Animal photos are good for your health

Law360 Canada (February 20, 2024, 10:17 AM EST) --

V. Victoria Shroff KC

Human and animal health are linked, including in ways that you may not have suspected.

Scientists found that the simple act of watching videos of cute animals or looking at pictures of animals helps reduce anxiety, boosts mood and enhances concentration, proving once again, that time spent watching animal videos and photos is time very well spent and that watching cute animal videos is good for your brain.

Does watching animal videos have anything to do with lawyering? Yes. More than meets the eye, and not just for animal law lawyers. Findings from a comprehensive national study in 2022 demonstrated that legal professionals suffer from high levels of mental health related issues. So, knowing that even the simple act of watching a video or seeing an animal photo can be a mental health boost provides me with a good reason to share that there's an animal photo contest on right now showcasing the importance of animals to human lives.

The contest encourages all legal professionals in both the United States and Canada to flex their photog skills and tag their original animal photo on social media for a chance to win a prize. This is an excuse to step away from whatever file you're working on and take a photo of your companion animal.

Office dog or cat with you right now? Snap a photo. Maybe you don't have your own pet or companion animal nearby, but maybe you have a furry, feathery or smooth-coated friend at a farm animal sanctuary, or perhaps you took a great photo of an animal while on holiday, or a video of a squirrel, raccoon, loon or eagle at the local park. Check the camera roll on your phone, you may have already taken a winning photo.

In 2021, I was the animal lawyer judge on a panel with two other judges for the inaugural animal photo contest. I joined Dr. Zazie Todd, renowned animal behaviourist and author, and Fred Woo, assistant manager of UBC’s Animal Care Committee. It was hard to choose winners from the many snaps of furry, fluked, winged and finned individuals who were entered. One clever cat even submitted a picture of her human in the contest. For the 2024 contest, I will again be the animal lawyer judge, alongside PJ Yukon, the first poet laureate of the Yukon who is also a fierce animal advocate and currently campaigning to protect northern sled dogs.

Contest sponsors are also fortunate to have secured animal advocate and Humane Society International specialist Marta Etynkowski as a photo contest judge. Etynkowski is a digital research and toxicology specialist at Humane Society International and is a leader in promoting animal-free science.

If you'd like to brighten your mood, lower anxiety and possibly win one of four prizes, consider entering an animal photo or video in the competition. It’s easy to enter: just share an original picture or video of your pet or another animal on social media with the hashtag #LNCAnimalContest.

The contest closes on Feb. 29 and winners will be announced on March 12. For full contest details and terms, click here: Lexis Nexis Canada Animal Photo Contest.

Please be mindful if you're going to take pictures of wild animals and keep a respectful and safe distance. Leave more space than you think you need. Though furry family members are accustomed to being photographed, there too, please take your cue from the animal and proceed with kindness.

The photo contest is fun and it highlights animal welfare and the interconnection of human and animal lives. Anytime we count animals in as sentient beings, as subjects, and at the same time boost mental health, it's a win.

(Editor's note: Law360 Canada is published by LexisNexis.)
 
V. Victoria Shroff, KC is one of Canada’s first and longest serving animal law practitioners and the longest serving in B.C. Shroff practises animal law in Vancouver at Shroff and Associates; is adjunct professor of animal law at UBC’s Allard School of Law and faculty, Capilano University. Shroff is an associate fellow at the Oxford Centre Animal Ethics. Recognized locally and internationally as an animal law expert, she is frequently interviewed by media. Her book, Canadian Animal Law, is available at LexisNexis Canada. www.shroffanimallaw.com | LinkedIn.

The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author’s firm, its clients, Law360 Canada, LexisNexis Canada, or any of its or their respective affiliates. This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal advice.  

Interested in writing for us? To learn more about how you can add your voice to Law360 Canada, contact Analysis Editor Peter Carter at peter.carter@lexisnexis.ca or call 647-776-6740.