Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
March 13, 2002
U of G to hold ceremony to recognize contributions of animals
A ceremony to acknowledge the contributions of animals to education and research will be held at the University of Guelph Wednesday, March 20, at 12:10 p.m. in Room 107 of the MacKinnon Building. Members of the university community are invited to attend.
The ceremony will include remarks by psychology professor Hank Davis and veterinary student Susan Emerson. Participants will then proceed to the memorial stone that honours the contributions of animals, located at the south end of Branion Plaza near Zavitz Hall, and lay flowers near the plaque.
"The service is intended to be a moment of dignified reflection," said Davis, who started the event in 1993. It has since become a regular tradition on campus. "Animals make teaching and research possible at universities. I am an animal researcher; I use more animals in teaching and research than anyone else in my department. This is just a way to show respect for the animals. We hope people will be reflective, rather than reflexive in their use of animals.
Guelph was the first North American university to hold such a service, but similar services are now becoming common in Canada and the United States, Davis added.
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