Earlier this year, an emotional support peacock was denied a flight on a United Airlines plane. That's right - a peacock! But that's hardly the most unusual animal-human bond out there. 

National Geographic has always been invested in telling the stories of animals and how we share this world together, and now they're taking a closer look at the special, personal connections between people and their animal companions. And we mean true “companions.” They're asking, what other unusual therapy animals are helping people in your community? 

National Geographic is interested in hearing about the relationships between people and animals that are mutually beneficial, where bonds may form officially as in therapy animals, or otherwise organically in uncommon ways. We want to tell the stories of human's relations to their animal kin. It is National Geographic’s hope that with these stories of compassion and respect for wildlife, we can elevate the public’s appreciation for these creatures and their impact on human lives, while inspiring awe and love for the animal kingdom.

What you need to know:

• These must be true stories featuring real people with a current and unusual human-animal bond. No actors.
• Pets are acceptable, if especially poignant, but we'd encourage you to look outside of traditional animal relationships. Either way, the animal must be a true contributor to a person’s well-being. 
• Story submissions must include a 500-character (or less) summary, where this person is based, along with a photo of the participating individual, and their animal. You also have an option to upload a supporting video of the individual, as well as an optional biography.
• The person from the submitted Story, if selected, may be featured in a short documentary-style video, 2-4 minutes in length.
• Any animal is acceptable, but note that the treatment of this animal should be consistent with National Geographic's long-standing interest in animal welfare and conservation. Causing harm or undue stress to animal subjects in the course of production is not acceptable. The use and handling of captive and domesticated animals must conform to accepted standards of legal, ethical, and humane treatment. All necessary permits for filming and/or handling animals should be obtained in advance of filming.

 If you are submitting YOUR own story:

• For submitting a winning Story on your own behalf you will receive a $500 award. 
• You may be contacted at a later date to appear in an authentic stories video. If National Geographic chooses to move forward with video production and would like you to appear in the video, you will need to sign a Story Cooperation Agreement, and you will receive an additional $250 for your participation. If National Geographic elects not to adapt your Story as a video, there will be no additional compensation beyond this award.
• Please submit your contact information (phone number, address, and email) along with your submission.
• If National Geographic chooses to move forward with video production and would like you to appear in a video, you will need to sign a Story Cooperation Agreement. Additional compensation, if any, for appearing in the video will be determined between you and the Pitch winning filmmaker."

 If you are submitting someone else’s story:

• For submitting a winning Story on someone else’s behalf you will receive $100 of the $500 award. The Story subject will receive $400.
• The Story Subject may be contacted at a later date to appear in an authentic stories video. If National Geographic chooses to move forward with video production and would like the Story Subject to appear in the video, both you and the Story Subject will need to sign a Story Cooperation Agreement, and the Story Subject will receive an additional $250 for their participation. If National Geographic elects not to adapt the Story as a video, there will be no additional compensation beyond this award.
• Please submit your contact information (phone number, address, and email) along with your submission.

 Check out more below...

The goal of this project is to find compelling authentic stories featuring real people with an unusual animal-human bond.  Please keep in mind that we are looking for more than a pet, but a true contributor to a person’s well-being.  An especially poignant canine companion could be considered; however, we encourage you to explore stories across all species and walks of life. 

--Tone: 

Awe-inspiring, uplifting, positive, insightful, educational, unique, innovative. We're not looking for something overly emotional like content that lives on The Dodo or Buzzfeed.

--Target Audience: 

The everyday animal lovers and their close friends and family.  Consider that when people are engaged with animals (physically or virtually), they are exploring.  They have a deep connection to animals, coming to life through a rainbow of emotions, including surprise, empathy, fear and adorableness.  This audience comes to National Geographic for credible viral videos, thoughtful perspectives and to see never-before-seen creatures and their unique and inspiring traits and behavior.  This audience loves showing their social circle what’s moved them about animals, and often celebrates this in their own lives through having pets or activism.

This Project will be worth a total of $2,500 and consists of One Phase: A Story Phase.  Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

PHASE 1: STORY – Submit your Story in 500 characters or less. All Story submissions MUST include where this person is based, along with a photo of the participating individual, and their animal. You also have an option to upload a supporting video of the individual, as well as an optional biography, though neither is required. Winners may be subject to a background check. The top three (3) winning Story submissions will receive $500 each. 

1. Unless provided otherwise, all work must be your own original creation and free of any copyrighted material. You shall provide detailed information of your work regarding the source, the creator and background information as requested by Tongal.

2. BY SUBMITTING AN ENTRY, YOUR SUBMISSION IMMEDIATELY BECOMES THE SOLE PROPERTY OF TONGAL OR ITS ASSIGNEES – SEE OFFICIAL RULES FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT OWNERSHIP OF ENTRIES. YOU MAY NOT PUBLICLY SHARE OR PUBLISH YOUR SUBMISSION IN ANY MANNER AND YOU MAY NOT POST OR UPLOAD YOUR SUBMISSION TO ANY WEBSITE OR VIDEO HOSTING SITE (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE OR VIMEO), WITHOUT THE PRIOR EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF TONGAL. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION OF YOUR ENTRY IN THE PROJECT.

3. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.

4. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.

5. By submitting to this project, you acknowledge that your work may become subject to public voting on the Tongal site. Public voting may be used to help the project sponsor determine the final rank order.

6. Limit 5 submissions per member.

7. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or old. 

8. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest at their discretion.

9. Winners must submit the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment.

10. See OFFICIAL RULES for additional contest information, terms and conditions. If there is any conflict or inconsistency between these requirements and the Official Rules, the terms and conditions of these requirements shall prevail.