Matching Items (2)
Description
Attitudes toward animal welfare have been evolving in our society as we have developed from early agricultural roots to an increasingly urban and technologically advanced community. However, despite the growing societal appreciation and care for animals in our homes and backyards, veterinarians are still faced with cases of abuse and neglect. Although it may seem obvious for veterinarians, as animal welfare advocates, to confront this dilemma each time they are faced with it, that is not always the case. In order to assess the responsibilities of veterinarians in regard to neglect and abuse, an extensive literature review and analysis was performed and practicing veterinarians were interviewed to determine their attitudes regarding the responsibility to report suspected cases of animal neglect and abuse. Specifically, these interviews focused on such topics as the educational background of the practitioners, how empathy impacts their perception of animal welfare, their relationship with law enforcement agencies, and related questions. The study demonstrated that the most prominent factor in a veterinarian's understanding of violations of animal welfare stems from their educational background. Therefore, it is recommended that veterinary medicine programs alter their curricula to emphasize animal welfare training and the obligation of veterinarians to report suspected cases of neglect and abuse.
ContributorsMichael, Allison Therese (Author) / Minteer, Ben (Thesis director) / Ellison, Karin (Committee member) / DeNardo, Dale (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2013-12
Description
A common pattern between COVID-19 and many notable outbreaks is the origin having been a zoonotic infection. To prevent future pandemics and mitigate the spread of diseases, it is important to recognize the source of many infectious outbreaks: animal use and exploitation. Many individuals do not believe the exploitation of animals has any effect on human life, yet the global death toll from COVID-19, having now surpassed six million individuals, and the mortalities from past zoonotic outbreaks indicates otherwise. The increasing demand for animal protein continues to drive the emergence of zoonoses as animal agriculture systems have intensified their production and caused severe damages to global ecosystems. Animal products being widely viewed as a "necessity" has threatened the safety and health of agricultural workers. In addition to the zoonotic threats posed by animal consumption, it also increases the risk for developing chronic illnesses, which in turn makes an individual more susceptible to infections. Implementation of a plant-based diet would mitigate the spread of zoonoses, reverse the damages on global ecosystems, and overall improve global health.
ContributorsPalo, Elsa Elizabeth (Author) / Barca, Lisa (Thesis director) / Drost, Jennifer (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2022-05