The American Veterinary Medical Association and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association recognize that sentient animals are capable of experiencing positive physical and emotional states, including but not limited to comfort and pleasure. Today, it is generally accepted that at least the vertebrate species are sentient, and this is supported by the existence of inconsistent animal protection legislation around the world. However, such laws are geographically inconsistent and often lack in substance-for instance, what stops us from banning animal cruelty for entertainment on a worldwide basis? Is it disbelief or unawareness of animal suffering, desire for profit, or lack of empathy as a species? What if we were to briefly turn our attention away from the pain and suffering of animals and instead look toward the ability of animals to feel joy, form lasting friendships, hold grudges, or be empathetic? If people were to see animals as the individuals that they are, with their own personalities, they might then begin to act more compassionately toward them. It is the capacity of animals to feel emotions that drives the animal welfare movement and the reason why animal protection laws now exist. However, John Watson, who founded the behaviorist movement in psychology in 1913, discredited any subjective experiences, intention, or emotions in animals.Īnimal sentience refers to the ability of animals to feel and experience emotions such as joy, pleasure, pain, and fear. Darwin proposed that at least some animals were capable of self-consciousness, which has since been demonstrated in great apes, dolphins, and elephants. Hippocrates and Pythagoras were advocates for the fair treatment of animals based on their understanding of the capacity of animals to suffer. As preposterous as this statement sounds in 2021, the concept of animal sentience has ebbed and flowed over the centuries, and it is not until the last couple of decades that science and law have both focused on accepting the truth.
Such a quote is sure to grab attention and set the mind racing. Platt received his veterinary degree from University of Edinburgh (Scotland) and completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Ontario Veterinary College (University of Guelph) and residency in neurology and neurosurgery at University of Florida.
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He has authored or coauthored more than 190 journal articles and 50 book chapters and is the co-editor of three textbooks: BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Neurology, Manual of Small Animal Neurological Emergencies, and Canine and Feline Epilepsy: Diagnosis and Management. Platt is a member of the International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force and a founding member of the Southeastern Veterinary Neurology Group. His research interests include ischemic disease of the central nervous system, canine brain tumors, and epilepsy.ĭr. Platt, BVM&S, MRCVS, DACVIM (Neurology), DECVN, is a professor of neurology and neurosurgery at University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.
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