Master’s in Animals and Public Policy (MAPP) Candidate 2018

Education:
Sociocultural Anthropology, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras campus, 2017

What were you doing before entering the Masters in Animals and Public Policy program?
Before entering this program, I was finalizing my bachelor’s degree at the University of Puerto Rico and working with a professor in his ongoing research about Mayajigua, Cuba. I also worked as an independent dog walker and sitter in my hometown.

What aspects of MAPP led to your decision to join the program?
I joined this program because it offers me the opportunity to continue the research project I developed during my undergraduate degree with the mentorship of experts in the field of human-animal studies.

Interests in and experience with animals
Within the field of human-animal studies, the issue I’m most passionate about is public policy for the control of stray animals in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Puerto Rico has an overpopulation of stray dogs and cats, which is mostly attributed to abandonment. I have worked with several non-profit organizations in Puerto Rico to educate myself on the issue and of the best ways to control this population in a humane and innovative way.

What do you want to focus on at MAPP? What drew you to this?
I would like to focus on animal law as well as analyzing and creating policies that benefit animal rights. Through my research, I concluded that Puerto Rico’s policies for animal control are anthropocentric and were established to safeguard human’s health and safety. The knowledge and experience I learn from this program will be used to create animal control laws that are innovative while emphasizing on the animal’s wellbeing.

What are your career goals?
I aspire to obtain a PhD in Anthrozoology to continue researching the way humans interact with, while also impacting, animal’s lives in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Recently,
I’ve also considered attaining a law degree. Regardless of which path I take, my career goal is to work with policies and educate communities to better address the issue of animal abandonment and help increase the value of animals in our society.

What are your outside interests?
I love watching movies, having outdoor experiences, walking my dogs, visiting museums and I enjoy playing the piano.

Number of pets? What? I have four dogs.
A golden retriever named Sue, a Pitbull named Spotty, a Chihuahua named Lola and a “Sato” named Pew.

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