Personal Connections Made in the Classroom

Our class was very fortunate to have had guest speakers who offer such amazing insight of experiences in the world of non-human animals. Nicole Larocc of Philly Unleashed took time to come speak with us accompanied by her unbelievably bright Australian Shepard mix Uli. Not only did she talk to us about obedience training with dogs and the most effective and ineffective ways to go about it; she gave us a full demonstration. Just as the essay by Uexküll explains the concept of the Umwelt, Nicole enlightened us on her profession of learning and understanding how dogs perceive things very differently than humans. Her companion Uli was an amazing example and put the measly tricks I have taught my dog back home to shame. It was truly inspiring to see the ways in which she fully understands how to communicate and in a way, manipulate the mind of a dog. She taught us how dogs comprehend and communicate back to humans and that humans could do the same if they take the time to learn the dog and listen to them. 
       In the same week we got to meet Terri Martin who is the head of Temple Cats and Claire Tillman who has an extensive past with animal efforts. Terri Martin has continuously devoted much of her time and money to help save and protect the abundance of stray cats around campus. She personally inspired me to reach out in my own neighborhood off campus in which the streets were the home of a pregnant stray that I had been feeding and become accustomed to. Terri helped me immediately with providing info, a carrier, and some food in order for me to help her in her goal to prevent unwanted strays in North Philadelphia. Unfortunately the cat was father along than I thought and delivered four kittens late last week. Not all is lost though thanks to Terri. Her and I are going to get the kittens checked out by a vet and once they are healthy and ready to leave mom, into a good home. In addition we have found a home for the mom and we will get her spayed. Talk about having friends in high places, and its all thanks to her for coming into speak with us that I made this great connection.
       Claire Tillman now serves as a community outreach educator aiming to educate kids in inner cities the truth about animal ethics and their role in helping the cause. She told us about all of her amazing work with less privileged kids as well as her experiences with them. She talked a bit about Pit bulls and the disposition they have been given as a "breed" that cannot be trusted. Her talk related to me on a very personal level as well as I have a close friend who recently adopted a Pit bull mix from the SPCA. Her name is Lady and she is very stocky with jaws as wide as her body. I'll admit she is intimidating from afar however when close all she wants to do is bask in your love. I was walking her up and down my street over the weekend and there were neighborhood kids messing around on a stoop. As we neared them the majority of the kids squealed and ran into the house; I was shocked. Claire had told us that stereo-typically these dogs are feared as they are only known to be aggressive. These kids were a perfect example of what she told us.
       I reassured them that the only thing Lady could do to them was lick their face off. One 'brave' child came off the stoop and greeted her to show them I knew what I was talking about. As we said goodbye and continued walking, I noticed they were all following us and wanted to pet her. If I had not known about this dog's reputation among city kids, I wouldn't have had this chance to make a difference in their opinion of this misunderstood, amazingly friendly animal.

Lady and I <3