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As humans, we underestimate the intelligence of animals, particularly dogs. The difference in how dogs perceive the world and communicate within it is often beyond our human grasp. Dogs interpret the world through their senses, with olfaction taking the lead. Dogs communicate predominantly through subtle and not-so-subtle nonverbal language. As highly verbal and visual humans, we often miss the opportunity to communicate with animals and the messages that they are sending. Machine learning may help assimilate the myriads of information that dogs communicate, translating some of it into human language, to enhance our understanding. Alternatively, if we perhaps listen a little more closely, we may begin to learn to hear what they are saying. 

Dr. Cynthia Ottoa (DVM, PhD, DACVECC, DACVSMR Biosketch) is a tenured Professor of Working Dog Sciences and Sports Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine is board certified in veterinary emergency medicine/critical care and canine sports medicine/rehabilitation. 

This program is made possible by the Ethics Center, with support from the Krebs Center for the Humanities, and the HUMAN Grant.