Buffalo, NY - Students from the Animal Behavior, Ecology and Conservation (ABEC) and Anthrozoology programs at Canisius University visited the Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, NY, on October 25. The visit was led by Chirantana Mathkari, PhD, assistant professor of ABEC and anthrozoology, and Joshua Russell, PhD, associate dean of the School of Natural Sciences and professor of ABEC and anthrozoology.
Located on 275 acres, Farm Sanctuary is home to nearly 400 rescued farm animals including cows, pigs, sheep, and turkeys, and is dedicated to rescue, education and advocacy that advance animal welfare, environmental sustainability and social justice through its One Wellbeing philosophy.
During the visit, students toured the sanctuary’s barns and learned about the daily care, management and rescue histories of the animals. They also observed the compassionate relationships between the animals and staff, as well as the animals’ natural behaviors and social interactions. Many students had the opportunity to engage directly with the animals, receiving gentle nudges, neck rubs and even purr-like sounds of affection from cows, pigs and sheep.
“Experiential learning opportunities like this give our students a firsthand perspective on animal welfare and advocacy,” said Russell. “They allow students to connect classroom concepts to real-world applications in meaningful and lasting ways.”
The day concluded with a group discussion exploring non-conventional approaches to farm animal welfare. Students reflected on topics such as the animals’ physical and social environments, opportunities for natural behaviors and overall health, all of which deepened their understanding of human-animal relationships and ethical stewardship.
Canisius was founded in 1870 in Buffalo, NY, and is one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. Consistently ranked among the top institutions in the Northeast, Canisius offers undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional programs distinguished by close student-faculty collaboration, mentoring and an emphasis on ethical, purpose-driven leadership.
