Meet the jungle dog that brought about my research that you can implement Service Dogs, specifically female German Shepherd Dogs, to treat captive Asian Elephants suffering from Complex-Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
I watched her mother-hen a heard of baby elephants; the next day, I witnessed an adolescent elephant in severe psychological distress due to being chained to a stump in the ground, with about a 1-foot clearance. One of the dark truths of Eco-tourism.
7 months later, while researching animal behaviour graduate degree programs, the two experiences just sorta clicked.
One day I hope to get back to Sumatra; put my dog to work; and report back my findings. 🐺
to be continued….
The elephant whisperer of Tangkahan, North Sumatra, Indonesia.