Our objectives

We support non-profit projects and non-profit organizations only; our objectives are to educate and/or involve animals in order to help people or other animals or nature in general.

The best known representatives for these kind of projects are the guide dogs for visually impaired persons. Some dogs can be very helpful partners in anti-poaching or other activities. Actually a whole range of animals can be deployed for a variety of activities.
For instance rats can be trained to detect tuberculosis; whilst in other countries rats are trained and deployed to detect land mines.

Chicken, horses, donkeys, lamas are good partners for different activities.

The alpha omega foundation is working on an international basis. We choose projects and organizations matching our objectives and we evaluate their impact on society and environment.

The alpha omega foundation is also supporting research projects which lead to new findings in the field of «animals support people or nature»

Projects requiring the collaboration with/of people/NGOs/institutions/organizations within Switzerland and internationally can be supported.

The foundation is a non profit organization. Capital and earnings are used solely for the objectives of the foundation.

The alpha omega foundation is freed from taxes according to Swiss law.

Vision of the alpha omega foundation

To start with, we love and respect animals. All animals.

Out of experience and based on research of others the founder of aof is convinced that animals are quite underestimated and under-valued. Most animals have skills and abilities that we don’t have as human beings. Some animals excel in detecting and identifying smells. Others are particularly good at hearing. Most animals are brilliant observers, also of human beings. And quite a few have a good sense for how we feel.

On top animals don’t judge us. They don’t care if we are good looking, smart, rich, educated or not. They care how we care for them.

Quite a few studies have shown how smart animals are and that they display empathy. A few species are excellent at collaborating, and being a team player with us.

In November 2023 some researchers published their findings that different groups of bonobos were displaying cooperation amongst two different groups. This is quite extraordinary.

This shows how much we underestimate animals and how much we don’t know about them.

See attached list of books and publications describing some of the above mentioned topics. Based on the statements above, we do believe that animals can be involved in activities supporting human beings and in reaching a better quality of life. This is already being achieved, amongst others by guide dogs, alert dogs, etc.. There is much room for improvement and new ideas.

The same is valid if we look how animals can support other animals or nature.

Here a couple of examples:

  • Animals for the benefit of human beings: The classic example is the guide dog for visually impaired persons.
  • Animals for the benefit of other animals: all kind of anti-poaching dogs.
  • Animals for the benefit of nature: one of the best example is the reintegration of wolves in the Yellowstone Park.

We from aof want to build on what is already existing and take it further from there.

We are interested in projects that brings people, animals and nature a better future.

We believe in involving animals in our lives to reach a better quality of life and in the protection of other animals and nature.

Very obviously those activities must respect the animal rights and make sure that all aspects of animal well-being are not only considered but also applied.

We are happy to discuss potential projects with their respective creators. Research projects leading to new potential involvement of animals are also considered.

Literature:

  • 12 Birds to Save Your Life; Charlie Corbett; ISBN 978-1-405-94921-7
  • The Age of Empathy; Frans de Waal; ISBN 978-0-307-40777-1
  • Beyond Words; Carl Safina; ISBN 978-1-250-09459-9
  • Animals Make Us Human; Temple Grandin & Catherine Johnson; ISBN 978-0-15-101489-7; ISBN 978-0-547-24823-3 (pbk.)
  • Rabenschwarze Intelligenz; Josef H. Reichholf; ISBN 978-3-492-25915-6
  • Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?; Frans de Waal; ISBN 978-0-393-35366-2 (pbk.)
  • Tiergestützte Intervention mit Eulen, Greifvögeln und Falken; Verena Dibowsky; ISBN 978-3-96146-775-4 (Print); ISBN 9789-3-96146-275-9 (PDF eBook)
  • Tiere mit denen wir leben; Mandy Giruc; ISBN 978-3-89993-274-4 (Print); ISBN 978-3-8426-8310-5 (PDF eBook)