Animal Odd Couples: Anthrozoology

Many years ago I watched a documentary entitled “Animal Odd Couples” which introduced me to the world of Anthrozoology. “Animal Odd Couples” was a “Nature” episode which outlined the lives of various animals who had formed interesting, cross-species relationships; Relationships that one wouldn't normally expect to find, because the idea of animals experiencing complex emotions, and forming genuine friendships could be – and for a long time was – considered taboo. In the past whenever animal welfare science had hinted at the fact that animals do experience these types of emotions, and do in fact form complex relationships that mirror our own it was considered anthropomorphism. As a student of anthropology who has a deeply seeded passion for
animal welfare, and animal rights, it is my goal to showcase that animals do in fact experience complex emotions, complex kinship systems, and do form genuine friendships. It is important that we recognize this truth because it is the only way we can break down the invisible barrier that separates “us” from “them”. Us, being the human race, and them, being the animal kingdom. Once we have shattered this barrier then we can no longer justify treating entire species of living, feeling, loving creatures as “less than”. I hope to use my research to improve animal rights laws, and to further human-animal relations in the future. If we work together we can create a happier, healthier future for not only our species but for the all of us, human and animal alike, living on our shared planet.