The point, however, is – even without that, even in the best case scenario where military dogs are truly cared for and about, before, during, and after service, respected, treated as equal, awarded and celebrated as equal, mourned as equal (and I believe this scenario is generally the case), even then the question remains: should they ever be there in the first place?

It may often seem that the public are presented with a choice between either a more interesting but less factual journalistic style, or a more accurate, and objective, but less engrossing scientific style. However, the public currently have access to science communication which comes directly from the scientists themselves, and is just as captivating and engrossing as any media sensationalism.

In these following three case studies, science communication has directly influenced, and continues to influence, matters that are far from trivial: the education of America’s children; global policy on the planet’s future; and the life or death of people (born and unborn) caught up in South Africa’s AIDS epidemic.

A carefully and professionally made decision. An entirely humane euthanasia. An educational opportunity for people of all ages. An economical and efficient use of animal meat. If you are able to take those four sentences and cause widespread controversy, then you may just have a future in the media.