Research Bites Podcast
Research Bites Podcast
Kristina Spaulding, PhD, CAAB
#42 - Dr. Katie Homan - What Makes a Good Life for Dogs? Play, Meaning, and Relationship
1 hour 4 minutes Posted May 27, 2026 at 4:00 pm.
00:38 Meet Dr Katie Homan
Why Study Play
What Philosophy Does
Questioning Assumptions
Eudaimonia vs Hedonia
Can Animals Flourish
Meaning for Dogs
Nose Work and Agency
Play as Relationship
Rethinking Fetch Expectations
Let Dogs Lead Play
Is Training Play
Ethics vs Morality
Wrap up
0:00
1:04:47
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Show notes
What does it mean for a dog to live a “good life”? Can animals experience something like meaning or purpose? And what role do play, relationship, agency, and training have in helping animals flourish? In this episode, Dr. Kristina Spaulding talks with philosopher, dog trainer, and behavior consultant Dr. Katie Homan about philosophy, play, ethics, flourishing, and the deeply relational nature of life with dogs. Katie shares how her background in philosophy shaped the way she thinks about play...