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One story, two species

 

Our story began two decades ago in South Africa when over 100 Rhinoceroses were found dead. Tourists caught the “perpetrators” on camera. Park biologists were shocked. The killers weren’t human, they were young male African Elephants (bulls). The naturally peaceful Elephant was acting completely out of character.

In 2004, Kerulos founder and Executive Director, Dr. Gay Bradshaw, discovered that the young bulls were suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition common to combat veterans and prisoners. While scientists tacitly acknowledge that Animals share with humans the same brain structures and processes that govern thinking, feeling, consciousness, and behavior, the diagnosis of Elephant PTSD was the first time this understanding was openly recognized. The large number of Rhinoceroses killed provided indisputable evidence of Animal psychological trauma caused by human violence.

Kerulos was founded in 2008 in response to widespread scientific and public interest.

In 2009, the story of Elephant breakdown was published in Gay’s Pulitzer Prize nominated Elephants on the Edge: What Animals Teach Us About Humanity (Yale, 2009). We extended the Elephant research to other species, which led to the first diagnosis of complex PTSD (C-PTSD) in Chimpanzees and Parrots. This work was seminal in crafting new Animal protection policy.

One mind,
one health

Our research on Elephant PTSD and other species established the new field of trans-species psychology, the science of sentience. Trans-species psychology takes us beyond myths and mistruths about Animals to who lies within. Just like us, Animals grieve, celebrate, love, and dream — and they are vulnerable to psychological trauma.

The Kerulos Learning Institute

In 2010, we established our online education program, the Kerulos Learning Institute (KLI). Our courses, seminars, and mentored internships serve students, professionals, and others around the world. We combine online learning with practical hands-on application in service to Animals where learners volunteer at one of our partner sanctuaries in the U.S. and abroad.

Our Sanctuary and Refuge

In 2014, we founded The Tortoise and the Hare Sanctuary, located in the beautiful mountains of southern Oregon. The sanctuary provides lifetime care for endangered and disabled Desert Tortoises, Rabbits, Chickens, Turkeys, and other Animals in need. Our Sanctuary also provides refuge for native Wildlife.

Living in unity with Nature

makes all places sanctuary

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