Taylor Rezvani and Corey J. Butler receive national award for innovative anthrozoology course
Husson University faculty members Dr. Taylor Rezvani and Corey J. Butler have earned national recognition for their collaborative work developing Anthrozoology: Animals, People, and Society, an innovative course exploring the complex relationships between humans and animals.
The Clifton Bryant Animals & Society Course Award, presented by the Animals and Society Section of the American Sociological Association, honors exceptional course design in the study of human-animal relationships. This year’s competitive selection recognized the Husson course for its interdisciplinary approach, international perspective and focus on reflexivity. Reflexivity encourages students to consider how their identities, experiences and assumptions influence the way they understand and evaluate knowledge.
Anthrozoology: Animals, People, and Society introduces students to Husson’s Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare master’s degree program. Developed using the Understanding by Design framework, the course positions students as active contributors to academic discussion. Students select an audience, interaction, culture and species to investigate, then bring together perspectives from around the world through a structured literature review. Their work culminates in an Anthrozoological Visiting Scholar Welcome Talk. Through examination of their assumptions and research methods, students establish a foundation for careers in animal care, policy, advocacy and research.
Rezvani has two decades of experience in veterinary practices and animal behavior education. She earned an interdisciplinary Ph.D. from Washington State University that integrated biology, education and psychology. She also co-founded a nonprofit dedicated to canine-human interaction outreach and serves as education committee chair for the Human Animal Bond Association. At Husson, she has contributed to the development of the undergraduate Animal Care and Behavior program as well as the graduate Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare program.
Butler brings more than a decade of experience in asynchronous online curriculum development and has been instrumental in building Husson’s animal studies programs.
Rezvani and Butler will be recognized at the Animals and Society Section’s Human-Animal Futures in a Changing World mini-conference, following the American Sociological Association Annual Meeting on August 12 at New York University
Prospective students interested in the field can learn more about the Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare program at Husson Online.
For more than 128 years, Husson University has prepared future leaders through innovative undergraduate and graduate degree programs. With a commitment to delivering affordable classroom, online and experiential learning opportunities, Husson offers quality educational programs in areas including emerging technologies; business; finance; education; animal care; legal studies; healthcare; science and humanities; and communication. For more information about educational opportunities, visit Husson.edu.
