Dr Himara Van Haevermaet
Although Daniel had been my residency supervisor for some time, I needed more focused support to overcome the barriers preventing me from progressing with research. I have previously struggled with understanding statistical analyses, seeing the bigger picture, and organising my work. This resulted in a very messy workflow which then made it difficult to translate my ideas into writing. I would often become so worried about getting things wrong that I struggled to write anything at all!
One aspect of our meetings that I hadn't expected to be so valuable was watching Daniel edit my work while explaining his thought process. Rather than simply receiving comments on a manuscript, I learnt how to approach a problem, structure an argument, and in doing so understand why particular changes improved the work.br>
As a result, I have started to enjoy research and have greater confidence in my abilities. I now find myself thinking like a researcher more often rather than simply trying to complete a project which is a big shift in my mindset.
Thank you!
Dr Prarom Sriphavatsarakom
Faculty of Veterinary Science University of Mahidol, Thailand
Professor Daniel Mills has had a great influence on both the field of veterinary behavioural science and my own professional development. His dedication to science and education has inspired many people around the world, including me. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from him. As a mentor, he always encouraged me to think critically, ask questions, and continue improving. His guidance, patience, and support have given me confidence and helped shape the way I work as a clinician and academic. I am truly grateful for everything I have learned from him, and I believe his impact will continue through everyone he has inspired.
Prof. Patrick PAGEAT
Professor Daniel MILLS is one of the few people who have played a crucial role in the development of veterinary applied ethology and behavioural medicine. His prominent contribution lays in the development of highly useful scales to evaluate the impulsivity and emotional disorders in dogs but includes too the introduction of the most recent knowledge in cognitive processes. This last contribution is crucial in modifying the veterinary approach to behaviour disorders, making that the problematic (to humans) behaviours may be related to cognitive bias and not just Skinnerian processes. In addition, a highly skilled teacher and fascinating speaker, who has recruited and tutored numerous talented vets and non-vets students.
I feel honoured and pleased to recommend my Colleague and Friend, Daniel Millsto all those who need his scientific collaboration or clinical experience.
Prof Katherine Houpt
Professor Emerita Cornell University, Charter Diplomat American College of Veterinary Behavior
Dr Mills is a prolific and well-respected scientist who, in collaboration with his many students from around the world, has contributed greatly to our understanding of the animal mind.
Dr Silvia de la Vega
President of GEMCA (AVEPA) Spain
Organising conferences gives me the opportunity to invite speakers I have always wanted to listen to as an attendee myself. Daniel is one of the leading voices in our field, and since this year's theme was ‘Diagnosis in Behavioural Medicine’ he was the perfect person to invite.
As specialists, we've had frustrating experiences in the past with world-class speakers. Sometimes the content felt rather superficial, perhaps appropriate for general practitioners, but it left us thinking, ‘Really? Is that all you have to say?’ That was absolutely not the case with Daniel. His lectures were fascinating, thought-provoking, and intellectually challenging, giving us a genuine opportunity to grow as professionals.
The conference was a great success, and I received wonderful feedback from both the attendees and the organising committee. Daniel is an engaging, articulate speaker, and the five hours flew by. As is often the case with conferences, though, there is ultimately so much information to absorb that, by the time the Q&A session comes around, you realise you're not asking the questions you would have asked if you'd had time to properly process everything.
That's why I particularly appreciated the opportunity to have a follow-up Q&A session several weeks later. It allowed me to revisit the material, reflect on it at my own pace, and ask the questions that really mattered to me.
On a personal level, the experience was also a wonderful surprise. I was a little nervous about hosting one of the leading figures in my specialty. However, the very first time we met, he greeted me with a big hug, and all my nerves immediately disappeared. What followed were hours and hours of conversations (and plenty of laughter), about behaviour, but also about our lives. His life story is fascinating, so if you ever have the chance to hear about it, don't miss the opportunity. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of those conversations.
Dr Silvia de la Vega
President of GEMCA (AVEPA) Spain
Organising conferences gives me the opportunity to invite speakers I have always wanted to listen to as an attendee myself. Daniel is one of the leading voices in our field, and since this year's theme was ‘Diagnosis in Behavioural Medicine’ he was the perfect person to invite.
As specialists, we've had frustrating experiences in the past with world-class speakers. Sometimes the content felt rather superficial, perhaps appropriate for general practitioners, but it left us thinking, ‘Really? Is that all you have to say?’ That was absolutely not the case with Daniel. His lectures were fascinating, thought-provoking, and intellectually challenging, giving us a genuine opportunity to grow as professionals.
The conference was a great success, and I received wonderful feedback from both the attendees and the organising committee. Daniel is an engaging, articulate speaker, and the five hours flew by. As is often the case with conferences, though, there is ultimately so much information to absorb that, by the time the Q&A session comes around, you realise you're not asking the questions you would have asked if you'd had time to properly process everything.
That's why I particularly appreciated the opportunity to have a follow-up Q&A session several weeks later. It allowed me to revisit the material, reflect on it at my own pace, and ask the questions that really mattered to me.
On a personal level, the experience was also a wonderful surprise. I was a little nervous about hosting one of the leading figures in my specialty. However, the very first time we met, he greeted me with a big hug, and all my nerves immediately disappeared. What followed were hours and hours of conversations (and plenty of laughter), about behaviour, but also about our lives. His life story is fascinating, so if you ever have the chance to hear about it, don't miss the opportunity. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of those conversations.
Prof. Patrick PAGEAT
Professor Daniel MILLS is one of the few people who have played a crucial role in the development of veterinary applied ethology and behavioural medicine. His prominent contribution lays in the development of highly useful scales to evaluate the impulsivity and emotional disorders in dogs but includes too the introduction of the most recent knowledge in cognitive processes. This last contribution is crucial in modifying the veterinary approach to behaviour disorders, making that the problematic (to humans) behaviours may be related to cognitive bias and not just Skinnerian processes. In addition, a highly skilled teacher and fascinating speaker, who has recruited and tutored numerous talented vets and non-vets students.
I feel honoured and pleased to recommend my Colleague and Friend, Daniel Millsto all those who need his scientific collaboration or clinical experience.
Dr Prarom Sriphavatsarakom
Faculty of Veterinary Science University of Mahidol, Thailand
Professor Daniel Mills has had a great influence on both the field of veterinary behavioural science and my own professional development. His dedication to science and education has inspired many people around the world, including me. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from him. As a mentor, he always encouraged me to think critically, ask questions, and continue improving. His guidance, patience, and support have given me confidence and helped shape the way I work as a clinician and academic. I am truly grateful for everything I have learned from him, and I believe his impact will continue through everyone he has inspired.
Prof Katherine Houpt
Professor Emerita Cornell University, Charter Diplomat American College of Veterinary Behavior
Dr Mills is a prolific and well-respected scientist who, in collaboration with his many students from around the world, has contributed greatly to our understanding of the animal mind.
Dr Himara Van Haevermaet
Although Daniel had been my residency supervisor for some time, I needed more focused support to overcome the barriers preventing me from progressing with research. I have previously struggled with understanding statistical analyses, seeing the bigger picture, and organising my work. This resulted in a very messy workflow which then made it difficult to translate my ideas into writing. I would often become so worried about getting things wrong that I struggled to write anything at all!
One aspect of our meetings that I hadn't expected to be so valuable was watching Daniel edit my work while explaining his thought process. Rather than simply receiving comments on a manuscript, I learnt how to approach a problem, structure an argument, and in doing so understand why particular changes improved the work.br>
As a result, I have started to enjoy research and have greater confidence in my abilities. I now find myself thinking like a researcher more often rather than simply trying to complete a project which is a big shift in my mindset.
Thank you!
