Unconditional

The project Unconditional explores human-animal interactions and the mental, social, and emotional benefits some gain from them. A universal experience of the COVID-19 pandemic was social isolation and loneliness, which led to an increased demand for acquiring or fostering a pet. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), 23 million households (one in five) welcomed a new pet into their homes amid the pandemic. Engaging with animals has been proven to reduce cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress, and also to decrease blood pressure. “Being around them tends to be soothing because animals tend to regulate their emotions better. So it causes us to need to regulate our emotions better,” said Danielle Pientka, a licensed social worker and therapist who specializes in animal-assisted therapy models.

The accompanying film, Ripple Effect, narrates the story of Michael Evans and his connection to city wildlife in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The following video is the trailer for Ripple Effect. The full version can be found in my Films category,