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Humanity's Best Friend: A Dog-Centric Approach to Addressing Global Challenges.

Naomi SykesPiers BeirneAlexandra HorowitzIone JonesLinda KalofElinor K KarlssonTammie KingHoward LitwakRobbie A McDonaldLuke John MurphyNeil PembertonDaniel E L PromislowAndrew RowanPeter W StahlJamshid TehraniEric TourignyClive D L WynneEric StraussGreger Larson
Published in: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI (2020)
No other animal has a closer mutualistic relationship with humans than the dog (Canis familiaris). Domesticated from the Eurasian grey wolf (Canis lupus), dogs have evolved alongside humans over millennia in a relationship that has transformed dogs and the environments in which humans and dogs have co-inhabited. The story of the dog is the story of recent humanity, in all its biological and cultural complexity. By exploring human-dog-environment interactions throughout time and space, it is possible not only to understand vital elements of global history, but also to critically assess our present-day relationship with the natural world, and to begin to mitigate future global challenges. In this paper, co-authored by researchers from across the natural and social sciences, arts and humanities, we argue that a dog-centric approach provides a new model for future academic enquiry and engagement with both the public and the global environmental agenda.
Keyphrases
  • healthcare
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  • current status
  • emergency department
  • social media
  • disease activity
  • white matter
  • risk assessment
  • medical students