The Kerulos Center addresses three pressing issues that affect animal lives: animal trauma and abuse, human-caused breakdown of wildlife societies, and human alienation from other nature.
Our programmes create innovative solutions in three ways:
Kerulos researches animal trauma and methods of recovery to:
- change policy and attitudes to prevent animal abuse
- develop therapeutic approaches to help individual animals recover from trauma
- teach and apply trauma recovery therapies for domesticated and captive animals
Wildlife Conservation and Self-determination
We translate understanding of wildlife values and culture to science, conservation, and sanctuary design, practice, and policy to achieve wildlife
- sustainability—the right to an environment that guarantees wellbeing for present and future generations
- self-determination —the ability to makes decisions freely without human coercion.
Trans-species Community and Communication
Kerulos promotes ways to catalyze human cultural change that achieves common ways of living, communicating, and knowing across species. We accomplish this through our website, publications, K-12 and higher education curricula, presentations, and other media.
We also cultivate compassionate and healthy relationships between humans and other nature by offering trainings, consultations, and coaching in collaboration with organizations and individuals in human and animal health care.
photo credits
"Charlie Vandergaw and Cookie", C&C Bear Images
© 2010 Kerulos Center All rights reserved
"Science in service to animals"
Our Philosophy
Conventionally, science reflects human interests. Kerulos reverses this tradition by designing our trans-species programmes to “see through the eyes of animals”: animal values and needs shape what we do and how we work. We bring together knowledge from diverse disciplines and indigenous human and animal cultures in service to nature.
Our programs are informed by trans-species science and psychology, a scientific perspective that furthers human understanding of how animals think and feel, what they value, and how humans can serve and support animals. Liberation psychologist Ignatio Martín-Baró maintained that we must “redesign our theoretical and practical tools...from the standpoint of the lives” of those who suffer, from “their aspirations, and their struggles."
As a theory of change, trans-species psychology connects animal well-being and human cultural transformation. Preventing animal suffering requires changing human perceptions, practices, and the institutions that cause pain and distress. This moves us into a world where animals live in dignity and freedom.