Animal Bond Research Articles

Exploring the human-bearded dragon animal bond: A qualitative content analysis of Reddit posts

Abstract The impact of companion animals on humans has been extensively investigated. Previous and current literature has overwhelmingly focused on traditional companion animals, such as cats and dogs. Despite many individuals living with non-traditional companion animals, the research surrounding the impact they have on our lives remains understudied in comparison to traditional companion animals. Bearded dragons are currently the most popular type of reptiles as non-traditional companion animals, yet the perceived biopsychosocial impacts they may have on individuals remain relatively unexplored. The present study aimed to answer the following research questions: (1) What topics do people post to a subreddit forum dedicated to bearded dragon guardians? and (2) What do posts to the bearded dragon subreddit forum suggest about the human-bearded dragon bond? The website Reddit was systematically searched for relevant online subreddit communities targeted toward people with bearded dragons. Posts made by individuals to the chosen subreddit were collected. A conventional qualitative content analysis was performed on 2903 posts, producing five overarching categories: (1) The human-animal bond between bearded dragons and humans; (2) Use of bearded dragon Reddit forum; (3) Health and medical concerns; (4) Psychological effects; and (5) Social effects. Findings provide insight into how individuals with bearded dragons used and engaged with the online Reddit forum as well as how they reported the human-bearded dragon animal bond. The novel findings reported in this study warrant further research to explore the unique bonds formed between humans and non-traditional companion animals, including further investigation regarding bearded dragons and the various effects they may have on human life.

Affective Regulation and Trait Anger Personalities: The Buffering Effect of the Companion Animal Bond.

Emotional dysregulation involving anger can have severe consequences on the individual's psychosocial and emotional functioning. This study aimed to investigate the role that the companion animal bond and the personality dimension of trait anger play in explaining affective dysregulation. A cross-sectional online survey was administered to 365 participants. Using the PROCESS macro for SPSS, a moderated model was tested to analyze the hypothesis that affective dysregulation depends on trait anger and that the companion animal bond moderates the relationship between trait anger and affective dysregulation. The results showed that the effect of trait anger on affective dysregulation increases especially when the degree of bonding to an animal companion is low, suggesting that a strong bond to a companion animal may protect individuals with trait anger from the likelihood of experiencing affective regulation problems. The psychological, health-related, and educational implications of the current anthrozoological study include the potential of the human-animal bond in acting as a facilitator of adaptive affective regulation processes, which can reduce the levels of uncontrolled anger-related emotions and the subsequent risk of out-of-control behaviors.

Pet attachment and prosocial attitude toward humans: the mediating role of empathy to animals.

Attachment relationships are widely recognized as influential in increasing prosocial tendencies, with existing literature indicating that human attachment can increase empathetic processes, thereby potentially facilitating prosocial behavior. Given that pets frequently fulfill the criteria for attachment figures, this study investigates whether the observed associations among human attachment, empathy, and prosocial attitudes extend to human-animal interactions (HAI). This study examines the relationship between pet attachment, animal empathy, and prosocial attitudes toward humans. The study hypothesizes that animal empathy mediates the association between pet attachment and prosocial attitudes. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 343 Filipino participants, predominantly consisting of single female young adults with college education backgrounds. Participants completed a battery of assessments including the Contemporary Companion Animal Bonding Scale (CCABS), the Animal Empathy Scale (AES), and the Prosocialness Scale for Adults (PSA). Aligned with our hypothesis, our study reveals that animal empathy plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between pet attachment and attitudes toward humans. We found that stronger pet attachment correlates positively with heightened animal empathy, subsequently leading to elevated levels of prosocial attitudes. Our findings prompt discussions on implications for understanding human-animal relationships and suggest avenues for future research exploration.

A Scoping Review of the Risks Posed by Companion Animals to Older Adults

ABSTRACT Research has reported on positive aspects of pet guardianship to reduce physical and mental health issues in older adults (over the age of 65 years). There is, however, a need to be cognizant of the risks that pertain to companion animal guardianship. The aim of this scoping review was to systematically identify literature regarding the risks that companion animal guardianship may pose to older adults to facilitate greater understanding and inclusion of pets in the lives of older adults. Using online databases (Scopus, ProQuest, and Google Scholar), systematic searches were conducted. From 11,868 articles, 26 were included in the final data synthesis. The type of risk reported was categorized into three groups (zoonotic, physical, and psychological), with the worst outcomes reported being fatal, potentially fatal, and severe, respectively. Very little literature for pet species other than dogs and cats were identified. Whilst further research is required to fully quantify the risks that arise from the cohabitation of pets and older adults, there is enough evidence for older adults to be safely engaging with pets and hence continue to benefit from the human–animal bond.

Unleashing insights from Toronto Humane Society’s urgent care fostering program: a community case report

The Urgent Care (UC) fostering program at the Toronto Humane Society (THS) supports individuals experiencing crisis situations (housing instability, fleeing interpersonal violence, or undergoing healthcare treatments), by providing a no-cost fostering service for their animal(s). All applications to THS’s UC program between January 1, 2020 and October 1, 2022 and all successful admissions to the program during this period were included in this study. There were 358 admissions of 328 unique animals, from 244 families. Seventy-four percent (n = 265) of admitted animals were reunited with their owner. The highest rates of reunion at the end of the program were linked to dogs, requests in support of people fleeing interpersonal violence, consistent or frequent communication with the client, and not requiring veterinary or behavioral care/training beyond standard levels. THS’s UC program presents an inexpensive and effective way to help support people undergoing temporary crises, preserving the human–animal bond, which may help them heal in the aftermath of these crises, and prevent the needless relinquishment of animals to shelters. Through writing this report, opportunities have been identified for improving the program to better serve our community, and details have been provided that might help other organizations operating or planning to launch a similar program.

A Job Demands–Resources Perspective on Emotional Exhaustion and Work Engagement in Human–Animal Work

AbstractPrior research has highlighted various psychological benefits and detriments associated with human–animal work, i.e., work that is substantially focused on living animals. However, systematic research that identifies both demands and resources across various occupations in this domain of work has been limited. To address this issue, we build on job demands–resources theory to identify job demands and resources that are characteristic of human–animal work and link them to health and motivational outcomes. Our study of 205 individuals who engage in human–animal work across different occupations shows that in terms of job demands, animal distress positively relates to workers’ emotional exhaustion, but the occupational stigma of human–animal work does not. Regarding job resources, we find that pro-animal impact and human–animal bond both positively relate to work engagement, explaining additional variance in work engagement beyond more general job resources. However, when animal distress is high, human–animal bond does no longer predict work engagement. We discuss implications of our study for job demands–resources theory, research on occupational stigma, and the field of human–animal work.

A Scoping Review of Forced Separation Between People and Their Companion Animals

ABSTRACT People often form strong emotional attachments with their companion animals. When this relationship is threatened by forced separation, people may take risks to their safety and wellbeing to protect and stay with their companion animal. This scoping review maps concepts, evidence, and impacts of forced separation between people and their companion animals in the categories of domestic violence, homelessness, and natural disasters. Five relevant databases were searched: Medline Ovid, Psycinfo, Scopus, CINAHL, and EMCARE Ovid. Forty-two articles on the human–animal bond and situations of separation were included in the analysis, which revealed devastating results for companion animals, with death and loss of the animals prominent across all three categories of forced separation. Significant psychological distress and an increased risk to safety in people were found across all three categories. Risks people took to avoid forced separation included failing to evacuate to safety during natural disasters, delaying fleeing an abusive relationship, and prolonged homelessness while waiting for pet-friendly accommodation. Responsibility (who is responsible for the animal) and the cultural belief of human wellbeing as superior to that of animals emerged as major themes. This scoping review identified the extent of research evidence and gaps in the domains of domestic violence, health, homelessness, natural disasters, and animal welfare. It will assist researchers, policy makers, and service providers working in these areas in understanding the characteristics and the complexities of situations involving forced separation of people and their companion animals to optimize supports.

Intimate Partner Violence, Animal Maltreatment, and Barriers to Safety for Survivors with Companion Animals and Livestock: Findings From a Qualitative Study.

This article examines the co-occurrence of violence against women and violence against animals based on interviews with 15 survivors in Saskatchewan, Canada. The qualitative data reveal complex dynamics of the human-animal bond for victims/survivors. Insufficient social supports exacerbate barriers for leaving relationships with animals when experiencing intimate partner violence; nonetheless, the participants perceived animals as crucial to their well-being. Care of horses and livestock is further complicated by financial issues and difficulty evacuating large animals. Survivors emphasized the need for social programs to assist survivors who care for companion animals and large animals.Content warning: This article contains descriptions of violence and abuse toward companion animals, horses, and livestock, as well as examples of animals being killed.

How do veterinarians mitigate liability concerns with workforce shortages?

The challenge of meeting pet healthcare demands with inadequate staff resources creates legal and ethical considerations for the veterinary profession. Inadequate staffing can result in access to care issues that impact companion animal health, public health, and the human animal bond. An overburdened work environment may also result in liability issues related to standard of care, client dissatisfaction, and subsequent complaints. The following recommendations may ameliorate the legal and ethical impacts to include: a focus on how to optimize current resources (human and technology); improve client communications and medical record-keeping strategies; promote preventive care; develop and memorialize clinical standard operating procedures; and prioritize staff well-being to prevent burn out. These recommendations should be considered good practices when functioning under optimal conditions but are even more valuable to implement effectively in an overburdened companion animal medicine environment.

A Cat Is a Cat: Attachment to Community Cats Transcends Ownership Status

Introduction: Despite the considerable recent interest in the human–animal bond, the relationship between community cat caregivers and the cats they care for has received relatively little attention. In addition, the instruments typically used to measure the human–animal bond contain questions specific to in-home interactions with pets or interactions representative of specific behavior traits of the animal (e.g. lap-sitting), effectively excluding community cat caregivers. Methods: Using a slightly modified version of the Comfort from Companion Animals Scale, we surveyed community cat caregivers in Jefferson County, Kentucky, to measure the degree to which they are attached to the cats in their care. Participants for the online survey were recruited via email from a nonprofit organization that provides sterilization and wellness care for community cats in the area. Results: Of the 329 individuals who participated in the survey, 295 (90.2%) indicated that they had provided food, water, or shelter to one or more community cats currently or within the recent past. These caregivers tend to identify as white, female, and middle-class. Levels of attachment to the cats in their care (mean: 39.6, standard deviation [SD]: 5.9) are nearly identical to those previously reported by cat owners (mean: 39.6, SD: 4.8). Monthly expenditures and other sacrifices made as part of their caregiving duties provide further evidence of the strong attachment these individuals feel for community cats. Conclusion: The fact that community cats are unowned in no way diminishes the strength of the bond caregivers feel. Such findings have clear policy implications – validating, for example, the common practice of returning healthy cats lacking identification (i.e. collar or microchip), regardless of perceived level of sociability, to where they were found, following sterilization and vaccination.

The Benefits of Dog-Assisted Therapy for Children With Anxiety

Background Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health disorders experienced by children, and they have a negative effect on social, academic, and health functioning. While traditional psychotherapy has focused on methods such as cognitive behavioural therapy and parental anxiety management to treat these children, interest is growing in animal-assisted therapy (AAT) as a therapeutic modality, and recent research suggests the benefits of AAT within the realms of psychotherapy for children with anxiety. Aim This review aimed to perform a critical appraisal of the available literature relating to dog-assisted psychotherapy for children with anxiety and investigate the effectiveness of this therapy method in reducing anxiety. Method This structured literature review was guided by the 12 steps recommended by Kable et al. (2012). The search was conducted in August and September 2021 through the databases ScienceDirect, PsycInfo, and PubMed to locate published peer-reviewed literature on the therapeutic benefits of including a dog in psychotherapy sessions for children with anxiety. After critical appraisal, 10 articles were included in the review. Results General agreement exists that dog-assisted therapy can boost positive emotions and reduce anxiety levels in children, and that interacting with dogs and experiencing their unconditional acceptance help reduce children’s stress and physical pain levels as well as stress in families. The key themes that emerged from this review included the human–animal bond, children’s attachment styles, hospitalisation and environmental considerations, the AAT methods used, and the effects of AAT. Conclusion This review revealed many benefits of the presence of a therapy dog during psychotherapy sessions, including reducing anxiety, increasing positive emotions, and enabling social interactions for children with anxiety. Counsellors and psychotherapists can feel confident to undertake the required training and implement the necessary systems to accommodate a therapy dog in their therapeutic setting in order to support children with anxiety. It is noteworthy that the positive effects of dog-assisted therapy were not consistent throughout the literature, and most research studies focused on children in hospital settings. Therefore, further research is required regarding the effectiveness and clinical implications of the nature, type of intervention, length, and duration of dog-assisted therapy.

‘They've probably had those animals for years – they are like family’: accommodating pets in care homes and their contribution to creating a sense of ‘home’

Abstract Companion animals, or ‘pets’, are integral to many people's lives and to their sense of home. However, older people living with companion animals are vulnerable to separation from their animals when moving to a care home. Such separation is often a highly significant loss which, combined with other losses, may reinforce experiences of dislocation. Existing research draws attention to the importance of developing a sense of ‘home’ in a care home through reinforcing and preserving personal connections. However, there is a paucity of research examining the preservation of connections between older people resident in care homes and their animal/s. This study draws on thematic analysis of 29 qualitative interviews with older people living in care homes, relatives, care home staff and other relevant stakeholders. It highlights that retaining existing, often long-term, bonds with companion animals represent important continuities and connections which may contribute to positive adjustment to life in a care home and creating a sense of home. However, participants highlighted that supporting an older person to move into a care home with their companion animal may be challenged by real or perceived constraints such as use of shared space, concerns about the risks posed by animals and staff implications. While our study found examples of good practice of how shared residence between an older person and companion animal can be achieved in a care home, other examples highlighted that the time, complexity of planning and structures required to accommodate animals were prohibitive to merit a change of policy and practice. Our research concludes that more attention should be given to the older person–animal bond as an important source of continuity and connection.

The Neurobiology of Love and Pair Bonding from Human and Animal Perspectives.

Love is a powerful emotional experience that is rooted in ancient neurobiological processes shared with other species that pair bond. Considerable insights have been gained into the neural mechanisms driving the evolutionary antecedents of love by studies in animal models of pair bonding, particularly in monogamous species such as prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Here, we provide an overview of the roles of oxytocin, dopamine, and vasopressin in regulating neural circuits responsible for generating bonds in animals and humans alike. We begin with the evolutionary origins of bonding in mother-infant relationships and then examine the neurobiological underpinnings of each stage of bonding. Oxytocin and dopamine interact to link the neural representation of partner stimuli with the social reward of courtship and mating to create a nurturing bond between individuals. Vasopressin facilitates mate-guarding behaviors, potentially related to the human experience of jealousy. We further discuss the psychological and physiological stress following partner separation and their adaptive function, as well as evidence of the positive health outcomes associated with being pair-bonded based on both animal and human studies.

Mutuality and well-being: The human–animal bond.

Mutuality and well-being: The human–animal bond.

Factors Influencing the Development of Human–Animal Relationships at SeaWorld Entertainment Parks

While the existence of human–animal relationships dates back thousands of years, the effects of these bonds on animal well-being have only recently been examined in detail. The existing literature demonstrates that factors such as familiar human caregivers and persistent, predictable care may, for example, lower an animal’s fear response and improve overall welfare. The goal of the present study was to analyse how a range of variables, including age, sex, animal species, and previous bonds with a pet could influence the development of human–animal bonds between caregivers and animals at six affiliated zoological facilities. The present study is a survey of 201 animal caregivers focusing on their perception of the bonds shared between themselves and an animal with which they work and any experience with bonds they have with a companion animal at home. All respondents, regardless of the existence of a human–animal bond, also indicated their level of agreement with a series of general statements about human–animal relationships and their effects on animal management and welfare. The present study demonstrates that the type of animal species has a significant effect on the development of bonds between animals and their human caregivers, with a greater percentage of bonds developed between people and other mammalian species, and the smaller percentage of bonds between people and fish or reptiles. Personal identifiers, such as age, sex, or the number of years in the profession, did not have any significant correlation to bond development. In addition, having pets was also not a predictor of caregiver–animal bonds, though previous experiences with animal bonds did indicate a tendency to develop a bond. Overall, surveyed caregivers agreed with positive statements about human–animal relationships and their role in promoting better welfare for animals. Understanding the bonds shared by animal caregivers and the animals for which they are responsible is essential to fostering workplaces that consider the importance of the relationship between humans and animals, and the tangible benefits a positively perceived bond can have for both.

Euthanasia and Pain in Canine Patients with Terminal and Chronic-Degenerative Diseases: Ethical and Legal Aspects

Euthanasia is commonly performed in veterinary medicine to humanely induce the death of an animal when its quality of life is affected by pain or chronic degenerative diseases. The choice of euthanasia is a bilateral decision that represents a challenge for both the veterinarian and the owner of the animal due to the close emotional human-animal bond. Currently, there is legislation that can orient veterinarians concerning euthanasia and the causes that would justify this resolution. However, it is still controversial, and deciding it as the last available resort requires considering it from a medical, legal, and moral perspective. Therefore, this review aims to explore the ethical and legal implications of euthanasia in canine patients. It will analyze the reason that can justify euthanasia in animals with pain or terminal and chronic degenerative diseases, highlighting the importance of effective communication, ethical knowledge, and consideration of euthanasia as a multimodal resolution.

Preventive healthcare among dogs and cats in Chile is positively associated with emotional owner-companion animal bond and socioeconomic factors

Global companion animal population has been increasing as well as the number of dogs and cats being considered as a family member. However, it is unclear whether this close relationship could be associated with higher preventive healthcare in companion animals. Using data from 7,048 questionnaires of dogs and 3,271 of cats from the First National Study on Responsible Companion Animal Ownership, we estimated the proportion of preventive healthcare in companion animals of Chile. We also conducted a general linear mixed-effect regression model to identify socioeconomic factors and indicators of the emotional owners-companion animal bond that could influence owners' practices related to vaccination, parasite control, and veterinary visits. Based on the owner's answers, Chile has a satisfactory overall rates of parasite control (71%) and annual veterinary visits (65%) but a low vaccination coverage of both dogs (39%) and cats (25%). 'Purebred', 'live in urban areas', 'acquired by monetary compensation', and 'dog species' were associated with a higher probability of preventive healthcare in companion animals. Conversely, this probability was lower among senior animals compared to adults, males, and those owned by the Silent Generation or Baby Boomers (i.e., owners born before 1964). 'Sleeping inside', 'acquired for an emotional reason' (e.g., companionship), and 'considered a family member' were positively associated with at least one of assessed preventive measures. Our findings suggest that emotional owner-companion animal bonds could positively impact the frequency and quality of preventive healthcare in dogs and cats. However, owners who totally disagreed that a companion animal is a "family member" were also associated with a higher likelihood of vaccination uptake and veterinary visits for their animals. This highlights that owner's compliance with veterinary preventive healthcare is multifactorial. Chile has a high prevalence of infectious diseases circulating among dogs and cats and increasingly close contacts between owners and companion animals due to emotional bonds. Thus, our study calls for One Health approaches to reduce the risks of cross-species disease transmission. Specifically, increasing vaccination coverage of companion animals in Chile is the most urgent preventive measure needed, especially among cats, males, and older animals. Expand preventive healthcare among dogs and cats will promote public and animal health, including local wildlife that is susceptible to infectious diseases circulating in companion animals.

Reimagining Healthcare: Human–Animal Bond Support as a Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Public Health Intervention

The emergence of human-animal support services (HASS)-services provided to help keep people and their companion animals together-in the United States has been driven by two global public health crises. Despite such impetuses and an increasing recognition of One Health approaches, HASS are generally not recognized as public health interventions. The Ottawa Charter, defining health as well-being and resources for living and calling for cross-sector action to advance such, provides a clear rationale for locating HASS within a public health framework. Drawing from Ottawa Charter tenets and using the United States as a case study, we: (1) recognize and explicate HASS as public health resources for human and animal well-being and (2) delineate examples of HASS within the three-tiered public health intervention framework. HASS examples situated in the three-tier framework reveal a public health continuum for symbiotic well-being and health. Humans and their respective companion animals may need different levels of intervention to optimize mutual well-being. Tenets of the Ottawa Charter provide a clear rationale for recognizing and promoting HASS as One Health public health interventions; doing so enables cross-sector leveraging of resources and offers a symbiotic strategy for human and animal well-being.

The Role of Human–Animal Bonds for People Experiencing Crisis Situations

Human-animal bonds, by providing social support, have been shown to improve the health and wellbeing of pet owners, especially those experiencing a crisis situation. The human-animal bond for people in crisis situations is complex and multifaceted, as it has shown to improve health, whilst it can also discourage people from seeking help, due to fears of leaving their pet behind. The purpose of the study is to capture and to assess the role of the human-animal bond for people in crisis situations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with pet owners involved in the RSPCA NSW Community Programs (n = 13) in 2021 and 2022. The findings of the study indicate that the human-animal bond is highly valued by people experiencing crisis situations, that the human-animal bonds can affect people's ability to seek help or refuge, and that the human-animal bond helps people to recover after a crisis. The findings suggest that community crisis support services, prison systems, hospital systems, emergency housing, and government legislation should recognize and aim to preserve this bond to provide the best help for people experiencing crisis situations.

Assistance Dogs for People with Younger (Early)-Onset Dementia: The Family Carer's Experience.

There is growing evidence for trained assistance dogs promoting the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of people in a variety of circumstances, including for those with dementia. Little is known about people with younger (early)-onset dementia (YOD) and family carers. As part of a larger study involving 14 people with YOD matched with trained assistance dogs over a two-year period, we report analyses of interviews with 10 family carers conducted on multiple occasions investigating their experience with an assistance dog. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and subjected to inductive thematic analysis. They told a range of experiences; the good and the challenging. Findings fell into three areas: the human-animal bond; relationship dynamics; and responsibility for caring. Concerns were raised with respect to the resources required of carers together with the financial resources needed to support an assistance dog. The study concludes that trained assistance dogs can play an important role promoting the health and wellbeing of both people with YOD and of their family carers. However, support needs to be in place as the circumstances of the family member with YOD changes and the role of the assistance dog as part of the family also changes. Practical (financial) support of a scheme such as the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) could be important to sustaining such support.