Do you have to deal with comments from others when you’re out and about with your (challenging) dog? Do you get remarks on working with food rewards? Made fun of for “rewarding” your dog for lunging or barking?   Imagine going through that and getting snide remarks about your sexuality thrown into the mix. Like how of course it’s the dyke who brings a rug for their dog to relax on at a cafe. Airen has had to deal with experiences like this for a long time. He is a queer and trans person with the most adorable sight hound named Pili, whom he raises force free with the utmost respect for Pili being a sentient being of their own.   You can probably imagine that Airen has done his fair share of mindset- and thoughtwork to learn how to handle other people’s judgment. If you, like me, are a person who holds almost all of the world’s privileges it’s almost impossible to comprehend what he experiences on a day-to-day basis. I believe this is precisely why it’s so valuable to educate yourself and to listen to and really hear stories like Airen’s. Airen holds a degree in biochemistry and a Master’s degree in biotechnology, so like me, he loves science and what it can teach us. He did not find all that he was looking for in the world of academia and has now veered off to embark on a career uniquely his own. He combines science, education and art with his love for dogs and experiences as a queer and trans person to teach people about gender identity and dog well-being.   So, press play and listen to the wisdom Airen had to share. There are a lot, lot, lot of golden nuggets in there.   Find Airen here: https://www.instagram.com/perretologia/   Other links: The article on dogs, aversive treatment and the effects of predictability: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228352740_Effects_of_predictability_on_the_welfare_of_captive_animals   The article on breed stereotypes that Airen and I talk about: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abk0639?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D05295137187867910021787418243348647753%7CMCORGID%3D242B6472541199F70A4C98A6%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1655129552https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abk0639?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D05295137187867910021787418243348647753%7CMCORGID%3D242B6472541199F70A4C98A6%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1655129552