Dr. Rustin M. Moore
A distinguished veterinarian, author, and lifelong advocate for the transformative power of the human–animal bond. Growing up on a small farm in the Appalachian hills of West Virginia, he learned early how animals shape lives—a passion that has guided his nearly four-decade career.
Recognized globally for his leadership, scholarship, and mentorship, he serves as the 11th dean of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and the inaugural Rita Jean Wolfe Endowed Dean.
Author of Unleashing the Bond: Harnessing the Power of Human–Animal Interactions and its companion, Unlocking the Bond: The Power and Paradox of Human–Animal Interactions, Dr. Moore blends science, storytelling, and heart to illuminate the connections that enrich and heal both people and animals. Through his work, he inspires others to protect, preserve, and promote these enduring bonds.
Current Titles
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Unleashing the Bond
In Unleashing the Bond, Dr. Rustin Moore takes readers on a captivating journey into the profound connection between humans and animals, challenging the notion of this relationship as merely a feel-good phenomenon. With heartwarming stories, firsthand experiences, historical perspectives, and compelling scientific insights, this exploration reveals the dynamic, symbiotic nature of the human-animal bond and its multitude of mutual benefits. Peeling back the layers of this complex relationship, Dr. Moore offers a fresh perspective, uncovering a rich, intricate world of connection that will forever change how you view the animals in your life.
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Unlocking the Bond
In Unlocking the Bond: The Power and Paradox of Human–Animal Interactions, Dr. Rustin Moore exposes the profound tension at the heart of the human–animal bond. We love animals like family, yet we ask them to serve in battle, shoulder our grief, and even give their lives for our survival. Through stories of incarcerated men training shelter dogs, children finding their voices on horseback, veterans and first responders leaning on loyal partners, and farmers rising before dawn to care for their herds, Moore reveals how animals heal, protect, and transform us—while carrying burdens they never chose. Blending science, history, and powerful personal narratives, Unlocking the Bond embraces the paradox of love and loss, comfort and sacrifice, challenging us to honor these connections with empathy and responsibility—and to recognize that the bond does not simply shape the lives of animals, it reshapes our own.