College of Veterinary Medicine

PVM Directory / Alan Beck

Alan Beck, ScD

Alan Beck, ScD

Professor Emeritus of Animal Ecology

Department of Comparative Pathobiology
Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine
625 Harrison Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907

765-494-0854
765-494-9830 (fax)
abeck@purdue.edu

Center for the Human-Animal Bond | HABRI Central | Purdue University Press - New Directions in the Human-Animal Bond

Education

1972 - ScD | The Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health
1968 - MA | California State University at Los Angeles
1964 - BA | Brooklyn College (CUNY)

Experience

2003– | Series editor, New Directions in the Human-Animal Bond, Purdue University Press
1996– | Editorial Advisory Board, Journal of Applied Animal Science (JAAWS)
1994–2001 | Consultant, Humane Society of the United States, Animal Control Education & Training Board, Washington, DC
1994–1994 | Consultant, New York City Department of Health, Animal Regulations and Health Policy, New York, NY
1992– | Chair, Advisory Board, Purdue University Press
1992– | Editorial Review Board, The Practice Journals, Veterinary Practice Publishing Co., Santa Barbara, CA.
1991–1993 | Editorial Consultant, Smithsonian Institution, National Zoological Park, Washington, DC
1990– | Adjunct Professor of Animal Ecology, Department of Clinical Studies - Philadelphia, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
1990– | Dorothy N. McAllister Professor of Animal Ecology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University
1990– | Director, Center for the Human-Animal Bond, School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University
1988–1991 | Editorial Review Board, Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, John Colet Press, Boston, MA
1986–2004 | Editorial Advisory Board, Anthrozoös, Purdue University Press, West Lafayette, IN
1985–1986 | Associate Editor, Journal of the Delta Society, Seattle, WA
1984–1989 | Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Biology, School of Arts & Sciences, University of Pennsylvania
1984–1990 | Adjunct Associate Professor of Animal Ecology, Department of Clinical Studies - Philadelphia, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
1983–1985 | U.S. Editor, Animal Encyclopedia, volume on Companion Animals, Equinox Ltd., England
1982–1984 | Editorial Review Board, Pet Care Reports, Whittle Communications, Knoxville TN
1979–1984 | Associate Professor of Animal Ecology, Department of Clinical Studies, Philadelphia
1979–1981 | Editorial Review Board, Animal Regulation Studies, Elsevier Publishing, Amsterdam
1979–1990 | Director, Center for the Interation of Animals and Society, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
1977–1979 | Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
1976–1980 | Editorial Review Board, Pet News, Educational Pet Journal, Inc., New York
1974–1979 | Director, Bureau of Animal Affairs, City of New York, Department of Health
1972–1974 | Chairman, Urban Ecology Task Force, Center for the Biology of Natural Systems, Washington University
1967–1968 | Teaching Assistant in Zoology, Clifornia State University, Los Angeles
1964–1966 | High School Biology Teacher, The New Lincoln School, New York

Areas of Interest

  • Human-Animal Bond

Selected Publications

  • Vogl RJ, Beck AM: 1970. Response of white-tailed deer to a Wisconsin wildfire. American Midland Naturalist 84: 270-273.
  • Beck AM: 1971.The life and times of Shag, a feral dog in Baltimore. Natural History 80(8): 58-65.
  • Beck AM, Vogl RJ: 1972. The effects of spring burning on rodent populations in a brush prairie savanna. Journal of Mammalogy 53:336-346.
  • Beck AM: 1974. The dog: America's sacred cow. Nation's Cities 12(2): 29-31, 34-35.
  • Fox MW, Beck AM, Blackman E: 1975. Behavior and ecology of a small group of urban dogs (Canis familiaris). Applied Animal Ethology 1: 119-137.
  • Lockwood R, Beck AM: 1975. Dog bite injury among letter carriers in St. Louis. Public Health Reports 90: 267-269.
  • Beck AM, Loring H, Lockwood R: 1975. The ecology of dog bite injury in St. Louis, MO. Public Health Reports 90: 262-267.
  • Beck AM: 1975. The public health implications of urban dogs. American Journal of Public Health 65: 1315-1318.
  • Imperato PH, Marr JS, Beck AM: 1976. Changes in rabies control - New York City. Morbid Mortal Weekly Rep (MMWR) 24(9): 82, March 1, 1975.
  • Marr JS, Beck AM: 1976. Rabies in New York City, with new guidelines for prophylaxis. Bulletin New York Academy of Medicine 52: 605-616.
  • Beck AM, Marden P: 1977. Street Dwellers. Natural History 86(9): 78-85.
  • Marr JS, Beck AM, Lugo, Jr, JA: 1979. An epidemiologic study of the human bite. Public Health Reports 94(6): 514-521.
  • Beck AM: 1979. The impact of the canine-waste law. Environment 21(8): 29-31, October.
  • Beck AM: 1980. Ecological aspects of urban stray dogs. Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian 2:721-724, 727.
  • Beck AM: 1980. The changing role of pets in society. Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian 2: 374-376.
  • Worth D, Beck AM: 1981. Multiple ownership of animals in New York City. Transactions and Studies of the College Physicians Philadelphia 3: 280-300.
  • Beck AM: 1981. The epidemiology of animal bite. Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian 3: 254-255, 257-258.
  • Rubin HD, Beck AM: 1982. Ecological behavior of free-ranging urban dogs. Applied Animal Ethology 8: 161-168.
  • Borchelt PL, Lockwood R, Beck AM, Voith VL: 1983. Attacks by packs of dogs involving predation on human beings. Public Health Reports 98: 57-66.
  • Beck AM, Quackenbush J: 1983. The human/companion animal bond: implications for veterinary education. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education 9: 115-117.
  • Beck AM: 1983. The law and the pet: a reasonable compromise. California Veterinarian 37: 17-20.
  • Beck AM, Katcher AH: 1984. A new look at pet-facilitated therapy. Journal American Veterinary Medical Association 184: 414-421.
  • Beck AM: 1984. An epizootic of rabies. Natural History 93(7): 6-8,10-11.
  • Katcher AH, Segal H, Beck AM: 1984. Comparison of contemplation and hypnosis for reduction of anxiety and discomfort during dental surgery. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis 1:14-21.
  • Beck AM, Jones B: 1985. A study of unreported dog bite in children. Public Health Reports 100: 315-321.
  • Beck AM: 1985. The ecology, ethology, and epidemiology of human/animal interactions. J Delta Society 1:27-30.
  • Katcher AH and Beck AM: 1986. Dialogue with Animals. Transaction and Studies College of Physicians of Philadelphia 8:105-112.
  • Beck AM, Seraydarian L, Hunter GF: 1986. The use of animals in the rehabilitation of psychiatric inpatients. Psychological Reports 58: 63-66.
  • Beck AM: 1987. (invited review) Pet therapy in a nursing home. Journal American Medical Association 257: 844.
  • Beck AM, Felser SR, Glickman LT: 1987. An epizootic of rabies in Maryland, 1982-1984. American Journal of Public Health 77: 42-44.
  • Katcher, AH, Beck AM: 1987. Health and caring for living things. Anthrozoös 1(3): 175-183.
  • Beck AM, Meyers NM: 1987. The pet owner experience. New Eng and Regional Allergy Proc 8(3): 29-31.
  • Beck AM, Katcher AH: 1989. Bird-human interaction. Journal Association of Avian Veterinarians 3(3): 152-153.
  • Katcher AH, Beck AM, Levine D: 1989. Evaluation of a pet program in prison: the Pal Project at Lorton. Anthrozoös 2(3): 175-180.
  • Glickman NW, Glickman LT, Torrence ME, Beck AM: 1991. Animal welfare and societal concerns: an interdisciplinary curriculum. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education 18(2): 60-63.
  • Beck AM: 1991. The epidemiology and prevention of animal bites. Seminars in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (Small Animal) 6(3): 186-191.
  • Rajecki DW, Beck AM: 1993. Anthrozoös' research (Volumes I-V) with notes on case study and single-subject designs. Anthrozoös 6(3): 154-165.
  • Bebak J, Beck AM: 1993. The effect of cage size on play and aggression between dogs in purpose-bred beagles. Laboratory Animal Science. 43(5): 457-459.
  • Torrence ME, Beck AM, Glickman LT, Pérez CM, Samuels ML: 1995. Raccoon rabies in the mid-Atlantic (epidemic) and southeastern states (endemic) 1970-1986: an evaluation of reporting methods. Preventive Veterinary Medicine. 22(3): 197-211.
  • Beck AM: 1995. Xenograft transplantation: blessing or blaspheme? Lab Science [January] 24(1): 36-38.
  • Beck AM: 1996. Ecological aspects of urban stray dogs - update, pp 259-263. In Voith, VL. Borchelt, PL [eds]: Readings in Companion Animal Behavior. Veterinary Learning Systems, Trenton, NJ.
  • Weeks J. and Beck AM: 1996. Equine Agitation Behaviors. Equine Practice 18(6): 23-24.
  • Beck AM, Meyers NM: 1996. Health enhancement and companion animal ownership. Annual Review of Public Health. 17:247-257.
  • Beck AM: 1996. Monkey see, human do: the study of primate-human communication. Semiotica 109(3/4): 357-360.
  • Patronek GJ, Glickman LT, Beck AM, McCabe GP, Ecker C: 1996. Risk factors for relinquishment of dogs to an animal shelter. Journal American Veterinary Medical Association 209(3): 572-581.
  • Patronek GJ, Beck AM, Glickman LT: 1997. Dynamics of dog and cat populations in a community. Journal American Veterinary Medical Association 210(5): 637-642.
  • Kasper M, Beck AM: 1997. Effect of environmental temperature on the behavior of Clydesdales during preparation time before athletic performances. Equine Practice 19(6): 25-28.
  • Melson GF, Schwarz RL, Beck AM: 1997. Importance of companion animals in children's lives - implications for veterinary practice. Journal American Veterinary Medical Association 211(12): 1512-1518.
  • Beck, AM: 1999. Companion animals and their companions: sharing a strategy for survival. Bulletin Science, Technology & Society 19(4): 281-285.
  • Norris PA, Shinew KJ, Chick G, Beck AM: 1999. Retirement, Life Satisfaction, and Leisure Services: The Pet Connection. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration 17(2): 65-83.
  • Rud Jr., AG, Beck AM: 1999. Send us your favorite pet stories: moral and development dimensions of children's entries in a newspaper contest. Anthrozoös, 12(2): 115-120.
  • Rud Jr., AG, and Beck AM: 2000. Kids and critters in class together. Phi Delta Kappan, 82(4): 313-315.
  • Heath SE, Kass PH, Beck AM, Glickman LT: 2001. Human and pet-related risk factors for household evacuation failure during a natural disaster. American Journal of Epidemiology, 153 (7): 659-665.
  • Heath SE, Beck AM, Kass PH, Glickman LT: 2001. Risk factors for pet evacuation failure after a slow-onset disaster. Journal American Veterinary Medical Association 218(12): 1905-1910.
  • Beck AM, Melson GF, da Costa PL, Liu T: 2001. The educational benefits of a ten-week home-based wild bird feeding program for children. Anthrozoös, 14(1): 19-28.
  • Russell, MA, Brady CM, Pajor EA, Beck AM: 2002. Horses ARE companions, but.... Journal American Scientist 80 (supplement 1): 170.
  • Edwards NE, Beck AM: 2002. Patients respond to aquariums. Provider 28(6): 47-48.
  • Edwards NE, Beck AM: 2002. Animal-assisted therapy and nutrition in Alzheimer's disease. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 24(6): 697-712.
  • Rud AG Jr., Beck AM: 2003. Companion animals in Indiana elementary schools. Anthrozoös, 16(3): 241-251.
  • Beck AM, Katcher, AH: 2003. Future directions in human-animal bond research. American Behavioral Scientist, 47(1): 79-93.
  • Melson GF, Kahn PH, Jr., Beck, AM, Friedman B, Roberts, T, Garrett E: 2005. Robots as Dogs? - Children's Interactions with the Robotic Dog AIBO and a Live Australian Shepherd. Extended Abstracts of the Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, (16
  • Canino J, Shaw J, Beck AM. 2007. A look at the role of marriage and family therapy skills within the context of animal behavior therapy. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 2(1): 15-22.
  • Beck, AM & Martin, F. 2008. Current human-animal bond course offerings in veterinary schools. Journal veterinary Medical Education, 35(4): 483-486.
  • Beck AM. 2008. The human-animal bond: essential elements in veterinary education. Journal Veterinary Medical Education, 35(4): 476.
  • Melson GF, Peter H. Kahn PH Jr, Beck, AM, Friedman B. 2009. Robotic pets in human lives: implications for the human-animal bond and for human relationships with personified technologies. Journal of Social Issues 65(3): 545-567.
  • Beck AM: 1973. The Ecology of Stray Dogs: A Study of Free-Ranging Urban Animals, York Press, Baltimore. [re-published by Purdue University Press, West Lafayette, IN, 2002]
  • Beck AM, Katcher AH: 1983. Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship, GP Putnam's Sons, New York. Perigee Books, New York, paperback, 1984.
  • Katcher AH, Beck AM [eds]: 1983. New Perspectives on Our Lives with Companion Animals, University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia. [in Spanish 1993; in Japanese 1994]
  • Beck AM, Katcher AH: 1996. Between Pets and People: the Importance of Animal Companionship-Revised Edition. Purdue University Press, West Lafayette, IN. [Japanese version, Tokyo: Tuttle-Mori Agency, 2002]