Workshops
Each year, ISAZ works with committed scholars and educators to provide an assortment of workshops before and after the conference. This year is no different!
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Below are the descriptions, facilitator information, dates, and times for each workshop.
A Brief Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods in Human-Animal Interaction Research​
Lead Facilitators: Dr. Carri Westgarth, Dr. Tamzin Furtado, and Rebecca Smith
Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2022
Time: 9:00 - 13:00 EDT
Registration: Click here to register now!
Cost: £10 ISAZ members; £20 non-members
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The purpose of this workshop is to provide a brief introduction to the role of qualitative research within the study of animal health and welfare related issues and of the impact of animals in societies. Qualitative methods are specifically designed to explore the intricacies of everyday behaviour and social relationships, including with animals, and the reasons why people act in the way they do. They are particularly suited for understanding how people interpret and respond to messaging related to health and welfare (their own or that of their animal). These methods are therefore key to understanding human behaviour, which can subsequently facilitate behaviour change to improve animal wellbeing. As a result, qualitative methods have been successfully used in pragmatic research across the animal sciences, including in exploring the experiences of laboratory animal-handlers; livestock farmers; equestrians; animal tourists; pet owners; veterinarians; dog-handlers, and more.
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Before your pet comes to work: Preparing for successful animal-assisted interventions​
Facilitators: Dr. Taylor Chastain
Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2022
Time: 13:00 - 15:00 EDT
Registration: email taylorc@petpartners.org
Cost: This workshop is free to attend; registration recommended.
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There are many considerations that must be made before you bring your pet to work with you to participate in animal-assisted interventions (AAI). This workshop will explore the steps that prepare the therapy animal, clients, colleagues, and the facility where AAI will take place. We will discuss the documentation that often accompanies these processes and templates that professionals can customize will be provided. Topics to be covered include animal training and welfare, zoonosis and infection prevention, informed consent, facility buy-in, insurance coverage, and more.
The Universal Human-Animal Bond: Using Groundbreaking Research to Improve Animal Welfare and Human Health Around the World
Facilitators: Lindsey Braun and Dr. Oliver Knesl
Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2022
Time: 15:00 - 17:00 EDT
Registration: email lbraun@habri.org
Cost: This workshop is free to attend; registration recommended.
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The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and Zoetis teamed-up to conduct the largest-ever human-animal bond survey, reaching 18,000 dog and cat owners and 1,350 veterinarians across 9 countries and 4 continents. The data provides a detailed understanding of how the human-animal bond is perceived around the world. To more precisely measure the human-animal bond among pet owners, a new scale called the Human Animal Bond Score (HABSCORE) was developed that builds on existing scientifically validated scales. The HABSCORE examines the human-animal bond across four distinct dimensions: attachment 1 , humanization 2 , commitment 3 , and integration 4 . This presentation will provide an in-depth look at the survey findings, which offer strong evidence that pets positively impact their owners’ health. The research also shows how stronger human-animal bonds are connected to clear, measurable increases in veterinary treatment and care for pets around the world. The data also explores the knowledge and training that veterinarians have with respect to the human-animal bond, along with the positive implications of incorporating this knowledge into veterinary practice. Finally, the presentation will discuss strategies for disseminating these results to various audiences, including veterinarians, pet owners and the general
public. The survey findings have the potential to improve health for both people and companion animals, and to support the veterinary profession worldwide. Attendees will be given the opportunity to complete their own HABSCORE as an activity to further gain an understanding of the HABSCORE and to discuss potential future applications of the scale. Attendees will also be asked to discuss and suggest areas for secondary analysis of the survey data and follow-up research. These activities will facilitate greater understanding of the survey methodology, design and help to improve upon the way the human-animal bond is measured and understood on an international level.
No prior knowledge is expected of workshop attendees, although a basic understanding of the human-animal bond and animal care and welfare is encouraged.
The Affective Café - A Peer Support Space for Sharing Affective Impacts of Conducting Anthrozoological Research​
Facilitators: Prof. Samantha Hurn
Date: Sunday, July 10, 2022
Time: 11:00 - 13:00 EDT
Registration: Click here to register now!
Cost: This workshop is free to attend; registration required.
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Dealing with the affective challenges associated with the anthrozoological endeavour, this workshop aims to help anthrozoologists in navigating their own and others’ emotional landscapes. It explores the following question: How do we resolve what we find difficult, complex or uncomfortable during our research as anthrozoologists? As humans concerned with the lives of otherthanhumans, our emotions can become knowledge to inform how we assimilate and analyse our experiences.
This two-hour facilitated workshop is a non-judgmental and supportive space to share and discuss the affective impacts of anthrozoological research. No prior knowledge is required to attend; just a commitment to the ‘safe space agreement’ and a willingness to engage in potentially emotive discussions about affective experience inside anthrozoological research. Participants are welcome who would like to engage in the following: Share their affective anthrozoological experiences Seek peer support Offer support solidarity to others Work towards building a global network of affectively-impacted anthrozoological research peers. The café will be unstructured and user-led and will take place on Zoom, using breakout rooms with groups no larger than 20 people (max. 60 in workshop). Participants will be encouraged and supported to share their experiences, in addition to offering support and attention to the experiences of others. Each group will be facilitated and supported by a member of the EASE group, with relevant experience in the affective impacts of anthrozoological research.