What is AIC?
Communication is fundamental to the human experience.
It allows us to express our thoughts, needs, and emotions. It allows us to connect and relate with others. Before we had TV, movies, and Tik Toks to share our stories, we had our words. Generation after generation, humans have shared in our experience by talking with each other.
But what about our furry companions? How do they convey their desires or share their thoughts with us? Outside of wagging their tails or barking, they don’t. So we thought.
What if humans just aren’t smart enough to truly embrace the intelligence and communication capabilities of the animals living among us ? The animals that many of us refer to as part of the family.
That just might be the case.
Inspired by her work as a Speech Language Pathologist, Christina Hunger created a makeshift AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) device for her dog Stella after bringing her home in 2018. Consisting of multiple recordable buttons in which Christina recorded words like “OUTSIDE” and “PLAY,” Stella learned to communicate her needs and experiences by pressing buttons. A quickly viral sensation, Christina inspired a community of animal lovers to embark on similar journeys with their own pets.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
AAC includes various communication methods intended to supplement or replace traditional speech & written language. It’s used by individuals with speech and language disorders, including conditions like Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and ALS. Steven Hawking, a notable theoretical physicist, used a speech generation device, a high-tech form of AAC. AAC includes a wide range of techniques and tools, including advanced electronic systems to low-tech cardboard picture boards.
Augmentative Interspecies Communication (AIC)
Similar to AAC tools used for human communication, AIC strategies allow humans to interact with other species, such as dogs and cats, via communication devices. While there has been some research using AIC devices, the current popularity is primarily fueled by the social media success of Christina & Stella and other prominent button users like Bunny and Billi.
It’s not just all internet fad, however. Research is underway at the Comparative Cognition Lab at UCSD.
What are buttons and sounds boards?
A button is a recordable sound button that an animal can press to communicate their needs, wants, or thoughts. Buttons are typically kept on a soundboard, often made of hexagon-shaped interlocking tiles. Similar to a keyboard, the soundboard houses all the learner's buttons or ‘words.’ There are different types of buttons and boards available, but Fluent.Pet is leading the pack with their variety of button styles and the app-enabled board called the Connect.
Why teach an animal AIC?
Button communication allows animals to have a voice. They can communicate their needs, thoughts, feelings, and sometimes even advanced concepts like time. AIC can also be an enriching and mentally stimulating activity, improving overall health and wellness.
For us, buttons have allowed us to have a much deeper and more meaningful connection with our dog Ripley. The buttons serve to augment his natural communication and only serve to help us understand him better.
Further Reading
Use of Augmentative Interspecies Communication devices in animal language studies: A review
How Stella Learned to Talk by Christina Hunger
