Lindsay Nakonechny, Ph.D.

Research Interests

Nakonochny's work examines how handling, care, management practices and human decision-making can influence animal health and welfare outcomes, as well as human and animal safety. Her research draws on applied animal behavior, stress physiology, and human factors to better understand the two-way effects of animal and human interactions. Her research program centers on horses, using them as a primary model species for studying evidence-based approaches to handling during health and care procedures, including veterinary examinations and farrier services, as well as training practices.

Her research uses mixed-methods and epidemiological approaches, including surveys, qualitative interviews and observational and experimental designs. The goal is to produce applied, industry-relevant evidence that can help inform best practices involving companion animals and livestock.

A central focus of her work is identifying the pathways through which handling and stress influence animal behavior, pain and health. She also seeks to develop and evaluate welfare interventions using measurable outcomes that are meaningful to both animals and the people responsible for their care.

Background

Nakonechny earned a bachelor’s degree in animal health from the University of Alberta and a master’s degree in animal welfare and behavior from the University of Guelph, both in Canada. She earned her doctorate in animal sciences from Texas Tech.

Before joining the Texas Tech faculty, she served as a graduate research and teaching assistant at Texas Tech, an active equine development specialist with Equestrian Canada, an instructor and course developer at the University of Guelph, and an animal welfare adviser with the Edmonton Humane Society.

In 2025, she received Texas Tech’s Outstanding Graduate Researcher Award in the Social Science category. Nakonechny is a member of the International Society for Equitation Science, the Animal Behavior Society, and the International Society for Applied Ethology.