scholarly journals The New Status Quo: Enhancing Access to Human–Animal Interactions to Alleviate Social Isolation & Loneliness in the Time of COVID-19

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2769
Author(s):  
Zenithson Ng ◽  
Taylor Chastain Griffin ◽  
Lindsey Braun
Keyword(s):  
Companion Animals ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Public Places ◽  
Therapy Animals ◽  
Human Animal Bond ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Staying At Home ◽  
New Strategies

Access to human–animal interactions (HAI) have been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Service animals that were trained and accustomed to daily access to public places had to adjust to staying at home. Therapy animals and their handlers who previously visited with many of the populations most vulnerable to the virus have had to halt their programming. Professionals who utilize animal-assisted interventions (AAI) have had to develop new strategies for providing goal-oriented care. Even the landscape for companion animals has been significantly altered, leading to behavioral changes and new practices for pet owners and veterinarians. While animals and their human companions face new challenges, our recognition of the power of the human–animal bond (HAB) has grown, as it provides a vital need for connection during this time of isolation. In this paper, we will not only focus on describing the new status quo related to various kinds of animals and the public’s access to HAI, but will also offer suggestions for sharing the human–animal bond during a time in which physical connections are limited. Organizational insights from the service and therapy animal fields will be explored, and findings related to the auspiciousness of new initiatives, such as animal-related engagement (ARE), will be presented. Recommendations for people who share their lives with any of these kinds of animals will be made to ensure both human and animal welfare. Finally, future research and best practices will be suggested, so we can empirically understand and develop these revised offerings to ultimately bring HAI to a wider audience than ever before.

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. 

The Human–Animal Bond and Grief and Loss: Implications for Social Work Practice

2021 ◽  
pp. 104438942110151
Author(s):  
Ellen E. Whipple
Keyword(s):  
Support Groups ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Grief And Loss ◽  
Disenfranchised Grief ◽  
Human Animal Bond ◽  
Human Animal

The human–animal bond (HAB) is a powerful emotional attachment which often elevates pets to the status of a family member. Because companion animals typically live much shorter lives than humans, grief and loss is a problem that is frequently encountered. Disenfranchised grief over the loss of a companion animal is an area that is often overlooked by mental health professionals. Sife has developed a model for the stages of grief and loss specific to companion animals. Questions about pets should be a part of every initial assessment done on a client. Effective interventions include understanding the significance of the HAB and grief and loss; bibliotherapy; psychoeducation; the importance of rituals; and the use of pet loss support groups.

scholarly journals Environmental Aspects of Domestic Cat Care and Management: Implications for Cat Welfare

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith L. Stella ◽  
Candace C. Croney
Keyword(s):  
Companion Animals ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Felis Silvestris ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Environmental Aspects ◽  
Felis Silvestris Catus ◽  
Human Animal Bond ◽  
The Us ◽  
Large Populations ◽  
Human Animal

Domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) are the most commonly kept companion animals in the US with large populations of owned (86 million), free-roaming (70 million), research (13,000), and shelter (2-3 million) cats. Vast numbers of cats are maintained in homes and other facilities each year and are reliant on humans for all of their care. Understanding cat behavior and providing the highest quality environments possible, including positive human-cat interactions, based on research could help improve the outcomes of biomedical research, shelter adoptions, and veterinary care, as well as overall cat welfare. Often, however, cats’ needs are inadequately met in homes and some aspects may also not be well met in research colonies and shelters, despite the fact that similar problems are likely to be encountered in all of these environments. This paper provides a brief overview of common welfare challenges associated with indoor housing of domestic cats. Essential considerations for cage confinement are reviewed, along with implications of poor cat coping, such as weakening of the human-animal bond and relinquishment to shelters. The important role that environmental management plays in cat behavior and welfare outcomes is explored along with the need for additional research in key areas.

scholarly journals PARTICIPATION IN AN INTERGENERATIONAL SERVICE-LEARNING COURSE AND IMPLICIT BIASES

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S201-S201
Author(s):  
Lori Kogan ◽  
Lori Kogan ◽  
Regina Schoenfeld-Tacher ◽  
James Oxley
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Implicit Attitudes ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Pet Owners ◽  
Human Animal Bond ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Biases against older adults and people with disabilities can lead to discriminatory behaviors. One way to better understand attitudes towards these populations is through the examination of implicit (unconscious) factors. This paper utilizes The Implicit Association Test, a computer-based categorization task designed to assess implicit or unconscious attitudes, to assess the impact of an intergenerational service-learning course created to support the human animal bond between vulnerable pet owners and their companion animals. This study, using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, assessed the impact of college students’ interactions with older pet owners on these students’ implicit attitudes. Pre- and post-assessment of participating students found statistically significant decreased biases towards older people and people with disabilities after completing the course (p=.032). Results from this study suggest that participating in an intergenerational service-learning course centered around the human animal bond can positively affect implicit attitudes towards older adults or people with disabilities.

The Human-Animal Bond and Self Psychology: Toward a New Understanding

2004 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue-Ellen Brown
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Self Psychology ◽  
Nonhuman Animal ◽  
Human Animal Bond ◽  
Unique Model ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Future Direction ◽  
And Function

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to introduce and define self psychology and its concepts (self and selfobject) so that they can be applied toward a new understanding of the human-nonhuman animal bond. The paper utilizes selected literature from both self psychology and the human-animal bond fields. The paper contains four primary conclusions: 1. Self psychology provides a unique model for understanding the depth and meaning of human-animal relationships; 2. Companion animals and humans can be equally important in their selfobject roles; 3. Self psychology can offer a model for understanding individual differences in attachment to companion animals; and 4. A future direction includes finding ways to assess self psychology constructs in order to measure the depth and function of the selfobject relationship.

scholarly journals A Moveable Beast: Subjective Influence of Human-Animal Relationships on Risk Perception, and Risk Behaviour during Bushfire Threat

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Trigg ◽  
Kirrilly Thompson ◽  
Bradley Smith ◽  
Pauleen Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Absolute Risk ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Risk Behaviour ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Risk Framing

This article examines how human-animal connections influence risk perception and behaviour in companion animal guardians exposed to bushfire threat in Australia. Although the objective role of psychological bonds with companion animals is well accepted by researchers, subjective interpretations of these bonds by animal guardians are relatively underexamined in this context. We argue that the ways in which connections with pets and other animals are represented influences different forms of safety-risk perception and behaviour when managing animals’ safety in the face of disaster threat. Thematic analysis of 21 semi-structured interviews with South Australian residents in bushfire-affected areas supported the role of the human-animal bond in shaping risk perception, and influencing engagement in risk-behaviour. Influential factors included animals’ “life value,” “relative versus absolute” risk framing, the “constellation of bonds,” and “action paralysis” when facing threat. Implications for future research in decision-making and risk propensities of animal guardians facing disaster threat alongside their pets are then discussed.

Sex, Childhood Pets and Young Adults' Self-Concept Scores

1997 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 371-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert H. Poresky
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
University Students ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Companion Animal ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Human Animal Bond ◽  
Sex Type ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Main Effects ◽  
Tennessee Self Concept Scale

The Tennessee Self-concept Scale and Companion Animal Bonding Scale were administered to 394 university students to determine the influence of pets on adults' self-concept scores. No significant main effects of sex, type of companion animal, or human-animal bond were found. Significant interactions, but no main effects were found for those who listed only dogs or cats as their most important childhood pet. The interaction of childhood pet by sex indicated that boys with dogs and girls with cats had higher scores and girls with dogs and boys with cats had lower self-concept scores. These results support the hypothesis that children's relationships with companion animals are linked to their adult self-concept scores in a complex interactive manner rather than as direct simple effects.

scholarly journals Risks Associated with Animal-Assisted Intervention Programs: A Literature Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn R. Dalton ◽  
Kaitlin B. Waite ◽  
Kathy Ruble ◽  
Karen C. Carroll ◽  
Alexandra DeLone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Adjunctive Treatment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
List Type ◽  
Zoonotic Pathogen ◽  
Therapy Animals

AbstractThe benefits of animal-assisted interventions (AAI), to utilize companion animals as an adjunctive treatment modality, is well-established and a burgeoning research field. However, few studies have evaluated the potential hazards of these programs, such as the potential for therapy animals to transfer hospital-associated pathogens between individuals and the hospital environment. Here we review the current literature on the possible risks of hospital-based AAI programs, including zoonotic pathogen transmission. We identified twenty-nine articles encompassing reviews of infection control guidelines and epidemiological studies on zoonotic pathogen prevalence in AAI. We observed substantial heterogeneity in infection control practices among hospital AAI programs. Few data confirmed pathogen transmission between therapy animals and patients. Given AAI’s known benefits, we recommend that future research utilize a One Health framework to evaluate microbial dynamics among therapy animals, patients, and hospital environments. This framework may best promote safe practices to ensure the sustainability of these valuable AAI programs.HighlightsDespite the many benefits of animal-assisted interventions (AAI) for patients, there is a risk of therapy animals becoming vectors of hospital pathogens.There is an absence of literature on transmission of hospital pathogens between patients and therapy animals during an AAI session.More research is needed to improve the safety and utilization of this important adjunctive therapy.

A Longitudinal Study of the Human-animal Bond as Described in Childrens' Literature

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara R. Staats ◽  
Elizabeth Caldwell ◽  
William Mcelhaney ◽  
Lance Garmon ◽  
Tyra Ross ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Human Animal Bond ◽  
Human Animal
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