First Day of Class... Kinda Nervous!

Last Wednesday I had my very first day of class for the M-School! I made sure to show up and early and prepared so my first day jitters couldn't get the best of me! Remember your first day of middle school? or even high school? or maybe college? this is how I felt:

A balanced mixture of nerves, excitement, and genuine curiosity.

My nerves failed to last long as our first guest speaker began his presentation with the close up face of a golden retriever covering the board. This might sound like a silly remedy to first day nerves, but for as long as I can remember dogs have always brought me a sense of comfort. Which might explain why I like them so much!

As our speaker proceeded with his presentation, my comfort found in dogs became increasingly understandable. He explained to us that humans and pets have a scientifically proven bond that can be therapeutic for many people. Looks like my dog induced comfort wasn't so silly after all!

Further, he explained that the chemical oxytocin is released when forming this animal human bond. The chemical is released when you 'fall in love' with your dog, and your pets even release this too! I was excited to hear that the love I have for my pets is actually reciprocated and not just a fabrication of my own admiration for them!

This scientifically proven bond is the basis to understanding the benefits of having animals as pets; it is also the foundation in understanding how we can improve the lives of our animal and human communities.

After the presentation had concluded, our professors announced that this semester our Marketing For Good project would focus on the animal human bond we had just learned about! I can't wait to see how my own efforts can result in positive change, but first I need a game plan!

Every great outcome starts with an even better game plan. As I begin to unveil the issues plaguing our co-existing human and animal communities, I am becoming only increasingly more excited to where this project will lead me.

It is difficult to decide definitively what this game plan will entail just yet, but this I know for sure: I want more people to understand and actually reap the possible benefits linked with the animal and human bond!