|
|
Amy Dellinger Page, who was present virtually every calling evening; and the professors and dissertation committee members who provided constructive feedback, including Dr. James A. Black, Dr. Sherry Cable, and Dr. John Nolt. A debt of gratitude goes to my major professor, Dr. Donald Hastings, who took interest in a project far outside the purview of his research agenda and provided invaluable support and advice. Many fellow colleagues provided both encouragement and emotional/mental support when the constraints of graduate school seemed overwhelming. My sincere thanks to: Cory Blad, Anne Austin Carroll, Amy Dellinger Page, Sammy Zahran, and my closest friend, Danielle McGurrin.
A special acknowledgment and thanks goes to my family, who instilled in me as a young child the imperative of higher education. To my father, Nicholas, for the continual encouragement and understanding he gives. Our heated discussions provide me with much to contemplate and contribute to my continuous learning, if only as preparation for the next debate! To my sister Laura Joan, both colleague and a best friend; her feedback on this project was greatly appreciated, but her companionship and collaboration in life are what I truly value. To my mother Mary, co-author, parent, and friend. The opportunity to publish with her was exciting and will bind us in history forever. As a group, my family provides more support than they will ever know. They also instilled in me a love for many creatures, and stressed the importance of kindness to all species that undoubtedly influenced my interest in this project. Throughout the years there have been many such creatures that deepened my understanding of the human-nonhuman animal bond: Barron,