A paradigm-changing book for improving all human-animal relationships.

Forming reciprocal, two-way consenting relationships should be everyone's goal.

Just about everyone who chooses to live with a companion animal (AKA "pet") wants their nonhuman friend to have the best life possible. While there are some exceptions, I can only hope that these people, along with those who already are dedicated to giving their nonhuman friends the best lives possible, will read, reread, and share Dr. Risë VanFleet's book titled Embracing the Animal's Perspective: Living Our Best Lives With Companion Animals.

In this remarkable science- and story-based interdisciplinary book, VanFleet weaves in vital information from different fields including "ethology, humanistic psychology, cognitive psychology, behaviorism, comparative psychology, interpersonal theory, systems theory, bioecological systems, and development and attachment theory."

Marc Bekoff: Why did you write Embracing the Animal’s Perspective?

Risë VanFleet: Sometimes, I see examples where people do not understand their animals accurately. I was there once myself. A wonderful eye-opener for me came long ago, when I began to see my own animals more clearly. In my workshops for therapists learning animal-assisted play therapy, we have emphasized how understanding animals’ perspectives benefits people and animals alike. Participants have been very positive about this; the book is a way to share these ideas with more people.

MB: How does your book relate to your background and general areas of interest?

RV: I have many interests, and this book highlights some key ones. I’m a relationship-focused family psychologist, and I also love animals. I have studied ethology and animal behavior for years. Your work, Marc, has been........

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