The Shifting Lens: Viewing the Animal Experience

For this episode we had the honour of hosting the wonderful poet, Gordon Meade. We were thrilled Gordon reached out to us for a collaboration! Gordon is a Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellow and the author of numerous books, including Singing Seals, The Private Zoo, and most recently, Zoospeak which features the photography work of Canadian photojournalist and animal activist Jo-Anne McArthur. Gordon also delivers creative writing courses to vulnerable young people in a variety of settings. We talk about Zoospeak, Gordon’s newest project called Exposed Animal Elegies, and how his life led him to speaking for animals through poetry. Gordon also kindly read three of the poems from Zoospeak, offering us the opportunity to hear them as they were meant to be heard. 3:46 Brown Bear, Germany, 2008 - p26 8:49 Macaque, Laos, 2011 - p52 18:48 Lynx, Denmark, 2016 - p94 We highly recommend viewing the video format for this episode so that you can experience the vivid imagery of Jo-Anne McArthur’s photographs alongside Gordon’s words. You can also find a link to the book *Zoospeak: Poems and Photography* below. Meet the episode hosts: Tiamat Warda - www.tiamatwarda.com | @TiamatWarda Rebecca Madrid - www.rebecca-madrid.com | @RebeccaLMadrid   https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poet/gordon-meade https://joannemcarthur.com https://weanimalsmedia.org  Gordon’s work: - *Zoospeak: Poems and Photography* (Enthusiastic Press, 2020) ISBN 1916113044 https://www.enthusiasticpress.co.uk/post/zoospeak - *The Private Zoo* (Arrowhead Press, 2008) ISBN 1904852106 - *The Singing Seals* (Chapman Publishing, 1991) ISBN 0906772338

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: https://socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk/ease/people/angimillwoodlacinak/ Precision Behavior: https://www.precisionbehavior.com/ Meet the episode hosts: Rebecca Madrid - www.rebecca-madrid.com | @RebeccaLMadrid Tiamat Warda - www.tiamatwarda.com | @TiamatWarda

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: Tiamat Warda - www.humanima.de/en | @TiamatWarda Molly Sumridge - www.mollysumridge.com | @MollySumridge Rebecca Madrid - www.rebecca-madrid.com | @RebeccaLMadrid   References: - FDR's Major's bites: https://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/pets/fdr-german-shepherd-major/ - More FDR's Major's bites: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/major-fdr-biden-german-shepherd_n_6064b13cc5b6d5b7a695293a- All the lists of presidents and their pets: https://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/ - Irish President Mr. Higgins and Misneach https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0j5zBJrYOw - Higgins and his dog, Misneach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jplSVS9QVdw https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/craic/michael-d-higgins-dog - "Trump, the first president in a century with no dog, explains why: ‘I don’t have any time'": https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/02/12/trump-first-president-century-with-no-dog-explains-why-i-dont-have-any-time/ - Finland's Boston Terrier: https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/debate_on_breeding_defects_muzzles_finlands_first_dog/11536363 - "Donald Trump hates dogs. Here's what that tells us about him": https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/politics/article/donald-trump-dogs

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: Tiamat Warda - www.humanima.de/en | @TiamatWarda Molly Sumridge - www.mollysumridge.com | @MollySumridge Rebecca Madrid - www.rebecca-madrid.com | @RebeccaLMadrid ASA (Assyrian Studies Association) https://www.assyrianstudiesassociation.org/ *Reforging a forgotten history: Iraq and the Assyrians in the Twentieth Century: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/reforging-a-forgotten-history/40E789C116E3485B9B774BE46569EBEA *The Assyrian heritage: threads of continuity and influence: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/292782661_The_Assyrian_Heritage_Threads_of_Continuity_and_Influence *Rethinking nationalism and an appellative conundrum: historiography and politics in Iraq: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14608944.2011.646973?journalCode=cnid20 *Remnants of Heroes: The Assyrian Experience: the Continuity of the Assyrian Heritage from Kharput to New England: https://www.abebooks.com/9780974445076/Remnants-Heroes-Assyrian-Experience-Continuity-097444507X/plp

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: Tiamat Warda - www.humanima.de/en | @TiamatWarda Molly Sumridge - www.mollysumridge.com  | @MollySumridge Rebecca Madrid - www.rebecca-madrid.com | @RebeccaLMadrid   Mustang stewardship: - Honest Horses: Wild Horses in the Great Basin by Paula Morin, 2006 - Wild Horse Country: The History, Myth and Future of the Mustang by David Phillips, 2017 - Mustang: The Saga of the Wild Horse in the American West by Deanne Stillman, 2009 - Wild Horses: The Consequences of Doing Nothing by Ben Masters, 2017   Horse-Human Interaction: - Mustangs and Prisoners: Narratives of Capture and Domestication by Natalie Corinne Hansen, 2011 - Talking About Horses: Control and Freedom in the World of Natural Horsemanship by Lynda Birke, 2008 - Mustangs and Domestic Horses: Examining What We Think We Know About Differences by Karen K. Dalke and Megan J. Olson Hunt, 2017 - At the Threshold of Change: The Inmates and Wild Horses of Canon City, Colorado by Karen Dalke, 2008

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: Tiamat Warda - www.humanima.de/en | @TiamatWarda Molly Sumridge - www.mollysumridge.com  | @MollySumridge Rebecca Madrid - www.rebecca-madrid.com | @RebeccaLMadrid Source Mentioned: Anthropology and Cryptozoolgy - ed. Samantha Hurn https://www.routledge.com/Anthropology-and-Cryptozoology-Exploring-Encounters-with-Mysterious-Creatures/Hurn/p/book/9780367595722

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.   Anthrozoology is a relatively new, interdisciplinary field that focuses on human and nonhuman animal interactions. It can be unclear what exactly anthrozoology entails and how to get into it, so we hope this episode can help.    Meet the hosts: Tiamat Warda - www.humanima.de/en | @TiamatWarda Molly Sumridge - www.mollysumridge.com  | @MollySumridge Rebecca Madrid - www.rebecca-madrid.com | @RebeccaLMadrid   Sources Discussed: Humans and Other Animals - Samantha Hurn https://www.plutobooks.com/9781849647267/humans-and-other-animals/ Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy - Aubrey Fine https://www.elsevier.com/books/handbook-on-animal-assisted-therapy/fine/978-0-12-381453-1 Animals and Society https://www.animalsandsociety.org