Some years ago, I undertook a task that has taught me more about the humanity we share than any other
experience of my life. I began raising puppies for an organization called Canine Companions. One of these dogs — a black Labrador named Nell — is warming my toes as I type these words.
This process of raising a puppy is obviously filled with rich emotional experiences many of which result from encounters with the wide variety of people that the dog attracts. For example, as I walk into a restaurant or through a mall or into a movie theater with a Canine Companions puppy festooned in her blue and yellow cape, people of all descriptions approach me to ask about the dog or to beg the favor of a short session of ear scratching (the dog’s, not the person’s).
It’s because of these puppies that I have had lengthy conversations with college professors, immigrants, and homeless people, all of whom are drawn to either the love of dogs or the notion of helping someone with a disability. Whether we talk because of the dog or the disability, it’s the human connection that counts. That human connection—that humanity—is a core element of defeating the biases that separate us.
The material in this post reflects the ideas expressed in Dr. Thiederman’s book 3 Keys to Defeating Unconscious Bias and in the training videos Defeating Unconscious Bias: 5 Strategies and Gateways to Inclusion: Turning Tense Moments into Productive Conversations.
Sondra Thiederman can be contacted for virtual facilitation, and panel participation by clicking here or calling 619-992-3766. For additional information, go to this link to learn more about what Dr. Thiederman has to offer.
© copyright 2025 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
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