Wallis Annenberg PetSpace Leadership Institute releases e-book highlighting human-dog relationship

Photo courtesy of Wallis Annenberg PetSpace.

The Wallis Annenberg PetSpace Leadership Institute has debuted an e-book entitled Our Canine Connection: The History, Benefits and Future of Human-Dog Interactions. This collection features comprehensive articles covering the state of human-dog interactions and the future of that research.

According to the release,¹ various influential researchers in the human-animal interaction realm contributed to this publication as part of their involvement in the Wallis Annenberg PetSpace Leadership Institute, including Mia Cobb, Alexandra Horowitz, Evan MacLean, Sandra McCune, Cindy Otto, James Serpell, and Clive Wynne, and more.

"Our bond with dogs is undeniable. We saw this underscored during the coronavirus pandemic," said Sandra McCune, visiting professor at the University of Lincoln.

"From a sharp increase in dog ownership to using working dogs to sniff out the COVID-19 virus, the benefits of the human-dog connection have taken center stage. This compilation is a timely examination of our relationship with dogs and urges further exploration of how we can improve the lives of both humans and canines. Equally important, various authors also encourage researchers to consider "both ends of the leash" regarding studies, dog training, and welfare."

The collection delves into the origins of the human-dog relationship, the training, and selection of working dogs, the positive impacts of working and companion dogs on human health, the welfare of working dogs, and methods for enhancing research on domestic canine science.¹

"Furthering our understanding of the human-animal bond is the heart of our mission," said Gabrielle Amster, director at Wallis Annenberg PetSpace, in the release.¹

"We are proud to support the interdisciplinary convening of some of the best minds on the subject and sponsor the publication of this e-book so that others can benefit from these important collaborations. This collection provides innovative ideas on how both humans and canines can mutually benefit from our unique connection,” she added.

The articles were published individually from 2020 to 2021 after the second convening of the Wallis Annenberg PetSpace Leadership Institute in March 2020. The retreat offered interdisciplinary collaboration among renowned and emerging researchers, and the papers highlight core topics regarding canine science discussed during this retreat.

The e-book is available as a free download through the peer-reviewed journal, Frontiers in Veterinary Science.

Reference

Annenberg PetSpace Leadership Institute explores the history and future of the human-dog relationship on National Pet Day. News release. Wallis Annenberg PetSpace. April 11, 2022. Accessed April 12, 2022. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/annenberg-petspace-leadership-institute-explores-the-history-and-future-of-the-human-dog-relationship-on-national-pet-day-301522997.html