The Human-Animal Connection: A Guide for Non-Pet Owners

While images of agitated activists hurling paint at fur-clad celebrities may not present animal lovers in their best light, the relationship between humans and animals has many fascinating aspects that even non-pet owners may find intriguing. More than little fur balls requiring intermittent petting; animals make numerous contributions to the human world and reveal compelling insights about our humanity. Enlightening and sometimes disturbing, the human-animal connection has significance that reaches far beyond the kennel to the realm of the psychiatric community, Congress and even the FBI.

Though many are familiar with the roles of guide dogs, assistance animals enrich human lives in ways that almost defy imagination. Their contributions are vast and varied. Therapy animals have been documented as lowering blood pressure, anxiety and distress in humans. They have frequently been used in hospitals, nursing homes, even mental institutions. They are also used in disaster situations. In the September 11 tragedy, many victims and rescue workers at the World Trade Center found comfort and solace in therapy dogs that were sometimes able to connect with humans more directly than human counselors. The duties they performed at Ground Zero put a new perspective on this type of therapy.

Such animals work with abused and traumatized children or help the disabled learn motor skills everyday. Sometimes the therapy is induced by the simple petting or companionship that an animal can offer, but other forms are more specific. Equitherapy is a form of therapy assisted by horses that means “treatment with the help of a horse.” In equitherapy, the horse helps the rider rather than the traditional activity in which the rider controls the movements of the horse. The freedom of being on a horse can simply help by inspiring confidence with the control such movement can induce. The rhythmic and repetitive motion of a horse’s gait provides other sensory benefits. The Therapeutic Riding Center of Israel has an indoor riding arena of 2000 square meters and a professional staff that includes physiotherapists and certified, experienced riding instructors. Professional doctors, psychologists, physiotherapists, and educational advisors supervise the staff. More information on their program can be found at http://www.trci.org.il.
Even capuchin monkeys have been trained to assist quadriplegic individuals. Quadriplegics have limited or no control over their arms and legs. These monkeys not only help such individuals relieve the loneliness such a predicament can produce, but they can perform simple tasks such as turning on and off lights or getting something to eat. Helping Hands is an incredible organization at http://www.helpinghandsmonkeys.org/ which charges no fees for performing such services.
On a darker note, while one would be foolish to make the claim that a dislike of animals is a reflection of a criminal mind, psychologists have noted a disturbing link between animal cruelty and violence against humans. In fact, the standard diagnostic and treatment manual for psychiatric and emotional disorders used by psychiatrists and psychologists lists cruelty to animals as a diagnostic criterion for conduct disorders. A recent scientific study actually documents the link between animal cruelty and human violence and concludes that offenders of violent crimes are significantly more likely to have abused pets and stray animals in their childhood than non-violent criminals. University of South Florida professor Kathleen Heide and animal welfare expert Linda Merz-Perez came to this conclusion after an examination of a random sample of approximately 100 male violent and non-violent inmates at a maximum-security facility.

Certainly, “animal abuse” and “cruelty” are open to interpretation. They may include behaviors such as neglect, intentional abuse, torture or killing. Instances of neglect are not always a symptom of a personality disorder and may even occur unintentionally. Education is a practical means of addressing some instances of neglect. In fact, that is one of the purposes of such sites as Adoring Pets at www.AdoringPets.com. By familiarizing the public with the proper care of animals and their contributions, Adoring Pets hopes not only to educate people about the ways in which they can benefit animals, but about how animals benefit humans every day.

Other instances of neglect are simply out of control and more serious indicators of abuse whether or not they are unintentional. Emma Regina Harter kept more than 230 Chihuahuas and 60 birds at her Antelope Valley home. She was convicted of felony animal cruelty. Animal control officers found these poor animals living in filthy conditions on her California ranch. Over 20 of the dogs were already dead and 14 of them were "so severely medically impaired" that they were euthanized, according to the Deputy District Attorney. Her crime carries a potential sentence of 5-1/2 years.

Intentional cruelty such as violence or torture against animals is a likely indication of a serious disorder and a predictor of such behavior against humans. In fact, many serial killers such as Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer spent their childhoods torturing animals. Ted Bundy mutilated animals as a child before killing dozens of women. Jeffrey Dahmer killed neighborhood pets, nailed frogs on trees and impaled the heads of dogs on sticks.

Animal abusers come young and they come old. Harter, also referred to as the “Granny Animal Abuser” was 72 years old at the time of her conviction. Margaret Mead, renowned anthropologist, remarked that "one of the most dangerous things that can happen to a child is to kill or torture an animal and get away with it." Instilling compassionate values and empathy, particularly in children, seems to be a means of countering potential animal abuse and ultimately such abuse in adults. Project Pooch is a good example of this effort. Project Pooch pairs selected juvenile offenders incarcerated at the Oregon Youth Authority's MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility with rescued dogs from animal shelters. Their program trains the youths to obedience train and prepare the dogs for adoption. “By managing their dogs, students learn how to manage their own behavior. They also earn school credits, develop good work habits, and acquire valuable occupational skills.” Project Pooch may be found at http://www.pooch.org .
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Long considered mere banter among animal enthusiasts, animal cruelty is fortunately taken much more seriously nowadays among lawmakers, public health and law enforcement officials. Several states give judges discretionary authority to order animal abusers to undergo psychiatric counseling. Bills in various states reflect numerous measures to prevent acts of animal abuse and include actions that advocate such matters as cross-reporting among child protection professionals and animal control officers; banning cockfighting; and making aggravated animal abuse a felony.
Animal abuse has even received noted attention at the federal level. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recognizes the animal-abuse/human violence link and actually incorporates animal cruelty into its assessment of the potential threat a suspect might pose to society. FBI Special Agent Allan Brantley has underscored the FBI’s reasoning by stating that "Animal cruelty...is not a harmless venting of emotion in a healthy individual; this is a warning sign...."
It isn’t too hard to see how public awareness and appreciation of the contributions animals make to the human world and our contributions to theirs can assist so much in the well-being of both. Hopefully, animal rights will no longer be limited to the domain of vegetarians or pet enthusiasts. More than a “quirky” or “quaint” obsession, preserving the dignity and respect that animals deserve has far reaching repercussions for humans in general. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with also wanting a little purr in your ear or wet lick on your face. Copyright 2004. Sophistication Alley Ltd. All Rights Reserved.