Katrina Merkies holds an honours BSc (Agr.) in Animal Science and a PhD in Reproductive Physiology, both from the University of Guelph. She was a faculty member at Lake Erie College in Ohio for four years, but returned to Canada in 2006 to develop and implement the first equine Bachelor's degree in Canada (BBRM Equine Management) at the University of Guelph. She maintains oversight of the programme and teaches a variety of courses including Equine Event Management, Equine Trends and Issues and Equine Reproduction. Her research programme spans a wide range of topics relating to horse behaviour, welfare and management, with a focus on horse–human interaction. Dr Merkies has trained and competed up to FEI levels in dressage, earning the title of Canadian Champion in 1999. She most enjoys providing young horses with foundation training, and has more recently turned her efforts bridleless riding. She also avidly applies learning theory principles in the training of her young Australian Shepherd, Kurt, who will hopefully promote LT through his career in Treibball, agility and Rally-O.
