Cornell University Launches Duffield Institute for Animal Behavior with $12.1 Million Grant

The Duffield Institute will enhance the college’s existing programs in academic, research, clinical, and outreach areas to further the understanding of animal behavior and well-being, ultimately improving the lives of both companion animals and their caretakers.

In addition to funding the institute, the Duffield Foundation will also create the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Professorship to provide key leadership at the institute. Furthermore, the foundation plans to support the development of a summer program for service-dog trainers to establish and disseminate best practices, addressing the nationwide shortage of trainers and service dogs for veterans and other individuals in need. The endowment will facilitate faculty leadership, clinical residencies, and research grants targeting discoveries in animal behavior.

President Martha E. Pollack expressed her enthusiasm, stating that the establishment of the institute and the professorship will significantly enhance the health and welfare of companion animals and their human companions. Lorin D. Warnick, D.V.M., Ph.D., Dean of Veterinary Medicine, highlighted the potential positive impacts of this gift on animal health and the deepening of research into animal behavior and the human-animal bond.

Dave Duffield, founder of the foundation and a Cornell alumnus, emphasized the partnership's dual focus on supporting veterans and animal welfare. He stated that the initiative will provide crucial service-dog training programs to help veterans, while also improving the relationships between service dogs and their handlers, as well as companion animals and their families.

The Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation is a philanthropic organization founded by the Duffields, who are also known for establishing Maddie’s Fund. Their contributions to Cornell extend beyond this grant, having supported Duffield Hall, a prominent facility for nanoscale science and engineering research.

Dave Duffield has a notable history as an entrepreneur, founding several companies including PeopleSoft and Workday, and was named Cornell Entrepreneur of the Year in 1996. The new institute responds to a critical need, as behavioral issues are a leading reason pets are surrendered to shelters. It aims to serve as a trusted resource for veterinarians, service dog organizations, and pet owners by advancing the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of behavioral disorders in companion and service animals.