Pets as teachers

Don’t be surprised to see animals teaching students in this class. Most people don’t get a kiss and a cuddle when they arrive at work. But the lecturers at Sunway University College’s School of Health and Natural Sciences do — from the pets that accompany them to work. These lecturers have banded together to teach a unique course called Pet Behaviour Studies, which is part of the psychology programme at Sunway College and unheard of in most local universities. Don’t be surprised if you should see the animals teaching the students in this programme! From left: Dr Sagathevan Kuppusamy showing Vrinda Yajna Rupa Prabakaran, Gerard Goh Nai King, Sindhu Nair and Wong Poh Wan how to handle a sugar glider. In one class, the star attraction is psychology lecturer Dr Cheong Sau Kuan’s two-year-old pet ferret. Dr Cheong would cover up... [read full story]