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Background

Dr. Discepolo focuses on Animal Behavior and Welfare within the Animal and Veterinary Sciences department. Dr. Discepolo has a research focus of exploring the correlations between behavior, welfare, health, and performance in working animals. Dr. Discepolo has completed two fellowships working with the Department of Defense to research critical topics necessary for policy decisions regarding military working dogs. Dr. Discepolo has also worked in collaboration with prominent industry partners and working dog facilities to research and provide mission-critical information for the force of working dogs and working dog handlers in the United States. Additionally, Dr. Discepolo has advanced research on the dermal microbiota composition of canines and its potential health correlates. Although work with canines has been a central focus, Dr. Discepolo has also participated in and guided research in equine behavior and health, and works with the performance and working horse community to identify and fill information gaps that help the everyday horse owner and performance facility alike. Through these endeavors, Dr. Discepolo has mentored both undergraduate and graduate students successfully through research and has expanded her teaching to not just traditional students but also to community and industry members. Dr. Discepolo is committed to meeting the working animal industry where they stand and provide needed data for management protocols that promote optimal welfare and performance. 

Education

Publications

1. C.Crowell, J. Francis, D.Discepolo, E.Perry. 2026. Influence of oil based palatants on eating behavior in equine weanlings. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 161:105858. DOI: 
2. E. Perry ,  M. Karpinsky ,  K. Bender , S. Liang,  E. Jenkins , D. Discepolo ,  E. Marquart  and L. DeGreeff 2026. An analysis of working dog exposure to environmental contaminants at the Surfside building collapse. Front. Vet. Sci. 13:1725234. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2026.1725234
3. D. Discepolo, B. Farr,  D. Broach, A. Henderson, A. Gerardo, J. Dyer and E. Best. 2025. United States military working dogs from 2019 to 2021: analysis of causes of service discharge and decreased service life. 2025. Front. Vet. Sci. 12:1580628. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1580628
4. D.Discepolo, N.Richards, E.Best, M.Cablk, E.Perry. 2025. The Working Dog: A Canine Multi-Tool. Book chapter: The Palgrave Handbook of Human-Animal Interactions in the Global Context of Climate Change, Disasters, and Other Crises. DOI: 
5. J. Bailey, D.Discepolo, E.Perry. 2025. An Investigation of Force Potential Against the Canine Neck Associated with Collar Use. J Vet Behav. , 19 24.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2024.10.007.
6. D.Discepolo, A.Watkins, E.Perry. 2024. Compositional and growth response and recovery of the canine dermal microbiota following a single antimicrobial bath. Front Vet Sci. In preparation.
7. D.Discepolo, L.Gaare, E.Perry. 2024. Fluctuations in dermal barrier parameters in horses throughout day and anatomical location. J Equine Vet Sci. 140:105140.
8. E. Aviles-Rosa , J. Schultz, M. Maughan, J. Gadberry, D. DiPasquale, B. Farr, A. Henderson , E. Best , D. Discepolo, P Buckley, E. Perry, D Zoran, N. Hall . 2024. A canine model to evaluate the effect of exercise intensity and duration on olfactory detection limits: the running nose. Front Allergy. Vol 5.Page 6
9. Handlos G., D.Discepelo, G.Apgar, C. Crowell, and E. Perry. 2023. Efficacy of Electrolyte Chews in Horses. Journal of Animal Science. Volume 101 (Supplement 3), Page 365
10. E. Perry, D. Discepolo, S. Liang, M. Scott., K. Williamson, K. Bender, 2023. Biocidal effects of a wipe-down procedure using common veterinary cleansers on microbial burden within working canine exterior coats. Front Vet Sci 10.
11. D.Discepolo, E.Perry, A.Watkins, R.Kelley, 2023. Impacts to canine dermal microbiota associated with repeated bathing. Front Vet Sci 10.
12. D.Discepolo, R. Kelley, S. Liang, E. Jenkins, E. Perry. 2023. Assessment of the barrier function of canine skin after repeated decontamination. J Vet Behav.
13. D.Discepolo, S. Liang, E. Jenkins, E. Perry. 2022. A Comparison of Canine Decontamination Cleansers: Implications for Water Use, Dermal pH, and Contaminant Reduction. J. Vet. Behav.
14. E. Perry, D. Discepolo, S. Liang, E. Jenkins. 2020. Efficacy of a field wipe-down procedure utilizing common antiseptic cleansers to reduce the burden of a simulated aerosolized contaminant on working canine coats. Front in Vet Sci.
15. E. Perry, D. Discepolo, E. Jenkins, R. Kelly, K. Kelsey and S. Liang. 2020. An assessment of anatomical locations of simulated contaminant exposure from standing liquid hazards by working dogs during a simulated search scenario. J Vet Behav.
16. E. Perry, E. Powell, D.Discepolo, J. Francis and S. Liang. 2020. An Assessment of Decontamination Strategies for Materials Commonly Used in Canine Equipment. J Spec Oper Med.
17. E. Venable, D. Discepolo, E. Powell, and S. Y. Liang. 2017. An evaluation of current working canine decontamination procedures and methods for improvement. J Ve. Behav. Clin Appl Res. 21.