Disciplines
• Veterinary Medicine
• Veterinary Surgery
• Veterinary Pathobiology
Humans and animals: Those entering
the veterinary field may learn more about
their human and animal customers by understanding
religious beliefs. Humans have a long history
of sharing their lives with animals, from
the Egyptians, who often were mummified with
their pets so they could accompany them in
eternity; to domesticated animals that provided
wool or eggs; and today's array of household
pets. Religious beliefs may define how individuals
feel about the animals in their care, as well
as their ethical beliefs about how animals
should be treated, especially in times of
illness or death.
Religious beliefs:
Many faiths teach respect for the creatures
that share Earth with humans. A long debate
in Christianity has been over interpretation
of Genesis 1:28 in the Old Testament, in
which God blessed the man and woman he had
created (Adam and Eve) and told them: "Be
fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the
earth, and subdue it: and have dominion
over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl
of the air, and over every living thing
that moveth upon the earth."
Scholars and believers
have tried to discern whether "dominion"
means using animals for humans' purposes,
or that humans bear responsibility for a
benevolent stewardship of animals. As people's
relationships with animals have grown more
emotional in the modern time, and awareness
of environmental issues has increased, the
stewardship perspective has grown popular.
The most famous Christian
saint associated with animals is St. Francis
of Assisi, who renounced his monetary prosperity
to live a life of poverty amid the natural
world. He praised the earth, sun, plants
and animals and was known for preaching
to birds and picking worms off the road
and carrying them to safety. Founder of
the Franciscan Order, St. Francis is known
as the patron saint of animals and is a
favorite among many Catholics. Christian
churches of several denominations mark St.
Francis of Assisi's feast day on October
4 with blessings of congregation and community
members' pets.
In Islam, a saying of Muhammad,
known as a "hadith," tells of
the prophet being asked whether those who
are kind to animals are rewarded. Muhammad
reportedly answered: "There is a reward
for kindness to every living animal or human."
He also related the stories of a woman who
was condemned to hell because she imprisoned
a cat until it died; and a man who gave
a very thirsty dog a drink, and was forgiven
of his sins by God. If they must kill an
animal, Muslims are commanded to do so in
a manner that causes the least amount of
fright and suffering.
Issues today: Veterinarians
will encounter similar issues as human doctors
in terms of determining patients' quality
of life and recommending life-sustaining
or life-ending treatments or technologies.
Understanding that humans may have particular
feelings about their animals because of
personal or religious beliefs will inform
a veterinarian in recommending treatment.
Recent studies show that people often grieve
the death of a pet in the same way they
grieve the loss of a family member. Veterinarians
can be sensitive to the grief process, and
understand that religious beliefs may also
inform people's views about the afterlife
and whether animals may share it with human
believers. Veterinarians also may face ethical
issues of when to try to preserve an animal's
life, the mounting financial cost to human
owners of animal health care, and expert
opinions about animal abuse and proper care.
American
Academy of Religion Syllabi Search
Religion
and Animals
Paul Waldau
Tufts University
Christian Veterinary Mission
• See a full list of professional associations and resources here.
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