Editorial

MNAWF Executive Committee 2002/2004

Poster for Education & Awareness

Lawatan ke Ladang Ostrich

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Pretty Maids All In A Row

Public Seminar Human – Animal Interaction: The Bond

Public Seminar
Human – Animal Interaction: The Bond

FINALLY! Oops, excuse me for shouting. But, it is SO very refreshing to hear and see animals being increasingly recognized as being an integral part of the growth and development of human beings, as well as society.

In his opening address of the seminar on 'Human-Animal Interaction: The Bond’, Dato’ Dr Mohd. Nordin Mohd. Nor, Chairman of MNAWF, stressed that an integral part of Vision 2020 – and becoming a developed nation – is the practice of being a caring society to all living beings. He reminded the audience that Malaysian Laws provide legal protection for all animals in the country, and that no one has the right to mishandle or mistreat them. There are legal penalties to face.

A recurring thread in the visual as well as spoken presentations of the speakers was, that interaction with animals results in the psychological and emotional involvement of humans, and thus improves their personal development. Interacting with animals develops one’s character.

Ms. Anneleise Smillie, of Animals Asia Foundation, Hong Kong, spoke of and showed a video on their work, and the 'Dr. Dog’ program for hospitalized patients, the disabled, the elderly, and within orphanages too. All of these needy persons responded positively to visits from pets, and increased their personal cheer ratings. Their work has made good inroads into a society that isn’t always known for pet care. Are we in Malaysia also ready to benefit from something similar?

Sr Pauline Quinn of 'Pathways to Hope’ in the United States, described how specially chosen dogs are trained to help the handicapped, and also to alert sufferers of epilepsy of an impending attack. She showed a very moving video of how prisoners are allowed to engage in training dogs to assist the handicapped – the video also showcased how prisoners without parole testify to discovering new meaning to their lives through this activity. One hard core criminal said “I know that I can’t undo what I have done, but at least this gives me a way of giving something positive back to society.” This gives the rehabilitation of convicted criminals or social outcasts a whole new meaning, doesn’t it? Do you know of a rehab center which would like to adopt a pet?

The next speaker was Malaysian Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Teoh Hsien-Jin, who brought tears to several people’s eyes during his Q&A session. His topic was 'Coping with Grief from Loss/Death of a pet’ obviously touching a sore spot in the lives of many who were present. They were loathe to allow him to stop responding to questions when his allocated time ended. He explained that learning to relate to the passing on of animals corresponds with learning to cope realistically with other natural situations in life — another facet of personality development.

The last speaker was Dr. Gen Kato, a veterinary doctor with the Japanese Hospital Association, Japan. His well substantiated topic was 'Animal-Human Bond — its application in Education, Welfare and Medicine’, and he gave concrete examples throughout history that humans cannot survive without animals. Dr Kato also spoke on the necessity of basic veterinary education in primary schools to develop the character of children during their formative years. He pointed out that when children learn something before 10 years of age, it becomes imprinted in their minds and personal values, thus fostering the evolution of a caring society. Would YOU like to help in some way to help schoolchildren to become involved with caring for pets?

It’s interesting that the seminar on 25^th August began as well as ended with reminders of the available legal clout and scientific facts that having compassion and caring for animals and other forms of life is a critical and integral part of our becoming a caring society and a developed nation. The next step is ours. In what ways are we willing to respond?

Evelyn Samuel
December 2002