Victoriano 1

Solomon Victoriano
Professor Lynda Haas
Writing 37
30 January 2014
Dogs for the Benefit of Humanity
Throughout history there have been several animals that have assisted humanity,
be that in the military, medicinal progress, or even as pets. However, of these animals, the
dog has been one of the top animals to assist humanity. For this literature review, Ill be
reviewing four main sources. The first being Leslie Irvines If You Tame Me. Leslie is a
renowned professor who studies sociology and human-animal interaction. In this source,
Professor Irvine describes how and why the bonds between humans and animals
emerged. In the Genius of Dogs, Brian Hare describes canine related research, which
shows the intelligence levels of dogs. In We3, Grant Morrison describes a future where
animals are equipped with military technology and where warfare becomes somewhat
dependent on military animals. In Dogs in War, Police Work and Patrol, Charles Sloane
describes the past use of dogs in military scenarios ranging from the Napoleonic Wars to
use of dogs as Police dogs. According to many leading scholars in the field, dogs have
benefitted humanity since they became domesticated. Although this idea is well known,
Leslie Irvine and Brian Hare see that dogs benefitting humanity emerged when dogs
became humans pets, and Grant Morrison and Charles Sloane focus on how dogs benefit
humanity through their military assistance.
Dogs have benefited humanity by being humans companions. Dogs have been
humans companions since cavemen existed. Leslie Irvine, a renowned sociologist who

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studies the bonds between humans and animals, states Once dogs make a kill, humans
moved in and took the carcass, leaving scraps for the canids (14). Bonds with dogs
formed due to the need of a hunting companion. Brian Hare, an animal researcher, would
agree that dogs would also want to form this bond with humans. He states that that
[dogs] often use our behavior to infer what we want, and what we want is usually to help
them (125). So despite the fact that humans and dogs developed this companionship due
to the need of a hunting companionship, it evolved into a deep companionship that still
stands strong to this day. Hare brings up the idea that dogs understand human
communicative intentions. To show this, he gives an example of how his father taught
their pet dog how to fetch the newspaper every Sunday morning. Hare later states that
no other species besides humans has demonstrated the ability to learn the meaning of
words so quickly and with so much flexibility (129). Dogs can be taught not only to
fetch paper, but also to do various tasks ranging from assisting the disabled to being
guard dogs. Professor Irvine focuses on how dogs are beneficial to humans because of
how well they adapted to being around humans. She states that dogs incorporate their
owners into their social groups while other animals dont. Dogs have adapted to be
around humans, going as far to making them part of their kennel. Professor Irvine quotes
another author, Yi-Fu Tuan, and according to him Whether we use them for economic
or playful and aesthetic, we use them (26). Tuan believes that we use dogs for our
benefit. Hare would disagree with this point though, since Hare believe that the bond
between human and dog is greater than just master and pet. Despite the fact that it may
seem that we use dogs to be companions, dogs are used for human benefit, which is
evident when dogs are used in military situations.

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Dogs have come to benefit humanity through their help in military situations. In
the past, dogs have been used as guards, suppliers, and as military assisters. Charles
Sloane describes how dogs were used in the Napoleonic Wars as guards and in both
World Wars to help the military. Nazis actually had one of the best-trained canine forces
ever seen at the time World War 2 emerged. These dogs were used as messengers,
suppliers, and as attack dogs according to Sloane. The author of We3, Grant Morrison,
would agree that the use of dogs as soldiers would be beneficial to humanity. For
example, in We3, Morrison describes two dogs in the future, which are equipped with
weaponry, for military use. In the future, animals will probably be optimized like this for
military use to avoid human loss in wars. As can be seen, humans have been using and
will probably continue to use dogs in military situations. By doing so, they will be able to
participate in military expeditions without the human loss.
Dogs have been and will continue to be used by humans to benefit them. Dogs
have benefitted humans through their companionship and their assistance in the military.
Though it may seem wrong to use dogs, or any other animal, to benefit humanity, it is a
necessary thing to do if humans are to continue thriving in the future.