Jessica Pierce

Jessica Pierce is a bioethicist, philosopher, and writer interested in how humans live with other animals—and how we might learn to live with them differently. Her books and essays explore animal ethics, human-animal relationships, and the moral questions that arise in the ordinary, intimate places where human and animal lives meet. Her work asks what we owe other animals and what it means to live responsibly in a more-than-human world.

Follow my blog, All Dogs Go to Heaven, on Psychology Today.

Current affiliation

Faculty Affiliate with the Center for Bioethics and Humanities, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Educational background 

  • Ph.D. University of Virginia, Department of Religious Studies

  • M.T.S., Harvard Divinity School

  • B.A., Scripps College

Working together

Writing & Public Work

  • Jessica's books and articles explore animal ethics, human-animal relationships, and the moral lives of other animals.

  • Her writing has appeared in publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, TIME, Scientific American, New Scientist, and Aeon. She has also written extensively for Psychology Today, where her blog All Dogs Go to Heaven has reached millions of readers.

  • Her books have been translated into multiple languages and include Wild Justice, The Last Walk, Run, Spot, Run, Unleashing Your Dog, A Dog’s World, Dogpedia, and Who’s a Good Dog? Her forthcoming book, Who’s a Good Human?, will be available in November, 2026.

Possible Interview Topics

  • What does it mean to live well with a dog? Moving beyond obedience and behavior toward curiosity, collaboration, communication, and care. 

  • Who needs training—the dog or the human? Why becoming a better companion may require humans to change their own habits and expectations. 

  • The ethics of keeping animals as companions. What do animals need from us, and what obligations come with bringing another species into our homes? 

  • Freedom and agency in the lives of companion animals. How much choice do dogs have, and how can we create more meaningful opportunities for agency within the constraints of human care? 

  • What would a genuinely dog-centered life look like? Rethinking everyday practices—from walking and socializing to housing, enrichment, veterinary care, aging, and end-of-life decisions.

Interested in collaborating with Jessica on your next podcast, documentary or speaking engagement?

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