The podcast episode will tell specific stories to illustrate the wide range of work members of the interest group are conducting on the impact of human-animal interaction and aging. The members of this group represent the interdisciplinary nature of both gerontology and anthrozoology (i.e., the field of human-animal interaction). The podcast will be comprised of three main topics: 1. Gerontologists’ role in establishing the field of anthrozoology in the 1970s and 1980s; 2. The establishment of the interest group in 2016; 3. Current work being conducted by members of the group around the world.         
Guests:
Nancy R. Gee, PhD, C-AISS, Professor of Psychiatry & Director of the Center for Human-Animal Interaction, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Mai Takase, PhD Student, Department of Aquatic Bioscience, The University of Tokyo,
Ingeborg Pedersen, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Public Health Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)
Katharina Rosteius, PhD Student, Department of Health Services Research, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University

Co-Hosts: 
Jessica Bibbo, PhD, Senior Research Scientist, Center Research and Education, Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging (GSA Human-Animal Interaction Interest Group Convener)
Ashley Taeckens-Seabaugh, MSW, Research Fellow, Institute for Human-Animal Connection, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver