Experimental College

Instructor Spotlight: Stephen Strout

Stephen Strout is an animal activist with experience in animal rescue and sanctuary work. He is a graduate student at Tufts studying education, with a focus on animal public policy and humane education
A smiling man wearing a backwards white cap and a gray hoodie takes a selfie in a barn stall beside a black-and-white pig resting on a bed of straw

What does it mean to be an animal?

It is hard for me to say what it means to be an animal as doing so would require some level of anthropocentric bias. However, I believe that what it means to be an animal is no different than what it means to be human. We all have goals, ambitions, friends, things we enjoy, and things we avoid. We all should have the freedom to live life free from suffering and pain and to do what brings us joy. It is important that we remember that existence is not a hierarchy. Instead, we should find ways to embrace our similarities and differences across species and learn to coexist with compassion and empathy.

What can humans and animals learn from each other?

Of the many things we can learn from animals, I think one of the most important is compassionate, anti-hierarchical, coexistence. Put differently, we can learn how to embrace our differences in ways that strengthen and complement our coexistence. While it is hard not to feel overwhelmed by ever-present cruelty and hierarchy (both human and animal), it is important that we find ways to give power to the individuality, kindness, and compassion that surrounds and exists in all of us.

What is your favorite animal and why?

All animals are beautiful and awesome. That being said, I am particularly drawn towards turtles, horseshoe crabs, and pigs. Turtles have always held a special place in my heart. As a kid I would carry around my “Turtle Rescue Briefcase” that held my field guide, journal, and handmade brochures to inform the public of how they can help keep turtles safe. Mind you, these brochures were written by a child still learning to read and write, so they were mostly unreadable and unhelpful. Regardless, I am still drawn to turtles’ stoic beauty and perseverance and love helping with habitat conservation and protection efforts. Maybe I should dust off the briefcase?

As for horseshoe crabs, what’s not to love about an animal that has been around for almost 450 million years? They have lived through five mass extinctions! Unfortunately, it remains to be seen if they will survive the Anthropocene, but I am encouraged by the efforts being made to protect these remarkable beings. We can certainly learn a lot from their perseverance through millions of years of adversity!

And last, but not least, pigs. As evidenced in my photo, I love pigs. They are curious, mischievous, and idiosyncratic. Unfortunately, they exist in several spheres of human exploitation. They are used by science, slaughtered for human consumption, and hunted in the wild. I have formed bonds with many pigs throughout my advocacy journey, and it pains me to see the suffering they endure at the hands of human exploitation. I am hopeful that one day humans will see all animals as I do: beings worthy of our kindness and compassion, not commodities to be used at our convenience.