From Rats to Hippos with Dr. Lynette Hart
UC Davis Celebrates Trailblazer in Human-Animal Bond Research
Dr. Lynette Hart has studied everything from rodent songs to elephant tool use to giraffe courtship. Now, after more than four decades at UC Davis, the pioneering professor has officially retired—though it’s clear her influence will continue to ripple through the field of human-animal interactions.
In a lecture marking her transition to emerita status at UC Davis, Hart shared stories from a career that defied convention and helped shape the now-established field of anthrozoology. Introduced by her husband and fellow professor Dr. Benjamin Hart, she was celebrated for her global leadership, interdisciplinary impact, and tireless mentoring.
Hart shared stories from a career that defied convention and helped shape the now-established field of anthrozoology.
Hart arrived at UC Davis in 1982, just as interest in the human-animal bond was emerging. Thanks to a serendipitous donor connection, she helped launch one of the nation’s earliest academic programs dedicated to this area—often funded by sheer creativity, persistence, and personal resolve.
Her research ranged widely: service dogs and social behavior in children, animal-assisted housing policy, alternatives for dissection in education, and the timing of dog neutering. She co-authored the popular book Perfect Puppy and her work has influenced both public perception and veterinary practices worldwide.
A hallmark of her career was hands-on fieldwork, especially in Africa and Asia, where she and collaborators studied antelope grooming, elephant communication, and even hippo yawning. She continued teaching “Pets in Society” until 2013, mentoring hundreds of students, many of whom went on to become leaders in animal behavior and welfare.
Hart closed her lecture by highlighting the role of chance, persistence, and adaptability in academic careers. “Lady luck can play a role,” she said, paraphrasing Steve Forbes, “but you don’t stumble on something if you’re not walking around.”
Hart gave the 2025 New Emeriti Distinguished Lecture for the UC Davis Emeriti Association, which has posted the full recording. The lectures are coordinated by Distinguished Professor Walter Leal.