Club Advising
I am proud to be the club advisor for Human-Animal Interactions Club (HAIC)! Our purpose is to enlighten students about the complex and varying relationships that exist between humans and animals under the topics of: Conservation, Animal Welfare and Behavior, Therapy, and Companionship. The club is educational with hands-on experiences and active discussion. The club also promotes closer relationships between students and faculty members.
Human-Animal Interactions Minor Advisor
I currently serve as the advisor for the department’s Human-Animal Interactions minor. This minor is open to all non-Animal Sciences majors. Animal Science majors can declare this minor as a 2nd minor.
Teaching
I have always had a passion for teaching, travel, and animals. My role as Lecturer has afforded me the opportunity to simultaneously pursue all three! I strive to bring this passion, as well as knowledge from my research and studies to each class. My teaching appointment includes:
ANIM SCI 2367 Animals in Society: This course fulfills the university’s 2nd writing GE requirement and is offered autumn, spring, and summer semesters! Students in this course examine the various roles animals play in our societies and discover the evolutionary history of our current human-animal relationships.
ANIM SCI 2400.01 Equine Studies in Europe: offered spring semester – even numbered years (co-instructor with Dr. Kim Cole). This course is a co-requisite for the study abroad ANIM SCI 3797.01 Equine Studies in Europe course (see below). It is only open to students traveling on the study abroad.
ANIM SCI 2400.05 Human and Animal Interactions: offered autumn semesters (co-instructor with Dr. Steve Moeller). This course examines the gamut of human-animal interactions, including, but not limited to animals used in research, to food & fiber production, to entertainment, to conservation, to labor is explored. Field trips (including 3 non-home football game Saturdays) typically include: Pilot Dogs, County Dog Shelter, The Wilds, The Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, Willow-O-Wood sheep farm, OARDC beef research facility, and Buckeye Ranch.
ANIM SCI 3600/3600E Global Food & Agriculture: offered spring semesters. Throughout the course we examine how history, culture, geography, economics, and politics influence global food and agriculture with a focus on animal production. We examine issues such as famine, aid, trade, limited resources, conflict, and many more, all within the framework of food and agriculture. Multiple teaching methods are employed to explore these topics.
ANIM SCI 5000 Human Dimensions in Animal Sciences. This course explores the human psychological traits that influence our relationships with animals. Students then use this new understanding to determine best practices for disseminating information regarding these relationships.
ANIM SCI 5400.01/5400.02 Southern African Animals. A two-part series of courses examining the physiology, behavior, and human interactions with various animals found in Southern Africa, establishing an appreciation of the daily struggles of animals and people in this geographic area.
Education Abroad Coordinator/Instructor
Additionally, I serve as the department’s education abroad coordinator. I have personally traveled with more than 300 students to various places, including Ireland, New Zealand, Chile, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, and South Africa! Below are the education abroad courses that I travel with as a co-instructor:
ANIM SCI 3797.01 Equine Studies in Europe: offered spring semester – even numbered years (co-instructor with Dr. Kim Cole). This program examines multiple facets of the equine industry and equine breeds in different areas of Europe. Offered every even-year spring break!
ANIM SCI 3797.03 Human and Animal Interactions: offered winter break (co-instructor with Dr. Steve Moeller). This course is a comparative study to interactions examined during the pre-requisite course, ANIM SCI 2400.05 (see above). This course rotates locations on a three-year cycle.
ANIM SCI 5797.05 Exotic Animal Behavior and Welfare: offered May every year (co-instructor with Dr. Moeller). This course is an opportunity to travel to South Africa to explore exotic animal behavior in natural settings. Management and welfare will also be a focus. Students will visit locations such as Kruger Park, a private game reserve, The Elephant Sanctuary, Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre, and more!
