Aysha Akhtar

Aysha Akhtar is an American neurologist, public health specialist, and animal rights advocate who has served in senior roles at the US Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Defense. Her work explores the deep connections between human and animal welfare. Our Symphony with Animals is a compelling and compassionate examination of the bond between humans and animals, arguing that our treatment of animals is inextricably linked to our own health, wellbeing, and moral development. Akhtar draws on neuroscience, personal experience, and case studies to show how empathy toward animals reflects and strengthens our empathy toward one another. The book was praised for its scientific rigour, its storytelling, and the power of its central argument: that caring for animals is not separate from caring for people, but an essential part of it. Our Symphony with Animals is available as an audiobook alongside the print edition, offering listeners a thought-provoking and deeply humane way to explore the connections between human and animal welfare.