Biologica: Where Humans and Animals Meet

Come explore animal ethics, with a distinctly continental flare. Dr. Susan talks with Dr. Judith Benz-Schwartzburg of Vienna about ethics that go beyond traditional welfare concerns and delve into care ethics. It may raise questions and challenge your perspectives about pets, and more.

More resources:

Two papers co-authored by the interviewee:

Caring animals and the ways we wrong them.

Judith Benz-Schwarzburg et al. Biol Philos.2023.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37388763/

How Dogs Perceive Humans and How Humans Should Treat Their Pet Dogs: Linking Cognition With Ethics

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.584037/full

Dr. Judith Benz-Shwartzburg website:

https://vetmeduni.academia.edu/DrJudithBenzSchwarzburg

ARLGP Humane Education programs

https://arlgp.org/humane-education/about/

Dr. Susan, recovering from a concussion, creates a simpler episode to explore the milkweed patch in her yard, searching for a monarch caterpillar.

The episode includes an older interview with the founder of Save Our Monarchs.

The Rat Pack:

Rats and the Humans Who Love Them

Discover why rats make wonderful, sweet pets in this episode of Biologica. If you love them, fear them, or are just curious, come learn some things that might surprise you! In this episode, Skye adopts three boy rats, and Dr. Susan interviews the adoption coordinator at Mainely Rat Rescue. We also spy on rats in the City of Lights.

Mainely rat rescue home page: Mainely Rat Rescue – Because Every Rat Is Worth Rescuing

https://mainelyratrescue.org/rattieblog2/

Mainely rat rescue care guides https://mainelyratrescue.org/rattieblog2/care-guides/

Teenage Beatrix Potter with her pet mouse (it’s not a rat, but it’s a close cousin):

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0A9Ym6QFzoOXlQdSoYkgiyQ5xbKs2bMBB3Fx0JdKtxJMU720dFbwEuKyyVaByFn_3aq1ZcsmJJ7ibyEJb2CrfADMSKls5HE0Jb9N-R0JRPmPYLer0tlGl-6LC4_zl3hyphenhyphenkgm3713h8yE/s1600/beatrix-potter-pets-6.jpg

Cute video of rats eating peas: Rats eating peas

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H-EN32f-P6o

A donation was made to Mainely Rat Rescue as part of this Episode.

(Mainely Rat Rescue is unique in focusing specifically on rats. Note that Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland and many other shelters also do wonderful work adopting out pet rats along with their other charges.)

Welcome to season 2 of the Biologica Podcast! Join Dr. Susan and Dr. Christine Calder as we explore cats, how they see the world and their lives in our homes, and when/why things go wrong. We’ll explore cat aggression, stress and conflict in multi-cat homes, and other cat behavior issues, but also how they connect to the natural behaviors in wild cats they are related to. We’ll also explore things we can do to help. Learn about the “tiny tigers” in your home, and how to make the home setting a more healthy and happy space for them.  

Dr. Calder Behavior Service Website:

Calder Veterinary Behavior Services

Resources and information recommended by Dr. Christine Calder:

Food puzzles:

Welcome! - Food Puzzles for Cats

The Five Pillars of a Healthy Feline Environment (2013 version) 

2013 AAFP/ISFM Environmental Needs Guidelines - catvets.com

Positive Reinforcement Training Toolkit 

Positive Reinforcement Training Educational Toolkit - catvets.com

Chronic Pain Educational Toolkit

Chronic Pain Educational Toolkit - catvets.com

Intercat tension: 

2024 AAFP Intercat Tension Guidelines: Recognition, Prevention, and Management - catvets.com   

Biting Behavior in Kittens - Veterinary Partner - VIN

Biting Behavior in Kittens - Veterinary Partner - VIN

Human Directed Aggression in Cats - Veterinary Partner - VIN 

Human Directed Aggression in Cats - Veterinary Partner - VIN

Join Dr. Susan in discussing gardens and our love of them, and the many health benefits they have for us. Interviewee Ricky Kemery is a master gardener and educator, and publisher of the 2022 book Sensible Sustainability: A Lighthearted Approach to Develop Sustainable Landscapes and Gardens:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63839093-sensible-sustainability

We will also discuss gardening with an artist and potter, Deborah, and with Dr. Susan’s husband and daughters. The episode is dedicated to Dr. Susan’s father, Tom, who shares Ricky Kemery’s newsletter regularly with her…

Ricky’s Gardening Tips and Tricks and Home Horticulture is an online newsletter based in Indiana. To subscribe, send an email to [email protected].

This episode marks the end of Season 1 of the Biologica Podcast. Season 2 will begin in fall of 2026.

In this episode of Biologica, we examine why certain animals trigger fear or disgust. The show features interviews with friends and family about animals that make them uncomfortable, plus a conversation with an Australian researcher of disgust and fear.

Together, we delve into research highlights, a fascinating interview, personal stories, and even a poem by Emily Dickinson. Come explore animals that unsettle us, and why.

Learn more- here is the link to an article related to biophobias with Dr. Saluja as an author:

(PDF) A review of the phenomenology, aetiology and treatment of animal phobia and insights for biophobia

New Yorker article/book review with excerpt read in episode:

An Arachnophobe Pays Homage to the Spider | The New Yorker

Join Dr. Susan and Pippin the rescue Boston terrier puppy in this episode about raising puppies to be happy and healthy dogs. The episode includes a fascinating discussion with Amber Zawrotny, a shelter behavior and training manager. Explore what has changed in the thinking and research about best practices in raising puppies, and how to avoid behavior issues that are common in adult dogs. And remember those Pandemic Puppies? Find out what's happening (and challenging!) with them now.

Sophia Yin checklist for puppy socialization: https://wagsandwiggles.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Puppy-Socialization-Checklist.pdf

Independence Training for dogs: https://www.sfspca.org/resource/independence-training/

Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland - Meet the Trainers https://arlgp.org/meet-the-trainers/

Iconic article about a Pandemic Puppies Cohort and the problem behaviors noted when they became adults: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/2/336

A donation was made to the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland (and in honor of all of the other shelter and rescue organizations) in thanks for all their work going above and beyond to help the Pandemic Puppies - and the lovable but sometimes challenging adult dogs they’ve grown into.

Note - Pippin was named Friendly when first adopted, and so you’ll hear him called that some in this episode (from before he was renamed).

Also- I just want to acknowledge: sometimes a dog can struggle with behavioral issues despite the humans in its life "doing everything right" - when that is the case, working with a trainer or behaviorist and your veterinarian are excellent options.

Dr. Susan is welcoming a new puppy, Pippin, into her home. Pippin is a rescue boston terrier, and inspired an episode on the "smushed-face" (brachycephalic) breeds.

Dr. Mark Hanks and the host discuss brachycephalic (short‑nosed) dogs: their unique anatomy, medical issues and care, and breeding implications, with practical advice for owners on when to seek veterinary care.

The episode also delves into the increasing popularity of breeds like english bulldogs and frenchies, and the controversies and debates this has spawned. Finally, the issue will be looked at through both scientific and poetic lenses. Come meet Pippin and find out more about these beloved but complex dogs - why they have such special needs and spark such debate!

Find out more- OFA Respiratory Function Grading Scale Information:

https://ofa.org/diseases/rfgs/OFA

AVMA news about health grades for brachycephalic breeds

https://www.avma.org/news/health-screening-test-rolled-out-brachycephalic-dog-breeds

Early Romans Bred Dogs with Flat Faces:

https://archaeologymag.com/2023/04/early-romans-bred-dogs-with-flat-faces/

Chihuahua, boxer, and 10 other dog breeds at risk of breathing troubles

https://www.popsci.com/environment/chihuahua-boxer-and-10-other-dog-breeds-at-risk-of-breathing-troubles/

Title: Relative to the definition of animal cruelty: Bill Text: NH HB1102 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced | LegiScan

Today's episode of Biologica introduces animal ethics with an interview with philosopher and ethicist Dr. Clare Palmer from Texas A&M University. We discuss the field of animal ethics, real research examples, and practical dilemmas from both academic and everyday perspectives. Dr. Susan also shares personal stories about youthful ethics dilemmas in science, reflecting on how educators can support students as they navigate ethical choices. The discussion also weaves in current climate change and environmental issues with animal ethics and philosophy. This episode is the first of several planned episodes exploring animal ethics. Interview: Dr. Clare Palmer -George T. and Gladys H. Abell Professor of Liberal Arts & Professor of Philosophy -Department of Philosophy -Texas A&M University Links: https://animalethics.ku.dk/columns-for-canadian-veterinary-journal/ https://artsci.tamu.edu/philosophy/contact/profiles/clare-palmer.html

Join Dr. Susan for a field episode at Snowmass Ski Resort in the White River National Forest to explore the plants, animals, and adaptations of winter in the Colorado Rockies. Discover the hidden secrets of the natural world behind the busy ski resort.

     The episode features interviews with student Mary Michael, Lillian Bell of the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, a naturalist-led mountain tour, and more. Discover the unique partnership of ACES and the ski resort, and enjoy this snowy science adventure!

*A donation was made to the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies: https://aspennature.org/

ps the state flower guess was correct!