Dr. Boris Levinson (1907-1984), a psychologist, reportedly coined the term "pet therapy" in 1964. However, Levinson's initiative was criticized by his colleagues. Thirteen years later, the Delta Society, founded by a group of veterinarians and a psychiatrist in 1977 (now doing business as Pet Partners),...
Around 1990, the Delta Society (now Pet Partners – an organization supporting animal-assisted activities and therapy) held its annual meeting in New Jersey. During one of the lunchtime sessions, five Jingles Awards were issued to five human-animal teams representing different areas of human-animal cooperation. The...
In 1991, DC veterinarian Earl Strimple published an article in the Journal of the Veterinary Medical Association (Volume 199(2):206-208) describing the impact of Maggie, a small Yorkshire Terrier, on Joe, the sexton at Dr. Strimple's church, Maggie was the companion of the minister at the...
Animal agriculture underwent significant changes before and after World War II, evolving into a more intensive operation. During this transition, farming animals, primarily chickens and pigs, shifted away from pasture-based systems. Instead, these animals were confined within buildings for their entire lives. With animals housed at...
In 2007, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) produced a report on Toxicology Testing in the 21st Century at the request of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The goal was to review scientific advancements and outline the future of toxicology testing for chemicals in the...
Cat management in the United States often sparks intense debates among animal protection advocates. One notable example occurred at a conference on outdoor cat management held in a hotel near Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C., toward the end of the 20th century. The discussions among...
As a boy, I was fascinated by tales of the Giant squid, *Architeuthus dux*, that inhabit the ocean's depths. These creatures are challenging to find and observe, and much of what we know about them comes from studies of squid cadavers, body parts recovered from...
A year ago, in May 2024, Tales of WellBeing included an article about dog longevity, which concerns many of us who live with canine companions. The article celebrated the 15th birthday of Pukka, a Labrador residing with his owner, Ted Kerasote, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming....
In the early twentieth century, medical researchers and entrepreneurs began searching for substances that could kill pathogenic microorganisms—such as bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses—while leaving the infected host unharmed. Paul Ehrlich, a German scientist, coined the term "magic bullet" to describe these substances. He demonstrated...
Polynesian explorers were the first humans to reach the islands now known as New Zealand (or Aotearoa) approximately 700 years ago. Pollen and charcoal records show that over 80% of the country was once covered in dense forests before human arrival. However, today, forest cover...
