The Yale Psychology Department will be opening a new Canine Cognition Center, where dogs of all breeds are invited to participate in studies, on Dec. 9.

The center will study cognitive differences across breeds. They are also investigating whether dogs learn ways similar to how a human child does. Dogs grow up in human like environments, so the psychologists want to see how this social contact influences their learning.

Yale psychology professor Laurie Santos and her students have already begun studies in cooperation with two New Haven-area dog daycare centers. The Yale Canine Cognition Center will allow more to become involved.

The Center is located at 175 Ronan St., near the Yale Farm and Yale Divinity School’s dog park and all are welcome to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 p.m on Monday.