- Special Programs – Grief & Nature
- Organizations & Information
- Citizen & Community Science
- Children’s Programs
- Media
Special Programs – Grief & Nature
Green Pet-Burial Society – information about animal death, bereavement, Nature, and our interspecies families, highlighting mourning practices, the arts, history, and whole-family ecocemeteries.
Our relationships with animals add special meaning to our lives. And for many of us, when they die, we grieve. Often, it is a different experience from when a human family member or friend dies. Animal death shapes how we think about death, generally. The emotions, practices, customs and concepts experienced with the death of a beloved animal, other family member, or even habitat hold deep symbolic meaning, and often influence how we perceive our day-to-day lives. This is why we host this special project, which was founded in 2010.
Organizations & Information
Animal Training & Behavior
Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) – the world’s largest professional dog training community promotes professional trainers in the veterinary profession and dog-friendly training techniques, and helps families find a local trainer.
Family Paws – “to increase safety and reduce stress in homes with young children and family dogs. We’re here to help you answer the question ‘How can we prepare with our dog for life with baby/children?'”
International Institute for Animal Assisted Play Therapy® (IIAAPT) – provides “training, certification, and continuing professional development…for mental health and animal professionals interested in the integration of psychotherapy, play therapy, family therapy, ethology, animal assisted therapy (AAT), and animal welfare, or in providing support services to therapists who wish to conduct AAPT.”
Family Enhancement and Play Therapy Center, Inc. – “information about Play Therapy, Filial Therapy, Animal Assisted Play Therapy® tailored for both parents and professionals, along with play therapy products, online courses, and workshops,” founded by Dr. Risë VanFleet.
International School for Canine Psychology (ISCP) – a distance-learning provider that educates on canine behavior, and teaches force-free methods for dog rehabilitation and training.
Companion Animal Psychology – by animal behaviourist Zazie Todd PhD, author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy and Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy.
AggressiveDog.com – webinars, articles, podcasts, conferences addressing dogs with aggression issues.
5 TIPS for training your dog to like Grooming and Nail Trimming – helpful advice for the toughest job of caring for a dog (along with teeth cleaning) using the Kikopup method.
Simpawtico Dog Training – Another YouTube dog training channel, emphasizing science, management, and cooperation.
Research
Institute for Human-Animal Connection (IHAC) – “elevates the relationships between people, other animals, and the environment to improve the health and welfare of all.” Based at the University of Denver, Graduate School of Social Work.
National Link Coalition – Research and resources exploring the links between violence to humans and ‘pets’ and other animals.
Section on Human Animal Interaction: Research & Practice, of Division 17 (Society of Counseling Psychology) of the American Psychological Association “is dedicated to professional and scholarly activities that advance the understanding of human-animal interactions as they relate to psychology.”
Animal and Interpersonal Abuse Research Group (AIPARG) – multidisciplinary research to understand the co-occurrence of animal and interpersonal violence, and to advocate for change in policy and practice. Based at the University of Windsor.
Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) – a non-profit research and education organization that is gathering, funding and sharing scientific research on positive human health impacts of companion animals. Note: it was founded by the American Pet Products Association, Zoetis, and Petco.
Brooks Animal Law Digest – “in-depth and up-to-date coverage on today’s most important animal law and policy issues,” from The Brooks Institute.
VetCompass (Veterinary Companion Animal Surveillance System) – a not-for-profit research project focused on improving companion animal health, from The Royal Veterinary College (RVC), UK.
YouGovAmerica: Pets – YouGovAmerica is “an international research data and analytics group headquartered in London, UK,” which conducts research and engages in conversations “about beliefs, behaviours and brands” in the US. Here’s a link to their YouGov Survey: Pets. 2022.
The AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook “provides detailed analysis and insight into U.S. pet owners and the U.S. pet population, including pet populations, expenditures, veterinary visits, types of pet owners, and pet acquisition.”
National Canine Research Council – “a non-profit canine behavior science and policy think tank. Our mission is to underwrite, conduct and disseminate academically rigorous research that studies dogs in the context of human society.” (The SPARCS Initiative is now maintained by National Canine Research Council.)
Family Dog Project – a research center for dog cognition from the Department of Ethology at Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
Sniffing the Past ~ Dogs and History – a blog by Chris Pearson, Senior Lecturer in Twentieth Century History at the University of Liverpool, and author of Dogopolis: How Dogs and Humans Made Modern London, New York and Paris (see our list of Books & Articles).
Furscience – the public face of the International Anthropomorphic Research Project (IARP), studying therianthropy (the belief that one is part non-human animal), furries and their fandom and disseminating evidence-based research.
Animal Care
Maddie’s Fund – widely known as a grant-making foundation committed “to keeping pets and people together” and “creating a safety net of care for animals in need,” under their website tabs, “Learn & Connect” and “Resources,” they also offer Community Conversations, forums, videos, conferences, and much more.
Beyond Fences – helping under-served neighborhoods with access to basic pet care resources, including a fenced-in yard. A model program in the Durham, NC area.
Pets For Life, Humane Society of the United States – “closing the service gap that exists for people and pets in underserved areas and bringing awareness…to larger systemic inequities and injustices.”
Resources for Pet Owners, Banfield Foundation – providing lists of state and national organizations that help qualifying families with veterinary care and pet food resources.
Human Animal Bond Association (HABA) – provides information and education to enhance our understanding of how humans and other animals feel towards one another, and what the “human-animal bond” means in their lives.
Pedigree Dogs Exposed – The Blog – the latest news and views regarding inherited disorders and conformation issues in purebred dogs.
Sheltering Animals & Families Together (SAF-T)® – helping domestic violence shelters create on-site pet housing for families fleeing domestic violence.
Senior Dogs Project – information for the adoption, health, and happiness of senior dogs everywhere.
Canine Companions – provides service dogs to adults, children, and veterans with disabilities, and facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice, and educational settings.
Center for Pet Safety – a small nonprofit dedicated to testing “studies pet products, travel conditions…testing practices as well as policies, procedures and regulations in the consumer interest to ensure the best possible chance of survival for your pets, reduce the risk of injury…to the human companion as well as limit the risk exposure to retailers.” A NYT article on auto harnesses.
Cooling Hot Dogs: Myths and Facts – by Siun Griffin, Animal Physiotherapist and Community Manager, London College of Animal Osteopathy (LCAO). From giving dogs cold water to trimming their fur, sage advice to care for you dog as summers get hotter. And remember dog booties to protect their paws from hot pavement, rocks, and sand.
House Rabbit Society – an international nonprofit organization that tells you everything you need to know to help your rabbit and yourself live happier lives.
Pet Food and Supply Recalls: DogFoodAdvisor, CatFoodAdvisor, AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association).
Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE) – a BIPOC-led organization (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) researching community needs and creating tools and opportunities for marginalized people to lead and participate in efforts that enhance interactions between humans and other animals in their own communities.
Dogs Shot by Police – “We advocate and collaborate for change: to eliminate unjustified shootings of dogs by police” or other law enforcement officers.”
M Jenny Edwards (@ChandlerEdwards.org) – bestiality and zoophilia information & resources.
Phobias
How to Overcome a Fear of Dogs – from wikiHow.com. “Cynophobia…is the irrational and uncontrollable fear of dogs…Whatever your level of fear towards dogs, there are ways to help you overcome that fear.”
Exhibitions
The AKC Museum of the Dog – Based in NYC, the museum “preserves, interprets and celebrates the role of dogs in society and educates the public about the human-canine bond through its collection of art and exhibits that inspire positive engagement with dogs.”
The Cat Museum of New York City – “A proposed institution dedicated to supporting cats and the humans who care for them, primarily through art exhibits.”
Citizen & Community Science
Activities & Resources for Curious Families
The best wildlife livestreams to watch around the world – BBC Wildlife’s online magazine, DiscoverWildlfie compiled a list of wildlife livestreams so you can “watch a range of wildlife around the world via webcams from the comfort of your home” or mobile device.
BirdCast – real-time predictions of bird migrations: when they migrate, where they migrate, and how far they will be flying.
Citizen Science – a U.S. federal government site serving as “a catalog of federally supported citizen science projects, a toolkit to assist federal practitioners with designing and maintaining their projects, and a gateway to a community of hundreds of citizen science practitioners and coordinators across government”
DarkSky International – “restores the nighttime environment and protects communities from the harmful effects of light pollution through outreach, advocacy, and conservation,” offering myriad ways to be involved, join a local chapter, and make changes in your environment.
iNaturalist – “an online social network of people sharing biodiversity information to help each other learn about nature…use it to record your own observations, get help with identifications, collaborate with others to collect this kind of information for a common purpose, or access the observational data collected by iNaturalist users.” Originally a project of the California Academy of Sciences, the National Geographic Society. Their in-the-field app is: Seek by INaturalist.
Other identification apps, without the human interaction:
- Merlin Bird ID – From Cornell University
- PictureThis – For Plant identification
The Living Planet Index (LPI) – “is a measure of the state of the world’s biological diversity based on population trends of vertebrate species from terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats.”
National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) – “the nation’s leading organization in lifelong environmental learning, creating opportunities for people to experience and learn about the environment in ways that improve their lives and the health of the planet.”
National Park Service – “Plants, animals, environment, history, culture…Coast to coast, there’s a project out there for you.” Also discusses the difference between ‘citizen science’ and ‘community science.’
Native Plants Database – The National Audubon Society’s database to “explore the best plants for birds in your area, as well as local resources and links to more information.”
SciStarter – “a globally acclaimed, online citizen science hub where thousands of projects…have been registered by individual project leaders or imported through partnerships with federal governments, NGOs, and universities.”
xeno-canto – “a website dedicated to sharing wildlife sounds from all over the world.”
Articles & Blogs
All-night streetlights make leaves inedible to insects, study finds – by Helena Horton, The Guardian.
Citizen Science: Do Try This at Home – by PC Mag: “Get off your couch—there’s no excuse not to do science anymore.”
The Future Of Citizen Science (blog) – by Faunalytics: “Many conservation projects rely on citizen science to monitor wild animals…how can we ensure these efforts are scientifically rigorous and reliable?”
Children’s Programs
HEART (Humane Education Advocates Reaching Teachers) – K-12 humane education programs and teaching resources designed to impact the way youth think about their responsibility to one another, animals, and the natural world.
Media
The Bitey End of the Dog – podcast dedicated to helping dogs with aggression issues. Michael Shikashio CDBC speaks with experts on dog behavior, training, and more.
Shelter Me – film series, airing on PBS, that celebrates shelters pets and the people who help them.
Adam’s Task by The Open Mind – 1986. Richard D. Heffner of Rutgers University interviews Vicki Hearne (author of the book, Adam’s Task: Calling animals by name) about effective communication, especially with other animals.
The SAFeTy Chronicles Podcast – Exploring how to keep humans and animal companions safe from interpersonal violence. Hosted by attorney Allie Phillips, founder and CEO of Sheltering Animals & Families Together.
Music For Cats – Several songs composed by David Teie. [In a study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery in 2019, the authors state: “We conclude that cat-specific music may benefit cats by decreasing the stress levels and increasing the quality of care in veterinary clinical settings.” Smithsonian review.]
The Hatching Cat of Gotham: True and Unusual Animal Tales of Old New York – fascinating stories of life and death, mostly concerning people and their animal companions.
Four&Sons – “a guided tour through the worlds of art, photography, music, design, literature—even maths—as inspired by man’s best friend.”
The World of Dogs, a Family Secrets podcast – Author Dani Shapiro interviews Chloe Shaw, author of What is a Dog?, who shares how her love of dogs have enriched her life.
Essentials for Indoor Cat Happiness – Jackson Galaxy’s smart recommendations to make your cat happy indoors (and also includes harness training to bring your cat outdoors safely); an episode on Galaxy’s YouTube channel.
Dawn Burke and Don Burke, StoryCorps – Dawn was introduced to a friend’s pet rat, which prompted her to adopt her rat, Theresala. Their love for rats led to creating the first rat sanctuary (72 rats) in the U.S. Originally aired October 4, 2013, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
Family Spirals® 