In this episode we welcome Shannon Riley, who is currently completing her Masters in Anthrozoology at the University of Exeter, to talk to us about her experience gentling mustangs and the current research it inspired. We'll discuss some of the issues with managing wild mustang populations, the language used to categorize the individuals, and how the terms applied can affect their lives directly. See below for some resources to learn more.

Meet the hosts:
Tiamat Warda - www.humanima.de/en | @TiamatWarda
Molly Sumridge - www.mollysumridge.com  | @MollySumridge
Rebecca Madrid - www.rebecca-madrid.com | @RebeccaLMadrid

Mustang stewardship:
- Honest Horses: Wild Horses in the Great Basin by Paula Morin, 2006
- Wild Horse Country: The History, Myth and Future of the Mustang by David Phillips, 2017
- Mustang: The Saga of the Wild Horse in the American West by Deanne Stillman, 2009
- Wild Horses: The Consequences of Doing Nothing by Ben Masters, 2017

Horse-Human Interaction:
- Mustangs and Prisoners: Narratives of Capture and Domestication by Natalie Corinne Hansen, 2011
- Talking About Horses: Control and Freedom in the World of Natural Horsemanship by Lynda Birke, 2008
- Mustangs and Domestic Horses: Examining What We Think We Know About Differences by Karen K. Dalke and Megan J. Olson Hunt, 2017
- At the Threshold of Change: The Inmates and Wild Horses of Canon City, Colorado by Karen Dalke, 2008

Talking Mustangs with Shannon Riley

In this episode we are joined by Dr. Sargon Donabed to discuss the intersection of his research on Indigenous Middle Eastern cultures and Anthrozoology. Dr. Donabed is a Director of the Assyrian Studies Association (ASA) and holds a PhD in Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations and an MSc in Anthrozoology. 

We discuss nonhuman animal populations that have been displaced and separated using the lens of human diaspora, arbitrarily drawn borders, and the concept of "home". Additionally, we consider the factors that lead us to focus on certain animal species or human populations over others, including assigned personhood and the optics of protective action.

Meet the hosts:
Tiamat Warda - www.humanima.de/en | @TiamatWarda
Molly Sumridge - www.mollysumridge.com  | @MollySumridge
Rebecca Madrid - www.rebecca-madrid.com | @RebeccaLMadrid

ASA (Assyrian Studies Association) https://www.assyrianstudiesassociation.org/
*Reforging a forgotten history: Iraq and the Assyrians in the Twentieth Century: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/reforging-a-forgotten-history/40E789C116E3485B9B774BE46569EBEA
*The Assyrian heritage: threads of continuity and influence: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/292782661_The_Assyrian_Heritage_Threads_of_Continuity_and_Influence
*Rethinking nationalism and an appellative conundrum: historiography and politics in Iraq: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14608944.2011.646973?journalCode=cnid20
*Remnants of Heroes: The Assyrian Experience: the Continuity of the Assyrian Heritage from Kharput to New England: https://www.abebooks.com/9780974445076/Remnants-Heroes-Assyrian-Experience-Continuity-097444507X/plp

Discussing Diaspora with Dr. Sargon Donabed

In this episode we discuss some of the varied approaches to entering the field of anthrozology and why we find it so fulfilling and engaging to be a part of this community. We also refer to some well-rounded, introductory reading material that we hope will help listeners determine if anthrozoology may also be the perfect fit for them. Those sources are offered below.  

Anthrozoology is a relatively new, interdisciplinary field that focuses on human and nonhuman animal interactions. It can be unclear what exactly anthrozoology entails and how to get into it, so we hope this episode can help.   

Meet the hosts:
Tiamat Warda - www.humanima.de/en | @TiamatWarda
Molly Sumridge - www.mollysumridge.com  | @MollySumridge
Rebecca Madrid - www.rebecca-madrid.com | @RebeccaLMadrid  

Sources Discussed:
Humans and Other Animals - Samantha Hurn https://www.plutobooks.com/9781849647267/humans-and-other-animals/
Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy - Aubrey Fine https://www.elsevier.com/books/handbook-on-animal-assisted-therapy/fine/978-0-12-381453-1
Animals and Society https://www.animalsandsociety.org

Episode #0 - Getting Into Anthrozoology: Our Origin Stories

In this episode we discuss anthrozoology and cryptozoology with Dr. Margo DeMello. Dr. DeMello is an assistant professor in the Anthrozoology Department at Carroll College and the author of 13 books, including Animals and Society: An Introduction to Human-Animal Studies.

Dr. DeMello has spent 30 years actively involved with the House Rabbit Society, acting as President for 14 years. She has also served as the Program Director of Human-Animal Studies at the Animals & Society Institute for 15 years. You can learn more about her at https://margodemello.com

Meet the hosts:
Tiamat Warda - www.humanima.de/en | @TiamatWarda
Molly Sumridge - www.mollysumridge.com  | @MollySumridge
Rebecca Madrid - www.rebecca-madrid.com | @RebeccaLMadrid

Source Mentioned:
Anthropology and Cryptozoolgy - ed. Samantha Hurn
https://www.routledge.com/Anthropology-and-Cryptozoology-Exploring-Encounters-with-Mysterious-Creatures/Hurn/p/book/9780367595722

Talking Cryptids with Dr. Margo DeMello

In this episode we discuss our experiences living with companion animal species that fall outside what is considered common or traditional. We'll talk about some of the issues with the 'exotic' pet trade, understanding the individual and species specific needs, and the relationships between human and non-human companions. We feature a couple of special guests, a green-cheeked conure named Bifrost and a royal python named Apep.

Meet the hosts:
Tiamat Warda - www.humanima.de/en | @TiamatWarda
Molly Sumridge - www.mollysumridge.com  | @MollySumridge
Rebecca Madrid - www.rebecca-madrid.com | @RebeccaLMadrid

Non-Traditional Companion Animals

The Shifting Lens podcast brings together a team of anthrozoologists critically questioning our narrow, human perspective and seeking to shift the lens through which we view our multi-species world.
***Please visit us on YouTube or Spotify for more episodes***

The Shifting Lens Podcast