An Untold Story of Dogs: Clandestine Canine Contributions to Science

Abstract

Dogs and humans have cohabited between 15,000 and 100,000 years. Given even the lower estimate, the time our two species have intertwined is noteworthy. Here, the focus is on the scientific impact of canines on their companion humans’ research. While any admixture of subject and object in science, in this instance human and dog, is conventionally dismissed, indeed censured, testimonies from both past and contemporary scientists acknowledge the revelatory insights that relationships with their companion dogs have had on their work. Such vital trans-species attachments not only exist, but they also cannot be excised from science; accuracy and understanding epistemic genealogy require their consideration. Viewing phenomena from a trans-species lens, scientists can access profound sources of non-anthropocentric information and inspiration. Beyond the scientific understanding that nonhuman animals possess brains, minds, and emotions comparable to those of our species, dogs have earned acknowledgement for their contributions to scholarly work.