Assessing the Dog: A Theoretical Analysis of the Companion Animal’s Actions in Human-Animal Interactions

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Coley Vitztum ◽  
Julie Urbanik
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Analysis ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Objective Measurement ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Current Role ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Animal Interaction ◽  
Potential Methods

Companion animals are proposed as valuable assets in human-animal interaction (hai) for human-health interventions. The benefit of ahaiis presumably based on the interaction between the two species. Although the actions and reactions of the human are routinely evaluated, nominal consideration is given to the influence of the nonhuman animal’s actions in the interaction as well as in the outcome of the intervention despite evidence in studies demonstrating the cognitive, emotional, and physical capabilities of the animal. The attributes of the dog and the current role of the dog in animal-assisted therapy (aat) are presented in this theoretical analysis as the foundation for assessment of the animal inhaifor human-health interventions. Rationale for the legitimacy of the dog (animal) as a subjective participant and potential methods of objective measurement for the dog as a participant inaatandhaiare discussed.

scholarly journals The Influence of Human–Animal Interactions on Mental and Physical Health during the First COVID-19 Lockdown Phase in the U.K.: A Qualitative Exploration

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Shoesmith ◽  
Lion Shahab ◽  
Dimitra Kale ◽  
Daniel S. Mills ◽  
Catherine Reeve ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Human Animal Interaction ◽  
Animal Interaction ◽  
The Impact

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presents an opportunity to explore the role of animals as sources of emotional and physical support during a period when most of the population is experiencing social and environmental challenges. We investigated how companion animal owners perceived the influence of human–animal interaction on their physical and mental health during the first COVID-19 lockdown phase in the U.K., and what concerns they had regarding their animals at this time. We also explored the impact of participants’ interaction with non-companion animals during this phase. A cross-sectional online survey of U.K. residents aged over 18 was conducted between April and June 2020. The final item of the survey invited open-ended free-text responses, allowing participants to describe any experiences and/or perceptions of their human–animal relationships during the COVID-19 lockdown phase. A qualitative thematic analysis of responses was undertaken. Four main themes related to the following aspects of human–animal interactions during the COVID-19 lockdown phase were identified: the positive impact of animal ownership during the COVID-19 lockdown (e.g., amelioration of wellbeing and mental health), concerns relating to animal ownership during the COVID-19 lockdown (e.g., concerns over animals carrying the COVID-19 virus), grief and loss of an animal during the COVID-19 lockdown and the impact of engaging with non-companion animals during the COVID-19 lockdown. The findings complement and extend previous insights into the impact of human–animal interaction with both companion and non-companion animals. They also highlight the challenges of caring for an animal during the lockdown phase and indicate the need to consider the development of further targeted support strategies, such as “day care” for the companion animals of key workers in this context.

scholarly journals Companion animals and disasters: The role of Human Services Organisations

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 100-108
Author(s):  
John Darroch ◽  
Carole Adamson
Keyword(s):  
Human Services ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Disaster Planning ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Conceptual Base ◽  
Ethical Imperative ◽  
Loss And Grief ◽  
Human Animal Bond ◽  
Human Animal

INTRODUCTION: Companion animals have often been treated as an afterthought, or ignored, by those involved in planning for and responding to disasters. This omission in planning for the needs of companion animals has been predicated upon a failure to recognise the emotional bond between many people and their companion animals. This has resulted in significant costs for humans and animals in many disasters. This article serves to raise issues regarding the responsibilities of human service organisations (HSOs) for animal-inclusive disaster risk reduction (DRR).METHOD: This article develops a conceptual base for the consideration of the inclusion of animals in disaster planning and response within human services organisations. By first establishing the legitimacy of the human–animal bond and the requirement for human services organisations to develop their disaster planning, an exploration of the literature explores the rationale for the inclusion of companion animals within DRR.FINDINGS AND IMPLICATIONS: A clearly demonstrated relationship between DRR and the presence of companion animals is evidenced within the literature. Delays in evacuation due to the lack of facilities for companion animals, the loss and grief experienced by those forced to abandon their animals, and the particular vulnerabilities of those living in isolation or in homeless situations attest to the importance of animal-inclusive planning. Those living with animals may be more inclined to commit to DRR if the needs of their animals are included in planning. A mandate for organisational and professional responsibility for the inclusion of companion animals is established.CONCLUSION: For effective DRR, human services organisations have a professional and ethical imperative to include companion animals in their disaster planning and response. 

scholarly journals Does cat attachment have an effect on human health? A comparison between owners and volunteers

2016 ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filipa A.B.S.G. Dinis ◽  
Thais Lima Fernandes Martins
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Diastolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Font Size ◽  
Reduce Heart Rate ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Animal Interaction ◽  
Positive Effect

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS Mincho'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-no-proof: yes;">Cat owners and volunteers from a rehoming centre were given the Lexington Attachment to Pet Scale (LAPS) questionnaire to assess their level of attachment to their own or rescue cats. In addition, heart rate and blood pressure were measured 10 minutes before, during, and after spending time with the cats. Consistent with other studies, the results here show that spending time with a cat can reduce heart rate and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and that this reduction is generally more pronounced in the cats’ owners rather than in volunteers from a cat rehoming centre. For owners, levels of attachment as measured by the LAPS scale were positively associated with this reduction in metabolic measurements before and during pet presence; i.e. the difference (B-D) was positively correlated with the level of attachment. This was not observed for volunteers. Interestingly, however, reported levels of attachment were not significantly different between owners and volunteers. For owners, duration of ownership had a positive effect on the level of attachment reported and this effect increased sharply after two plus years of ownership. This contribution to Human Animal Interaction (HAI) research suggests that attachment is an important factor in promoting health benefits to owners.</span>

scholarly journals Rethinking human-animal relations: The critical role of social psychology

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 769-784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristof Dhont ◽  
Gordon Hodson ◽  
Steve Loughnan ◽  
Catherine E. Amiot
Keyword(s):  
Social Psychology ◽  
Intergroup Relations ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Social Psychological ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Social Psychological Research ◽  
Human Animal

People deeply value their social bonds with companion animals, yet routinely devalue other animals, considering them mere commodities to satisfy human interests and desires. Despite the inherently social and intergroup nature of these complexities, social psychology is long overdue in integrating human-animal relations in its theoretical frameworks. The present body of work brings together social psychological research advancing our understanding of: 1) the factors shaping our perceptions and thinking about animals as social groups, 2) the complexities involved in valuing (caring) and devaluing (exploiting) animals, and 3) the implications and importance of human-animal relations for human intergroup relations. In this article, we survey the diversity of research paradigms and theoretical frameworks developed within the intergroup relations literature that are relevant, perchance critical, to the study of human-animal relations. Furthermore, we highlight how understanding and rethinking human-animal relations will eventually lead to a more comprehensive understanding of many human intergroup phenomena.

Identification of Helminth Parasites from Selar crumenophthalmus in Grenada, West Indies

2019 ◽  
Vol 82 (7) ◽  
pp. 1244-1248 ◽  
Author(s):  
NAUDIA S. DUNDAS ◽  
DANIEL M. FITZPATRICK ◽  
JOHN S. McKIBBEN ◽  
VICTOR A. AMADI ◽  
RHONDA D. PINCKNEY
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Fragment Length Polymorphism ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Infected Fish ◽  
Parasitic Nematodes ◽  
Polymorphism Analysis ◽  
Helminth Parasites ◽  
Internal Organs ◽  
Future Studies

ABSTRACT Grenada is a tropical island country reliant on local fish for food and export. Specifically, Selar crumenophthalmus, known locally as jacks or bigeye scad, is commonly consumed by residents and visitors to the island. To date, there are no data about the prevalence of different helminths in S. crumenophthalmus in Grenada. In particular, it was unknown if Anisakis, a genus containing parasitic nematodes, implicated in both fish and human disease, is of concern for local fish and human health. In this study, 39 samples of S. crumenophthalmus were dissected and assessed for helminth infection. Of these fish, 26 (67%) contained helminths in and around the internal organs (mean, 3.6 helminths per infected fish). DNA was extracted from each helminth, followed by PCR, restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, or Sanger sequencing or a combination of them to identify the parasites. Results confirmed that 89 (96%) of 93 helminths identified were Anisakis typica, and the remaining four helminths were likely acanthocephalans. Neither is considered pathogenic to humans, livestock, or companion animals. To our knowledge, this is the first report of either type of helminth in fish in Grenada. Future studies are needed to ascertain the role of A. typica and acanthocephalans in fish health in Grenada, including any association with observed fish kills. Additional studies are also needed to identify other helminths found in S. crumenophtalamus, which may be of importance to its health and also human health. HIGHLIGHTS

Battered Women and Their Animal Companions: Symbolic Interaction Between Human and Nonhuman Animals

2000 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-127
Author(s):  
Clifton P. Flynnl
Keyword(s):  
Battered Women ◽  
Symbolic Interaction ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Women's Shelter ◽  
Nonhuman Animals ◽  
Battered Women's Shelter ◽  
Animal Interaction ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractOnly recently have sociologists considered the role of nonhuman animals in human society.The few studies undertaken of battered women and their animal companions have revealed high rates of animal abuse co-existing with domestic violence.This study examines several aspects of the relationship between humans and animals in violent homes.The study explored the role of companion animals in the abusive relationship through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with clients at a battered women's shelter. In particular, the study focused on the use of companion animals by women's violent partners to control, hurt, and intimidate the women; the responses of the animals to the women's victimization; and the role of pets as human surrogates and the resulting symbolic interaction between human and nonhuman family members. The significance of the findings for family violence research and application are discussed, as well as the broader implications for sociological investigation of human-animal interaction.

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