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Lectures to celebrate human-animal bond
MISSISSIPPI STATE – Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine has planned a celebration in October to examine the special relationship between humans and animals.
The Human-Animal Bond Lecture Series will explore various facets of this relationship with the goal of raising awareness of the bonds between humans and companion animals, production animals and wildlife. Event organizers hope to educate and entertain audiences with information on the bond that exists between humans and animals.
A lunchtime lecture series is planned for Oct. 25-28. The highlight of the week is the keynote address at 7 p.m. Oct. 28 by Dr. Michael Hutchins, director and CEO of The Wildlife Society, an organization committed to developing a world where humans and wildlife coexist.
“Dr. Hutchins’ work has made a significant impact in wildlife management and conservation,” said Dr. Ben Nabors, a CVM clinical instructor and an organizer of the Human-Animal Bond Lecture Series.
Hutchins is a nationally recognized expert, consultant, author and speaker on conservation and wildlife. His keynote address is titled “Adventures at the Human-Wildlife Interface.”
MSU specialists Dr. Carla Huston and Chris Magee will speak from noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 25 on “Exploring our bond with wildlife: Response to the 2010 Gulf oil spill.” From noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 26, Dr. Nina Von Keyserlingk will speak on the scientific assessment of animal welfare. Dr. Regina Brotherton will speak of the role of the human-animal bond in child development on Oct. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Hutchins will conclude the lunchtime lecture series from noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 28 when he discusses “The functions of professional and scientific societies: The Wildlife Society as an example.”
In conjunction with the week’s lecture opportunities, MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine will conduct a children’s art contest and a raffle, with proceeds supporting the Humane Ethics and Animal Welfare Program. The lecture series also is sponsoring an educational grant with the Starkville School District.
The event is sponsored by the Nestle’ Purina Co. Each lunchtime seminar will be held in MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. More details are available at http://www.cvm.msstate.edu/hab.html.
