Hmong
There are approximately 103,000 foreign-born Hmong now living in the U.S.; there are ~66,000 Hmong in Minnesota, and the Twin Cities metro is home to the largest concentration of Hmong in America.
The Hmong people are an ethnic group that originated in the mountainous regions of China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. They have a rich cultural heritage and have traditionally relied on animals for a variety of purposes. In agriculture settings, they have traditionally relied on water buffalos, cows, horses, and oxen to plow fields and carry heavy loads. Hmong also raise pigs and chickens in as large numbers, and buffalo and cattle graze in the surrounding forest and abandoned fields with little care or supervision.
Hmong hunt wild game and fish in rivers and streams. The Hmong people use animal hides and furs to make clothing, shoes, and hats. They also use animal hair to make brushes and brooms. This hunting culture led to the development of the Hmong Dog, one of the rarer Asian dog breeds. Therefore, there is some history of Hmong owning dogs as pets.
The Hmong people have a long history of using animal products for medicinal purposes. They use animal bones, horns, and other parts to make traditional medicines and remedies. The Hmong people have animistic beliefs, and animals play a significant role in their spiritual practices. They believe that certain animals have special powers and use them in rituals and ceremonies.