Melanie Stephanides

Melanie Stephanides grew up in the scenic town of Asheville, North Carolina, where her family’s love for dogs shaped her early years. She went on to earn a degree in Journalism from Northwestern University, specializing in digital media and storytelling. After college, Melanie built a career as a content strategist for animal welfare organizations, creating impactful campaigns that supported pet care and adoption. As the editor of SuchDogs.org, Melanie brings her passion and expertise to help dog owners navigate all aspects of pet care, fostering a community dedicated to giving dogs the love and attention they deserve.

New Truffle Species Discovered Through Collaboration of Researchers and Truffle Dogs

Researchers from MSU and UF, with help from citizen scientists and truffle dogs, identified two new truffle species, sparking interest in North American truffle cultivation.

Melanie Stephanides
January 19, 2025

Urban Environments Drive Rapid Evolutionary Changes in Coyotes Across America

A recent study reveals how urban coyotes are rapidly evolving in response to city life, highlighting genetic adaptations linked to diet and behavior.

Melanie Stephanides
January 16, 2025

Enhancing Hygiene Can Mitigate Household Risks of Antimicrobial-Resistant Salmonella

Domestic dogs may be a hidden source of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella, prompting experts to urge better hygiene practices to protect public health.

Melanie Stephanides
January 10, 2025

Oldest Saber-Toothed Predator Fossil Discovered, Redefining Mammalian Ancestry Timeline

Researchers have discovered a 270-million-year-old saber-toothed gorgonopsian fossil in Mallorca, shedding light on early mammalian ancestry and evolution.

Melanie Stephanides
January 3, 2025

Trained Dogs Revolutionize Early Detection of Spotted Lanternfly Egg Masses

Trained dogs have proven more effective than humans in detecting spotted lanternfly egg masses in forests, aiding efforts to combat this crop-destroying pest.

Melanie Stephanides
January 3, 2025

Cats Can Fetch Too: New Study Reveals Surprising Playful Behavior in Pets

A study reveals 41% of cats retrieve toys like dogs, highlighting fetching as a playful behavior linked to specific breeds and challenging past perceptions.

Melanie Stephanides
December 10, 2024

New Tool Helps Assess Frailty and Mortality Risk in Aging Dogs

Researchers at NC State have developed a frailty assessment tool for older dogs, helping owners predict short-term mortality and make informed care decisions.

Melanie Stephanides
December 10, 2024

Ethiopian Wolves Pioneering Nectar Feeding Behavior as Unexpected Pollinators

Ethiopian wolves have been observed feeding on nectar from Ethiopian red hot poker flowers, marking them as the first large carnivores to potentially act as pollinators.

Melanie Stephanides
December 9, 2024

Dogs Understand Words Through Soundboard Buttons, Revealing Canine Comprehension in Research

A groundbreaking study shows that dogs trained with soundboard buttons can truly understand specific words and respond accurately, highlighting their comprehension skills.

Melanie Stephanides
December 9, 2024

New Canine Gene Atlas Unlocks Insights for Health Research in Dogs and Humans

A groundbreaking canine gene atlas unveils insights into hereditary diseases, enhancing research for both dogs and humans through advanced gene expression mapping.

Melanie Stephanides
December 8, 2024