This dissertation is a contribution to the ethnography of contemporary indigenous reindeer pastoralism in Norway: specifically, to the study of the neglected fields of reindeer killing and slaughtering practice. Its central contention is that in recent decades, the proliferation of human powers vested in the conduct of reindeer slaughter has created new conditions for practice, placing the identities of reindeer and herders at stake in new and still only dimly conceptualized ways. By exploring these, the dissertation aims to broaden existing debates concerning the so-called modernization of pastoral practice in Norway, drawing attention to some of its neglected aspects and inscribing them in a new register. Two principal strands inform the theoretical framework: one, approaches to the social study of knowledge that emphasise its practical, non-verbal and material aspects; and two, Foucauldian concepts of biopower as these may or may not be applicable to the human management of animal life. Individual chapters examine, in turn: the local politics of space on the Varanger peninsula, focusing particularly on links between the spatial management and the killing of reindeer; the practices and social relations of slaughter as it is conducted at the round-up corral; the social effects of the introduction of slaughterhouses, and of the regime of which they form a part; controversies surrounding specific slaughtering techniques and instruments, particularly the curved knife; and the politics of animal welfare discourse and practices in their application to reindeer herding. Finally, using the figure of animal sacrifice as a guiding trope, the concluding chapter attempts to situate some key aspects of the modernization of reindeer slaughter in relation to the operation of broader sacrificial economies that regulate the destruction of life at aggregate or populational levels.

This thesis examines how the ethics of caring for pedigree dogs differ in the contexts of dog showing and veterinary practice. By highlighting conflicts around the shared use of ‘ordinary language’, I show how tensions between show‐world and veterinary perspectives relate to divergent understandings of ‘health’. Canine bodies speak to vets and breeders in conceptually different ways, so much so that breed‐specific features can be considered ‘perfect’ in the show‐ring yet ‘pathological’ in the veterinary clinic. Developing the emergent anthropological perspective that care is both a moral and an embodied practice, I argue that the qualities of moral virtue and aesthetic virtu are inextricably linked in the care practices by which breeders aim to produce and sustain canine bodies in their idealised forms. Also fundamental to show‐world notions of care is the understanding that care for dog and care for breed are one and the same. In sharp contrast, veterinary practice attends to dogs as individuals rather than members of breeds. Here, I examine how breeders and vets respond to the multiple and conflicting demands of caring for pedigree dogs in the course of encounters often fraught with unresolved tension. Asking how seemingly irreconcilable notions of what counts as good health play out in these negotiations, I argue that care can depend on the ability to transcend – or at least overlook – different ethical orientations. In practice, I argue that negotiations between breeders and vets are often non‐verbal and based on a mutual understanding that the ability to work together in performing care relies not only on clear communication but, at times, on a knowing silence. Under ever‐increasing pressure to engage with veterinary notions of health, many show‐breeders now deem ignorance of veterinary knowledge – and silence in the face of disease – ethically virtuous. I therefore conclude that deliberate silence and selective ignorance enable breeders and vets to temporarily reconcile their different understandings of what is good, thus allowing both parties to meet their respective responsibilities of care.

Orientador: Mateus José Rodrigues Paranhos da Costa / Coorientador: Linda Jane Keeling / Banca: Elisabeth Criscuolo Urbinati / Banca: Antônio Sérgio Ferraudo / Banca: Gelson Genaro / Banca: Luciandra Macedo de Toledo / Resumo: Pesquisas com ratos e humanos têm comprovado que o estímulo tátil é um importante componente no desenvolvimento físico e psicológico dos filhotes. Os estudos com animais de produção são em menor número, e exploram pouco o potencial desta tecnologia como moduladora do temperamento e crescimento corporal. Na presente pesquisa, a estimulação tátil foi testada em filhotes neonatos de ovinos e suínos sob os efeitos no seu comportamento, na qualidade das interações entre humano e animais e desenvolvimento corporal ao longo do tempo. O estímulo foi aplicado diariamente nos cordeiros do grupo estimulado por 5 minutos, no experimento 1 do 1º ao 60º dia e no experimento 2 do 1º ao 21º dia de vida. Os cordeiros foram pesados posteriormente aos 30 e 60 dias de vida e os leitões na 5ª, 9ª e 12ª semana de vida. A cada sessão de estimulação, o comportamento das ovelhas e cordeiros foi registrado continuamente, e a reação ao estímulo controlada ao longo do tempo. Os leitões foram divididos entre diferentes tratamentos; H: todos da ninhada receberam o estímulo tátil, NH: nenhum animal da ninhada recebeu estímulo tátil, 50/50H: metade da ninhada que recebeu estímulo tátil, 50/50NH: metade que não recebeu estímulo tátil. Os leitões estimulados (H e 50/50H) experimentaram o estímulo por 2 minutos diários, do 5º ao 35º dia de vida. Eles foram avaliados individualmente, e a evolução da reação ao estímulo medida através de uma escala que variava de 1 a 4 (menos reativo para mais reativo). Com 4 semanas de idade, os leitões foram submetidos a um teste de aproximação humana, com uma pessoa familiar e outra não-familiar, dividido em 3 fases, 1) fase de isolamento, 2) fase passiva humana, 3) fase ativa humana. A atividade dos leitões e vocalizações foram medidas no teste. Todos os animais foram pesados ao nascer, na 5ª, 9ª e 12ª semana de vida... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Previous research with rats and humans have shown that tactile stimulation is an important component in the physical and psychological development of neonates. Fewer studies had been developed with farm animals, especially those who explore the potential of this technology as a modulator of temperament and body development. In the present study, the tactile stimulation was tested in newborn lambs and piglets upon the effects on their behavior, in the human-animal interactions and body development over time. The stimulus was applied daily in lambs (stimulated group) for 5 minutes in experiment 1 from the 1st to the 60th day and in experiment 2 from the 1st to the 21th day of life. The lambs were weighed at birth, at 30 and 60 days old. In each stimulation session, the behavior of the dams and lambs was recorded continuously, and reaction to stimuli controlled over time. The piglets were divided between different treatments, H: all the litter received the tactile stimulus, NH: no animal received tactile stimulation, 50/50H: half the litter received tactile stimulation, 50/50NH: half of the litter did not receive tactile stimulation. The stimulated piglets (H and 50/50H) experienced the stimulus for 2 minutes daily, from 5th to 35th day of life. The piglets were also evaluated individually, and the evolution of their reaction to the stimulus measured using a scale that ranged from 1 to 4 (least reactive to most reactive). With 4 weeks of age, piglets were subjected to a human approach test, with a familiar and an unfamiliar person, divided into 3 phases, 1) isolation phase, 2) stationary human, 3) moving human. Piglets' acitivity and vocalisations were measured in the test. The animals were weighted at birth and at 5th, 9th and 12th week of life. Multivariate factor analyzes were conducted to assess associations between behavior and performance variables... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Despite a growing increase in popularity of human-animal interaction research, there remains a lack of understanding of the reasons why children are cruel to animals and whether early intervention is effective in preventing cruelty and neglect. The aims of this thesis were to deepen our understanding of the psychology of child-animal interactions, and to test whether targeted educational interventions improve the mechanisms which underlie these interactions. A review of the literature found that current research is heavily biased towards the positive impact of animals, identifying a need for more research into the complex web of psychological factors that impact these relationships. The systematic review included in this thesis provides the first narrative meta-synthesis of empirical research on the psychological risk factors for childhood animal cruelty and highlights a decrease in publications over more recent years, as well as a lack of high quality research. Studies have largely overlooked the fact that most cruelty in childhood is unmotivated and accidental and so further research is essential to understand how to prevent different types of childhood animal cruelty. Three studies investigated the fundamental mechanisms that underlie child-animal interactions, focusing on attachment to pets, beliefs about animal minds, and attitudes towards animal cruelty. These studies highlighted the importance of teaching children about animal sentience through education, and that educational interventions should focus on preventing unmotivated cruelty and neglect in the general population. Animal welfare education aims to promote positive relationships between children and animals, thus preventing cruelty. However, few scientific evaluations of these programs exist. This thesis evaluates a cruelty prevention education programme, 'Prevention through Education', developed by the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Knowledge, attachment to pets, attitudes towards animals, attitudes towards animal cruelty, compassion towards animals, reported humane behaviour, and beliefs about animal minds were assessed at pre-test, post-test, and delayed post-test using a self-report questionnaire, comparing test schools to control schools. The questionnaire was administered to 1,217 Scottish children aged 6 to 13 years. The results found that cognitive factors were influenced by the intervention, but affective factors were more resistant to change. A novel cruelty prevention iPad game that was theoretically driven and evidence based, was designed, developed and evaluated. The evaluation involved a pre-test, post-test, test-control design using a self-report questionnaire with 184 primary-school children in Scotland, UK. The results indicated a positive impact of the game on increasing knowledge about animal welfare needs and appropriate and safe behaviour towards pets, increasing children's beliefs about pet minds, and decreasing acceptance of cruelty to pets. The intervention had no impact on compassion. This study demonstrates the potential of developing interactive iPad games to promote cognitive dimensions of positive child-animal interactions. This thesis highlights the importance of evidence-based animal welfare education for early prevention of animal cruelty, and the potential of computer game-based learning to promote positive child-animal interactions. This thesis further addresses major gaps in psychological research and deepens our understanding of how to prevent animal cruelty and neglect. The findings have implications for practice and policy and will impact upon the educational strategies of organisations wishing to develop early prevention strategies.

The poems in A Rat-Shaped Tear consider wide-ranging ideas of otherness using character and voice. Through misdirection, understatement and unexpected imagery I confront ideas of animal and female otherness in playful ways as a means of subverting traditional impressions of both. The othering effects of grief are also examined in poems that reflect on bereavement and mortality. Human-animal interaction is used to further explore the effects of death and disappointment, though overtones of cartoonish extravagance, dark humour and the surreal temper the more serious themes of loss, disillusionment and loneliness that recur within the collection. In the accompanying thesis, I focus on the work of three poets - D.H Lawrence, Marianne Moore and Elizabeth Bishop - each of whom confront animal otherness in their work. Through close examinations of their individual works, I explore the differences in approach to human-animal interaction, and the ways in which these poets draw meaning from animal otherness. It is suggested that although they engage with the concept using varied poetic techniques, they are drawn together by the intimations of spiritual transcendence that permeate each of their animal poetics.

Nineteenth-Century Pets and the Politics of Touch examines texts of the era in which both humans and animals find empowerment at the point of physical encounter. I challenge contemporary perceptions of human-pet relationships as sweetly affectionate by focusing on touch. I uncover an earlier interest in the close reciprocal relationships between human and nonhuman animals, arguing that these nineteenth-century thinkers presented what I call a “politics of touch,” in which intimate and often jarring physical encounters allow for mutuality and autonomy. I first turn to Charlotte Brontë’s Shirley (1849) and protective violence, a condoned ferocity that frequently unites and guards pet and pet keeper against unwanted amorous intrusions, while also showcasing animal agency and the possibility of deviation from the pet keeper’s wishes. Brontë’s animals simultaneously preserve and rework the traditional form of the marriage plot, allowing for powerful animal-centric possibilities. In chapter 2, I analyze the affective maternal and erotic bonds between women and their pets in Olive Schreiner’s novels. While this touch was frequently seen by both protofeminists and people antagonistic to women’s rights as a cause for disdain because affection was supposedly misplaced, it is a crucial part of Schreiner’s feminist project in that it provides forms of maternity outside of the socially mandated wifehood and motherhood that Schreiner so resents for stripping women of their autonomy. For chapter 3, I seek to complicate readings of Count Fosco, the compelling villain of Wilkie Collins’s The Woman in White (1860), to show the disquieting sympathy that privileges odd women and animals. Heeding Count Fosco shows that valuable sympathy is not a pretty picture of a lovely woman walking with her purebred dog, but rather the excessively grotesque images of an unattractive woman holding a dying dog in her arms and mice and birds erotically clamoring over a fat man’s body. The final chapter considers the violent sympathetic touch evidenced in the practice of mercifully killing grieving dogs in Frances Power Cobbe’s animal advocacy texts. I argue that Cobbe’s schema recognizes gender fluidity as she posits a feminized animal grief marked by excess, while she concurrently masculinizes human sympathy by making it violent through mercy killings that complicate our accepted understandings of nineteenth-century sentiment. In contrast to other scholars of nineteenth-century animal studies who look at how humans understand and treat animals, my focus on the reciprocity of human-animal touch keeps animals at the center of my analysis. I argue that nineteenth-century sympathetic and sentimental texts, often dismissed as trite or as creating distance between the sympathizing subject and object of sympathy, demonstrate theoretical and political complexity through representations of shockingly intimate touch. In doing so, Victorian writers anticipated and even transcended recent theoretical conversations in the field of feminist animal studies.

Animal‑Assisted Intervention (AAI) is used to significantly reduce pain, lower blood pressure, decrease anxiety, and help ease depression in people with a range of health problems; however, it is not readily used in the hospital setting. Research involving the Human‑Animal Bond (HAB) is well established, yet most social workers receive no special training or coursework about this topic as it applies to working with patients or consumers. This study sought to understand the beliefs about AAI among medical social workers in healthcare settings in order to gauge what knowledge and degree of exposure they may have had to AAI. Eighteen randomly selected social workers, holding MSW, ASW, LMSW or LCSW credentials, employed from 6 months to 26 years in hospital or cancer clinic settings across the United States were interviewed by phone, recorded, and their comments transcribed. Nine specific themes were identified. Fifteen of the 18 medical social workers had no formal training, workshop or class discussion during undergraduate or graduate school training. No one had any on the job training, unless they purposefully sought it out, as three did. All participants agreed that they would like to know more about AAI to incorporate into their workplace in order to better inform patients, doctors, nurses and staff about the benefits of animals as a natural healing modality.

Our lives would not be what they are today without animals. From the food we eat, to the clothes we wear, animals provide tangible evidence of their importance every day. But more than that, animals have shaped who we are and what we believe. Often in ways we don't see. That's what inspired me to write Being Human. This work began as an examination of how humans have altered animals to better match our imaginations and ideals, and too, the way these animals have irrecoverably altered how we live and look at the world. Consider, for example, that before they became physically useful to us in providing meat or skills or companionship, animals were central figures in our stories, mythologies, and religions. All the while, of course, these animals remained both ignorant and at the mercy of whatever we imagined--or needed--them to be. And what does all of this say about us? What can we learn about ourselves from looking at animals, and more specifically, looking at the way we treat them? In a society where animal flesh comes to us freshly packed and cleanly saran-wrapped, and pets are treated as members of our families, we tend to look at animals as one thing or another. A farm pig is not a companion animal, any more than a cat is a meal-in-waiting. At least not in our culture. We generally see what's convenient or desirable and when things get messy or complicated, we tend to look away. In so doing, we miss the opportunity to clearly see who we really are, what we're capable of, and what, if anything, we might want to change as a result. I chose four specific animals that show us different sides of ourselves. These beings are both familiar and strange, part of our everyday lives but often only found on the periphery. Each animal symbolizes one of four categories: food, pest, worker and pet. And each connects to a human need: pigs with consumption, pigeons with communication, horses with control and cats with companionship. They are arranged in this order to reflect the deepening complexity of their respective human needs--from the simplest, the need to eat, to the most complex, the need for companionship. (Arguably, control can be considered the most complex, however I chose companionship as the culminating need because it inherently involves all of the other three.) I hope if I accomplish only one thing, it is this: after reading, you see these animals--and your relationship to them--a little bit differently than before.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are currently more than 60 million pet dogs in the United States. This is an increase of nearly eighteen percent since 1991, coinciding with a growing area of research on human’s relationships with companion animals and companion animals’ place in society. For years dogs have been thought of as “man’s best friend” because of their loyalty and faithfulness. The increasing popularity of activities such as canine daycare and puppy school suggests that dogs have become more than a best friend to some and even an integral part of the American family unit. The bond and emotional connection between humans and canines is a unique relationship, yet the depth of that relationship is not fully understood academically. In order to contribute to our understanding of this special bond, I conducted seven in-depth interviews with canine companions. My research allowed me to explore how contemporary Americans understand their relationship with their companion dogs. Not only was I able to shed more light on how people think about and treat their canine companions, but I also investigated what benefits are reaped from relationships with dogs. Based on my informants’ reflections and stories, it became clear that their canines were more than just pets. The people in my study described dogs as their best friends, babies and even sons. My interviewees described canine companions who are active participants in their families and in human social life in general. Those who hope to understand this life cannot afford to ignore the canine companion’s changing and important contributions to society.

The Goose at Goldie's Milk Bar is a modern literary fairy tale written in the form of a novel for adult readers. Set in the fictional Australian small country town of Baxters Creek, it tells the story of Goldie Sullivan, an elderly former milk bar proprietor who has an affair with a gigantic cognisant gander. Goldie lives out the back of the town's old milk bar, hiding from the surrounding narrow-minded community, until late one night she witnesses a bolt of lightning strike the bell tower on the nearby church. When she goes to investigate, Goldie finds the body of a large bird buried in the debris and, believing it is an omen, she carries the half-dead bird home on her back. As she rehabilitates the bird, Goldie discovers there is more to the feathered creature than she first thought. The bird, a giant gander blown off course and struck down in the middle of migration, reveals an advanced awareness of humanity and the profound ability to comprehend the sorrow in Goldie's life. Through a shared appreciation of jazz music, Goldie and the goose learn to communicate and a close friendship ensues. Goldie teaches the goose to dance, the pair share baths and the goose moves into Goldie's bedroom. Before too long, Goldie finds herself in the midst of a most indecent affair. Goldie's relationship with the gander unfolds against a backdrop of other unconventional relationships. Kevin Dwyer, the new reporter in town finds himself drawn to the shire maintenance worker, Travis Handley. Real estate agent Alexander Bourke has taken Lynne Fontaine, the chef at the local Chinese restaurant, as his oriental mistress, and recently windowed farmer, Mary Peddley, sets tongues wagging with the one-legged publican, Jack Diamond. The novel uses the human animal narrative to explore the premise that fate is driven by unseen, sometimes magical forces that manifest in inexplicable ways to reveal the hidden truths of people. The writing of the novel has been supported by research conducted for an exegesis titled, The Nature of Human Animal Relationships in Three Modern Literary Fairy Tales. The exegesis identifies and discusses the nature of the central human animal relationships in three novels: Yann Martel's Life of Pi, Peter Hoeg's Woman and the Ape and the writing project, The Goose at Goldie's Milk Bar. The exegesis identifies and discusses the roles and functions the human and animal characters perform in the three novels through a comparative analysis of the narrative theories of early Russian Structuralist, Vladimir Propp. The exegesis also identifies and discusses the types of transformation the human and animal characters undergo, and conducts a comparative analysis of the theories of English academic and fairy tale historian, Jack Zipes. Finally, the exegesis analyses and discusses the multi-dimensional nature of the bonds formed by the human and animal characters and demonstrates how writers of modern literary fairy tales seek to awaken the reader to the possibilities of relationships with animals beyond usual human understanding or experience.