University program explores human animal bond across careers
An undergraduate certificate program at the University of Kentucky is offering students a new way to understand the strong connection between humans and animals. Open to students from all majors, the Companion Animal Studies program focuses on how animals and people interact and support each other in society.
The program includes four main courses that explore topics such as animals in society, care for companion and working animals, hands-on learning experiences, and advanced discussions. Students also complete guided electives to earn their certificate. These courses go beyond basic animal care and examine the broader role animals play in human life.
Through this program, students study important issues like ethical decisions, animal management practices, and real-world challenges. They also work on projects that encourage research, creativity, and critical thinking. This helps them better understand how human and animal relationships affect communities.
“The Companion Animal Studies program aims to go above and beyond just animal care, production and husbandry, and embrace all roles that animals play in our society and with humans,” said Kristine Urschel, assistant dean for instruction at Martin-Gatton CAFE and instructor in the Caring for Companion and Working Animals course (CAS 302).
“Previously, there wasn’t a program that emphasized this interrelationship between all our human-related initiatives and existing animal programs at the University of Kentucky. In this program, we are going beyond just talking about how we care for animals and humans in isolation, but more about how they interact and support each other,” said Urschel
Students from different academic backgrounds benefit from the program. For example, engineering and design students learn how to consider both human and animal needs when planning spaces and infrastructure. By interacting with peers from various fields, they improve communication skills and gain new perspectives.
“Almost everyone has had a formative experience with animals before they get to this class, and that experience is meaningful to them,” said Roger Brown, associate professor of agricultural economics and instructor in the Animals and Society course (CAS 301). “In this program, students can take that experience and now study, make sense of it and fuel new ideas over time. The questions that are sometimes the most meaningful often take the longest to answer.”
Class discussions and projects often focus on real-life situations, such as animal welfare concerns or land use decisions. These activities encourage students to think deeply and form their own opinions. The program supports open discussions, where multiple viewpoints are respected.
The certificate can support careers in healthcare, agriculture, social work, animal-assisted therapy, and community planning. It prepares students to think responsibly about both human and animal well-being.
Since its launch, the program has attracted strong student interest, with plans to expand course availability in the future. Students interested in joining can apply through their academic advisors or apply to the Companion Animal Studies program at Martin Gatton CAFE and take part in this unique learning opportunity.
Photo Credit: university-of-kentucky