FRS 002JJ — Sec. 001
— (2 unit) — CRN 53666 — 1:10-3:00 PM — 25
Wellman
The Human-Animal Bond
Instructor: Ellen Sutter, Department of Pomology, College
of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences
Description: Humans and animals have been connected through
work and play for thousands of years. The first domesticated dogs
appeared early
in the history of humankind. Since then, animals have become an increasingly
important part of the human lives. Animals are used as food, playmates, soul
mates, healers, and can often provide services that other humans
cannot provide.
The bond between a person and an animal may become extremely
strong, especially
if there is a longer period of contact or if the animal assists the person in
some way. What is this bond? How have animals, in particular pets, become so
important in our lives and what services can they provide to people?
‘Companion animal’ is the term used for pets that serve
as companions
for people. Although dogs are the major group of companion animals,
cats, horses,
and birds, as well as other kinds of animals also may be included.
This course
will examine components of the human-animal bond, its origins, how
it develops,
and the grief that follows the death of one of the partners. We
will be concentrating
on ‘helping relationships’ of companion animals and how animals
are used to improve our health and quality of life. Areas that we will cover
will include the role of pets in enhancing the well being of children and the
elderly, how pets are used positively in therapeutic programs, physical and
psychological effects of pets on people, and negative interactions of people
and animals. We will also discuss how we know that animals are
helpers and what
kind of research is used to study the human-animal bond. The main
goals of the
course will be for students to learn the ways in which animals are
used in ‘helping
relationships’ and critically evaluate the information and
arguments presented
to support the benefits of human-animal interactions in
‘helping relationships’.
The big question will be “how do we know that the animals are
really helping?”
How do we measure the improvement in people resulting from such a
relationship?
Format: The course will meet 2 hours per week for 10 weeks.
During the first 6 weeks, an informal presentation by the instructor, videos,
or guest speakers will be followed by discussion. During the last four weeks
students will present group projects on a specific way in which animals are
used in ‘helping relationships.’ Students will be
required to give
an oral presentation as part of a group project. Students will be
taught PowerPoint
and be expected to use the tool during their presentation. One 5-page paper
will be required on a topic of the student’s interest relating to the
human-animal bond. Readings will be assigned weekly from a reader.
Grading:
20 % participation in class, 40% 5-page paper, 40% oral presentation.
About the Instructor: Ellen Sutter is a professor
in the Department
of Pomology where she conducts research on plant tissue culture and
propagation
of fruit and nut crops. She is also director of the Teaching
Resources Center.
She has had dogs as pets for many years and has personally
experienced the human-animal
bond.