BHARCSCritical Studies in Canine Ethology, Policy, and Human–Animal Relationships — led by Sindhoor Pangal.
This is not a course. It is a shift in how you see.
The Lives of Streeties Workshop reframes how we interpret law, behaviour, policy and care — rather than simply handing over tools. It is for professionals who work with dogs and have found existing frameworks insufficient; who have questioned dominant narratives but lacked the language to challenge them; who are willing to examine their own assumptions; and who seek depth over quick solutions.
Three pillars of critical inquiry
- Discourse & the politics of knowledge — how language shapes which animals receive protection and which receive control.
- Challenging ethological orthodoxy — questioning the persistence of dominance theory, pack hierarchy and wolf analogies against the evidence.
- Anthropocentrism, biopower & ethics — how modern welfare systems prioritise human convenience over animal freedom.
Areas of inquiry
- Defining "streeties" — beyond myths and terminology
- Research methods — ethograms, ethnographies, and the limits of quantification
- Social structure
- Cultural bias
- The study of human body language
- Conflict resolution
- Care and conflict
- Lessons and reflections
What participants develop
An understanding of dog behaviour centred on vulnerable populations; the communication skills to advocate for dogs; the ability to identify bias in dominant narratives; an understanding of intersectionality (species, class, caste, colonialism); the reflexivity to examine one's own assumptions; a theoretical vocabulary for rigorous argument; and a connection to a global professional network.
Format
- Structure: four sessions, three hours each
- Delivery: live, online via Zoom
- Access: lifetime access to recordings, with both live and offline discussion spaces
- Certification: a certificate of participation only — as this is not an assessed course, BHARCS does not certify completion or proficiency
Register
Watch this space for future editions of this workshop. A recent edition was hosted by a Chilean team with real-time Spanish translation via Experiencias Caninas. To enquire about the next edition, write to learn@bharcs.com.