Assignment 3 STANCE ESSAY SEPT 11

Assignment #3: “Stance Essay” Lessie Frazier ENG 115- English Composition Professor Rodney Baker Professor Dorothy Hoerr September 11, 2017  Treating Animals Humanely The objective of this project is to research the humane treatment of animals in the way billions of farm animals and aquatic animals are killed every year for clothes, used for human consumption, and animals used as assistants (Smith, 2013). Many experts contend that animals, like humans, have rights that should be honored and protected by all people. Together, we as animal advocates can protect animals from cruelty and abuse (Smith, 2013). We should treat animals humanely because they feed and clothe us, some animals are assistants, and pets are faithful companions. Most people in this country, when they sit down to eat one of the several meals they are likely to enjoy today, will never think about where the protein, vegetables and grains they consume came from how many will take time to consider the efforts that some farmer or rancher took to assure that Americans enjoy an abundant, wholesome supply of food (Smith, 2013)? And how many will think about what a bargain they have on their dining tables? Not many. Not enough. Not nearly enough. March 19 was National Ag Day (Smith, 2013). It was a Labor Day for farmers and ranchers, but without the attention, the fanfare and the holiday associated with the September end-of-summer ritual. For most of the nation, Ag Day went unremarked. Folks went about their business (Smith, 2013). They didn't consider the economic impact those agrarian heroes created, the jobs that come directly and indirectly from producing, processing, transporting and selling food and fiber. They mostly gave no thought to the number of pickup trucks sold in rural America, the tractors, combines, irrigation pipes, fertilizers, seeds, and all the other materials required to keep a farm or ranch productive and communities solvent, schools open and country roads Smith paved (Smith, 2013). We are not, as was many more of us three or four generations back, tied to the land, required to grow our own food and produce cotton or wool for our own clothes (Smith, 2013). That diminution of farmer numbers is one reason why so few people even think about agriculture (Smith, 2013). A significantly, drastically, smaller percentage of our population has even a remote association with a farm today than was the case 100 years ago. Yet we have more and easier access to food. Grocery store aisles are packed with more than just the staples, bread, milk, vegetables and meat; but food items we have never heard of, back 50 years and more (Smith, 2013). We expect all groceries to be available. We expect both abundance and convenience. And we get it; but we don't stop to think about where it came from (Smith, 2013). Can humans make the world a better place for animals (Ebeling, 2016)? "Humans are miserly, uncreative and inhumane to other animals," says Wayne Pacelle, CEO of the Humane Society of the U.S. That's what he concluded after visiting a factory farm in Iowa where six to eight hens were crammed into tiny cages the size of a microwave stacked upon each other eight high, 150,000 hens in one building (Ebeling, 2016). "This is madness! Is this the best we can do as a species?" he said at an event publicizing his new book The Humane Economy: How Innovators and Enlightened Consumers Are Transforming the Lives of Animals (Ebeling, 2016). The industrial exploitation of animals for food is one of the issues he's taken on in his two-decades-plus at the Humane Society (Ebeling, 2016). Last fall McDonald's announced it would switch to 100% cage-free eggs in the U.S. and Canada within 10 years, a move that will impact nearly 8 million hens annually. Pacelle touted the decision as a "watershed moment" in the global movement against extreme confinement of farm animals spearheaded by the Humane Society of the U.S. In 2012, McDonald's announced it would end sow confinement in gestation stalls, vowing not to allow the practice in its supply chain by 2022. Dozens of companies have joined the movement (Ebeling, 2016). While Pacelle talks of the horrors of industrial farms, cosmetic testing, and trophy hunting, he says he aims to celebrate the gains animal advocates have been making. "It's important for the ground troops to feel like we're making progress," he says. His book is a call to clothe, feed and entertain people without victimizing animals (Ebeling, 2016). Sometimes those victories come from enlightened corporate executives, he says. Last year Ringling Brothers ended the use of traveling elephants, once the center of the circus' brand. The CEO of SeaWorld agreed to end captive breeding of orcas and revamp food policies at parks (Ebeling, 2016). Changing the way, we deal with animals comes down to individual action. Pacelle applauded an audience member who has worked to end Canadian seal hunting and close the markets for seal skins. "We want to create new norms and new standards," Pacelle says, adding, "All of us can do little things in our lives to promote a humane economy." Maybe you're not ready to go vegan? Go for meatless Monday, Pacelle (who is a vegan) suggests. Animals help ground people in what Bill Clements (1979) calls the “creativity of now” (p. 21) (Koppel, 2011). Animals don’t “think” about the future and create stories of triumph or suffering for themselves. They “focus” intensely on “the now” by lying in the sun, being petted, or begging for food (Koppel, 2011). Those providing care to elderly adults can let go of tyranny to the future and stay present in the now. People can realistically and strategically plan for future care options without living in anxiety about that future (Koppel, 2011). The practice of awaring with animal companions may not be appropriate in all situations. Many factors such as debilitating physical illness, depression, isolation, racism, classism, and ageism can inhibit the elderly from experiencing sacred blessing in their current circumstances. This study examined the effect of an animal-assisted humane education course on the knowledge of students about caring for dogs physically and psychologically and making informed decisions about dog ownership, including working dogs (Bruce, Feinstein, Kennedy, & Ming, 2015). This collaborative action-research study employed case study design to examine the effect of an eight-week animal-assisted humane education course on the knowledge and skills of four secondary students with visual impairments (Bruce, Feinstein, Kennedy, & Ming, 2015) Two independent raters applied constant comparative analysis for all the following data sources: pre- and postintervention interviews, pre- and postintervention tests, videotaped observations, and field notes. Findings were determined for individual students and the classe (Bruce, Feinstein, Kennedy, & Ming, 2015). The greatest gains made by students included learning how to greet, feed, play with, obtain, and pay for dogs; they also learned about appropriate equipment and the roles of working dogs (Bruce, Feinstein, Kennedy, & Ming, 2015). Effective instructional strategies included assessing prior knowledge and experience with dogs, practicing skills, using tactile techniques, using routines and repetition, and correcting misconceptions. Findings indicate that although students did not master all the knowledge and skills taught in the course, they became more knowledgeable about care and ownership of dogs (Bruce, Feinstein, Kennedy, & Ming, 2015). Limitations of this study are the small sample size and short intervention time. Future research may feature longer intervention periods and make connections between humane education, orientation and mobility, and the core content areas of science and mathematics (Bruce, Feinstein, Kennedy, & Ming, 2015). Students with visual impairments must be provided with experiences with different types of working dogs. Ample time should be given to explore equipment and to practice skills that are essential to responsible care and ownership of dogs (Bruce, Feinstein, Kennedy, & Ming, 2015). Older people often have companion animals, and the significance of animals in human lives should be considered by nurses, particularly in relation to older people’s health, which can be affected by diseases (Johansson, & Jönsson, 2014). The incidence of stroke increases with age and disabilities because of stroke are common (Johansson, & Jönsson, 2014). This study aimed to explore older people’s experiences of living with companion animals after stroke, and their life situation with the animals in relation to the physical, psychological and social aspects of recovery after stroke (Johansson, & Jönsson, 2014). The study was performed using individual interviews approximately 2 years after stroke with 17 participants (10 women and 7 men) aged 62–88 years (Johansson, & Jönsson, 2014). An overarching theme arising from the content analysis was contribution to a meaningful life. This theme was generated from four categories: motivation for physical and psychosocial recovery after stroke; someone to care for who cares for you; animals as family members; and providers of safety and protection (Johansson, & Jönsson, 2014). The main conclusion was that companion animals are experienced as physical and psychosocial contributors to recovery and a meaningful life after stroke (Johansson, & Jönsson, 2014). "He became part of our melded fabric, a tightly woven and inseparable strand in the weave that was us (Shiller, 2009). Just as we had helped shape him into the family pet he would become, he helped shape us as well (Shiller, 2009). He had given us a gift, at once priceless and free. He taught us the art of unqualified love: how to give it, how to accept it. Where there is that, most of the other pieces fall into place" (Grogan, 2005). These poignant words by John Grogan in Marley and Me attest to the magnitude of the human-animal bond (Shiller, 2009). The American Veterinary Medical Association defines this bond as "a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and other animals that is influenced by behaviors that are essential to the health and well-being of both (Shiller, 2009). This includes, but is not limited to, emotional, psychological and physical interactions of people, other animals and the environment" (Ostrowski, 2005). Several currently proposed theories seek to explain this relationship (Shiller, 2009). The most acknowledged is that of Edward Wilson, a renowned biologist (Shiller, 2009). His theory, called "biophilia," maintains that people are biologically programmed for kinship with animals and have a need to incorporate them within their social environment (Shiller, 2009). According to Elizabeth Anderson, author of The Powerful Bond Between People and Pets, this relationship is not just biological, social and psychological; it is also spiritual Shiller, 2009). The foundation for the human-animal bond is based upon love-mutual love (Anderson, 2008). When we decide to bring a pet into our lives, it does not matter whether it is a mixed breed, rescued from a dumpster, or a rare breed that is outrageously expensive and pedigreed (Shiller, 2009). We assume, as a component of this bond, responsibility for our pets to be their guardian and to nurture, entertain and protect them (Shiller, 2009). In 2001, PAWS, an agency dedicated to preserving the human-animal bond during one of the most challenging times in people's lives when they are chronically or terminally ill; was established in Houston, Texas. PAWS, an acronym for Pets Are Wonderful Support, is a volunteer-driven agency. PAWS Houston was the first of its kind in the city and is one of few in the country. According to Mary Ann Enriquez, RN, MSN, CCRN, "Sometimes, there is nothing else we can offer our patients except the unconditional love and comfort of their pet companions" (Kleinpell, 2004). Now, collaborating with an organization such as PAWS Houston, nurses can do just that (Shiller, 2009). The organization is not involved with animal-assisted therapy for achieving specific goals, such as increased mobility (Mullett, 2008). What it does provide is animal-assisted visitation: specifically, visits from patients' pets (Shiller, 2009). In summary, one must consider the humane treatment of animals because they supply us with food and clothes, and animals assist patients with disabilities.  References Ebeling, A. (2016). The Call For a Humane economy. Forbes.Com, 1. Koppel, M. (2011). Companions in Presence: Animal Assistants and Eldercare. Pastoral Psychology, 60(1), 107-115. doi:10.1007/s11089-010-0284-9 Koppel, M. (2011). Companions in Presence: Animal Assistants and Eldercare. Pastoral Psychology, 60(1), 107-115. doi:10.1007/s11089-010-0284-9 Johansson, M., Ahlstròm, G., Jònsson, A. (2014). Living with companion animals after stroke: experiences of older people in community and primary care nursing. British Journal Of Nursing, 19(12), 578-584. doi:10.12968/bjcn.2014.19.12.578 Shiller, J. (2009). Certified to show unconditional love. Reflections On Nursing Leadership, 35(2), 5p. Smith, R. (2013). It’s time to remember those who feed and clothe us. Southeast Farm Press, 40(11), 4-9. TREATING ANIMALS HUMANELY 6 Running head: TREATING ANIMALS HUMANELY 1