“Meet the Founder of the Cross‑Species Institute”

Dr Dean Hart is the founder of the Cross‑Species Institute, a research‑led organisation dedicated to improving animal welfare through evidence‑based practice and accessible education. A behavioural biologist and applied welfare practitioner, Dean specialises in emotional regulation, stress assessment, and humane care across species. He holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology, where his research explored heart‑rate variability as a welfare indicator in canine grooming environments. Dean’s work bridges scientific insight with real‑world application, helping smallholders, NGOs, and community projects access the kind of guidance usually reserved for large institutions. Through CSI, Dean offers consultancy, welfare assessment, behavioural profiling, and tailored education designed to create kinder, more emotionally literate systems for animals and the people who care for them.

'We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals' - Immanuel Kant.

Integrating Education and Welfare Across Species

At The Cross‑Species Institute, we bring together education, innovative research, and animal welfare in a fun and engaging way, both online and here in Northern Sicily. As part of our wider mission, Sicily Animal Support represents our on‑the‑ground commitment to local animals and the communities who care for them, ensuring that science and compassion stay connected to real lives and real needs. Our goal is simple: to boost animal well‑being and help people understand behaviour through hands‑on experiences and accessible learning. Whether you’re a student, a researcher, or an animal lover, there’s something here for you. Step into a world where learning meets compassion, and where every action, big or small, helps make a difference.