Hi, I'm Dr. Tiamat Warda
(and that's Inka).
My aim is to bring together academic knowledge with practitioner expertise to initiate sustainable, regulated, meaningful change for all stakeholders in multispecies workplaces.
I want to understand how the organization and regulation of multispecies workplaces, and the education of workers across species, can be advanced to improve interspecies emotional labour practices.
Hello,
I'm an anthrozoologist of Assyrian heritage, with varying degrees of experience with the topic of working (assistance) dogs in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, and Finland. After operating my guide dog school in Germany and working as a GDMI, I obtained an MA and PhD in Anthrozoology at the University of Exeter. I now apply this academic knowledge and professional expertise in research within Animal Organization Studies.
Current work
In the Research Council of Finland-funded Project PAWWS, I work as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Lapland. The aim here is to continue developing current understandings of interspecies well-being at work, as part of a wonderful, multidisciplinary team.
Further research
I am also conducting research funded by Aktion Mensch and carried out by the Assistance Dog Foundation that aims to provide data on current realities and needs of assistance dog professionals with disabilities.
Exam supervisor
With over a decade of professional experience in the assistance dog sector, I work as an assistance dog team exam supervisor for theory and practical exams that allow assistance dog teams to become legally qualified in Germany.
Curriculum development
Previously, in a Strategic Partnership concerned with developing a curriculum for assistance dog professionals, I worked as a research consultant. This was an EU-programme and part of an Erasmus+ grant from the Federal Ministry for Education in Germany, funded by the European Union.
My background
I obtained my MA in Anthrozoology at the University of Exeter with a strong distinction and a "Dean's Commendation for Exceptional Performance" award in 2019 - completing my PhD at the same programme.
This followed operating my guide dog school and working full-time as a guide dog instructor (GDMI) in Frankfurt, Germany. During this time, I became a certified dog trainer and behaviour consultant by the IHK.
4th Society & Animals Early Career Research Prize
I also love horses.
I was the first working student for 5-star Parelli instructor David Lichman, following years of working with horses and gentling mustangs in Northern California. Together with my dog, Mowgli, and horse, Oliver, I performed at a Parelli event in Reno - receiving a personal invitation to intern with Pat Parelli.
