Texas Tech University

Kimberly A. Guay, Ph.D.

Research Associate/Instructor
Department of Animal and Food Science

Email: kimberly.a.guay@ttu.edu

Phone: (806) 742-2805, ext 259 | Fax: (806) 742-0898

Research Associate/Instructor
Visiting Assistant Professor 
Department of Animal and Food Sciences
Texas Tech University

Office: AFS 211

Kimberly A. Guay, Ph.D.

Personal Information

Kimberly Guay was born in Nagasaki, Japan while her father was stationed there serving in the Air Force. She lived with her parents, David and Sue in Iowa and Arizona before settling in Water Valley, Texas (with her grandparents) at the age of 12. She was active in sports and UIL activities in Jr. High and High School; and holds her H.S. Alma mater close to her heart. After graduation, she attended Angelo State University earning a B.S. in Animal Science with a minor in Biology; and M.S. in Animal Science (Ruminant Behavior and Production). She then moved to Lubbock, TX to attend Texas Tech University, where she not only graduated with a Ph.D. in Equine Sciences, but also met her husband, Chris Guay (TTU Rodeo Coach/ Instructor). During her Ph.D. work, Kimberly's research interests were in the nutritional effects on efficiency of gestating and lactating mares, growth and development of yearlings and effects of Regu-Mate on Stallions. After graduation, she stayed at TTU to manage the university breeding program as well as help develop the Therapeutic Riding Program. Dr. Guay, along with Chris Guay, was instrumental in the donation of the Texas Tech Equestrian Center in 2004. Dr. Guay worked closely with donors and took over management of the barn continuing to produce competitive equine events as well as lease the facility to outside productions. Dr. Guay worked for seven years evolving the Texas Tech Equestrian Center into a user-friendly academic learning facility that housed student programs associated with the Ranch Horse Program at Texas Tech. During this time, she assisted with the development of a Ranch Horse Team, the curriculum for an Equine Certificate at TTU and Youth Program. She continued to help develop the TTU Rodeo Team and the Therapeutic Riding Center for Teaching and Research which gained PATH (formally known as NARAH) accreditation as a Premier Facility and Institution of Higher Education with (PATH). She also served as an Instructor in the Ranch Horse Program teaching classes such as Horsemanship, Breeding Barn Management and Equine Nutrition. Her mission was to strengthen the equine industry one student at a time by helping novice horse enthusiasts become more confident and knowledgeable about horses- thus making them better more productive horse owners. Many of her former students are active in the world of horses. Many enjoy showing horses; others are veterinarians, working in major breeding facilities, and event or sale productions.

In 2011 Dr. Guay made a change in direction, she joined Dr. John McGlone with researching topics in animal behavior and welfare. Her current projects involve the effects of cross-species pheromones on animal behavior and stress related to housing and shipping. She can still be found at the barn, almost every evening with her two children, Maci and Mya.

Research Interests

Behavior, welfare, stress effects on physiology, and pheromones in horses and other animals.

Laboratory of Animal Behavior, Physiology and Welfare