Here are our picks for a few things to think about this quarter when you find yourself in the mood to reflect on the amazing connections between people and animals and on policies and attitudes that can get in the way

Companion Animal Welfare

Julie Falconer’s piece in Humane Pro, the Humane Society of the US’s publication, “Leap of Faith:  what does it truly take to welcome adopters?” is an inspiring must-read. Falconer explores what it takes to learn to trust potential adopters, instead of confronting them with the suspicion and barriers that have long been a staple of the industry. It is particularly resonant during this pandemic when more people than ever are seeking the comfort of an animal companion.

Misinformation 

A recent Forbes article defended insurance rules that restrict access to homeowner’s insurance according to the reported breed of the clients’ family dogs. These rules discriminate against people of color and the less affluent among these companies’ customers. We expose the author’s use of cherry-picked data and blatant misinformation. 

Dog Aggression 

When Major Biden, the President’s dog, bit someone, it became viral news. Dog trainers and self-proclaimed behavior consultants jumped at the chance to share their fact-free, out of context opinions on the dog’s state of mind and what could have triggered the incident. These kinds of context-free opinion pieces from professionals is one of the most egregious forms of malpractice