○ Ph.D., Animal Science (Texas Tech University)

      ○ M.Sc., Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare (University of Edinburgh) 

      ○ B.Sc., Animal Science (Honors) (University of Reading) 

  Hobbies: dog walking, reading, and yoga

Favorite book: Lessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus

Movie or TV Series or Documentary or Other Resource: Tulsa King, a 2022 series. 

Favorite quote: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”  ― Mahatma Gandhi

A tip for success: It's a marathon, NOT a race!

Connect with our guest on Social Media: Linkedin