The Shifting Lens: Viewing the Animal Experience

In this two-part episode we welcome Melvin Chan to discuss his research reviewing the impact of including live morethanhuman animals in educational programs for children and youth. Specifically with a focus on the promotion of social and emotional competencies. We consider the ways in which these kinds of programs may exclude certain populations, how the inclusion of different species might affect outcomes, and the ways in which trainers and the animal workers themselves could be affected by these programs.

Episode hosts: Tiamat Warda - www.tiamatwarda.com | @TiamatWarda Rebecca Madrid - www.rebecca-madrid.com | @RebeccaLMadrid

Chan, Melvin Chin-Hao. 2021. A scoping review of outcome evaluations of universal programs that incorporate live animals to promote the social and emotional competencies of children and youth. Vancouver: University of British Columbia Library. https://doi.org/10.14288/1.0401253. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/79199

Chan, Melvin Chin-Hao. 2017. Speech, Language and Sleep Problems in Children with Down Syndrome : A Role for Speech-Language Pathologists? Vancouver: University of British Columbia Library. https://doi.org/10.14288/1.0354469

Durlak, J.A., Weissberg, R.P., Dymnicki, A.B., Taylor, R.D. and Schellinger, K.B. (2011), The Impact of Enhancing Students’ Social and Emotional Learning: A Meta-Analysis of School-Based Universal Interventions. Child Development, 82: 405-432. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01564.x

Durlak, J.A., DuPre, E.P. Implementation Matters: A Review of Research on the Influence of Implementation on Program Outcomes and the Factors Affecting Implementation. Am J Community Psychol 41, 327 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-008-9165-0

Nation, M., Crusto, C., Wandersman, A., Kumpfer, K. L., Seybolt, D., Morrissey-Kane, E., & Davino, K. (2003). What works in prevention: Principles of effective prevention programs. American Psychologist, 58(6-7), 449–456. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.58.6-7.449

Payton, J.W., Wardlaw, D.M., Graczyk, P.A., Bloodworth, M.R., Tompsett, C.J. and Weissberg, R.P. (2000), Social and Emotional Learning: A Framework for Promoting Mental Health and Reducing Risk Behavior in Children and Youth. Journal of School Health, 70: 179-185. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1746-1561.2000.tb06468.x

Harvard University Graduate School of Education, EASEL Lab Kernels: https://easel.gse.harvard.edu/news-and-resources/kernels

In this two-part episode we welcome Melvin Chan to discuss his research reviewing the impact of including live morethanhuman animals in educational programs for children and youth. Specifically with a focus on the promotion of social and emotional competencies. We consider the ways in which these kinds of programs may exclude certain populations, how the inclusion of different species might affect outcomes, and the ways in which trainers and the animal workers themselves could be affected by these programs.

Episode hosts: Tiamat Warda - www.tiamatwarda.com | @TiamatWarda Rebecca Madrid - www.rebecca-madrid.com | @RebeccaLMadrid

Chan, Melvin Chin-Hao. 2021. A scoping review of outcome evaluations of universal programs that incorporate live animals to promote the social and emotional competencies of children and youth. Vancouver: University of British Columbia Library. https://doi.org/10.14288/1.0401253. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/79199

Chan, Melvin Chin-Hao. 2017. Speech, Language and Sleep Problems in Children with Down Syndrome : A Role for Speech-Language Pathologists? Vancouver: University of British Columbia Library. https://doi.org/10.14288/1.0354469

Durlak, J.A., Weissberg, R.P., Dymnicki, A.B., Taylor, R.D. and Schellinger, K.B. (2011), The Impact of Enhancing Students’ Social and Emotional Learning: A Meta-Analysis of School-Based Universal Interventions. Child Development, 82: 405-432. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01564.x

Durlak, J.A., DuPre, E.P. Implementation Matters: A Review of Research on the Influence of Implementation on Program Outcomes and the Factors Affecting Implementation. Am J Community Psychol 41, 327 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-008-9165-0

Nation, M., Crusto, C., Wandersman, A., Kumpfer, K. L., Seybolt, D., Morrissey-Kane, E., & Davino, K. (2003). What works in prevention: Principles of effective prevention programs. American Psychologist, 58(6-7), 449–456. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.58.6-7.449

Payton, J.W., Wardlaw, D.M., Graczyk, P.A., Bloodworth, M.R., Tompsett, C.J. and Weissberg, R.P. (2000), Social and Emotional Learning: A Framework for Promoting Mental Health and Reducing Risk Behavior in Children and Youth. Journal of School Health, 70: 179-185. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1746-1561.2000.tb06468.x

Harvard University Graduate School of Education, EASEL Lab Kernels: https://easel.gse.harvard.edu/news-and-resources/kernels

For episode 1 of season 2 of the Shifting Lens podcast, it was a delight to have Angela Lacinak talk about her research on the perceptions that zoo visitors have of the emotions of other species, specifically elephants, living in zoos. The conversation also brought in discourse concerning the emotional lives of animals living in zoos, as well as how our understandings of this has shifted in recent years.

Find out more about Angela's work: University of Exeter doctoral research:

Meet the episode hosts:

In this video we discuss the other than human companions of various political leaders with a focus on the role of dogs specifically in the political spotlight.  We also consider the more unorthodox residents of the White House, which historically includes large private collections of wild and exotic animals.

Meet the hosts:

References:

In this episode we are joined by Dr. Sargon Donabed to discuss the intersection of his research on Indigenous Middle Eastern cultures and Anthrozoology. Dr. Donabed is a Director of the Assyrian Studies Association (ASA) and holds a PhD in Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations and an MSc in Anthrozoology.

We discuss nonhuman animal populations that have been displaced and separated using the lens of human diaspora, arbitrarily drawn borders, and the concept of "home". Additionally, we consider the factors that lead us to focus on certain animal species or human populations over others, including assigned personhood and the optics of protective action.

Meet the hosts:

ASA (Assyrian Studies Association) https://www.assyrianstudiesassociation.org/

In this episode we welcome Shannon Riley, who is currently completing her Masters in Anthrozoology at the University of Exeter, to talk to us about her experience gentling mustangs and the current research it inspired. We'll discuss some of the issues with managing wild mustang populations, the language used to categorize the individuals, and how the terms applied can affect their lives directly. See below for some resources to learn more.  

Meet the hosts:

Mustang stewardship:

Horse-Human Interaction:

In this episode we discuss our experiences living with companion animal species that fall outside what is considered common or traditional. We'll talk about some of the issues with the 'exotic' pet trade, understanding the individual and species specific needs, and the relationships between human and non-human companions. We feature a couple of special guests, a green-cheeked conure named Bifrost and a royal python named Apep.

Meet the hosts:

Tiamat Warda - www.humanima.de/en | @TiamatWarda

Molly Sumridge - www.mollysumridge.com  | @MollySumridge

Rebecca Madrid - www.rebecca-madrid.com | @RebeccaLMadrid

In this episode we discuss anthrozoology and cryptozoology with Dr. Margo DeMello. Dr. DeMello is an assistant professor in the Anthrozoology Department at Carroll College and the author of 13 books, including Animals and Society: An Introduction to Human-Animal Studies.

Dr. DeMello has spent 30 years actively involved with the House Rabbit Society, acting as President for 14 years. She has also served as the Program Director of Human-Animal Studies at the Animals & Society Institute for 15 years. You can learn more about her at https://margodemello.com

Meet the hosts:

Source Mentioned:

In this episode we discuss some of the varied approaches to entering the field of anthrozology and why we find it so fulfilling and engaging to be a part of this community. We also refer to some well-rounded, introductory reading material that we hope will help listeners determine if anthrozoology may also be the perfect fit for them. Those sources are offered below.