Lecture explores link between human violence and animal abuse

Animals hold a special meaning for many people. Some species, such as cats and dogs, are even considered members of the family. The next Adams State University Faculty Lecture, The Link Between Human Violence and Animal Abuse: Creating Public Safety Through Community Partnerships, by Dr. Laura Bruneau, associate professor of counselor education, begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, in Porter Hall room 130.

Animals have become an essential part of our culture and can be seen in song, story, and art. Further, our connection to animals results in bonds that can be nurturing and mutually healing. However, these bonds can also be exploited, abused, and broken. This lecture will explore the link between human violence and animal abuse, with an emphasis on building community partnerships across the San Luis Valley to promote public safety.

This lecture is supported by the National Link Coalition. The Link is an informal, multi-disciplinary collaborative network of individuals and organizations in human services and animal welfare who address the intersections between animal abuse, domestic violence, child maltreatment, and elder abuse through research, public policy, programming, and community awareness. We believe that human and animal well-being are inextricably intertwined and that prevention of family and community violence can be best achieved through partnerships representing multi-species perspectives.

All ASU Faculty Lectures in the series are free and open to the public. Complimentary light refreshments will be offered. For further information on the series of lectures, contact Dr. Kristy Duran, associate professor of biology, at 719-587-7767, or klduran@adams.edu.