Recognizing animal suffering and pain (1994)

Mroczek, N. S.

Abstract

Highlights the human conditioning to the incongruous position that considers animals dissimilar to humans with respect to drive, need, or sensation, yet similar enough to be used as models for the study of humans themselves [p. 28]. ... Recognizing animals in pain requires empathic observation, which in turn engenders identification and often sympathy and positive regard. Identification, sympathy, and positive regard by a scientist or animal care worker can, most of all, help to encourage optimum care and treatment of animals in pain. Recognition of animals suffering and pain is made possible by feeling for and interest in animals themselves, as sentient organisms, first and foremost, and feeling for and interest in animal behavior in totality [p. 31].