ABSTRACT What can we know about human–animal interactions (HAI) research by looking at information about its research articles, such as publication information, text of abstracts or author keywords, or citation patterns? Bibliometric analysis, the quantification of information about published articles, is a tool we can use to gain a perspective of the status of research in a particular field. In this

ABSTRACT Pets are often regarded as family members in US households, but are rarely examined as a source of support for individuals who are suicidal. As suicide rates increase, all potential protective factors must be explored. The attachment bond between pets and their owners is akin to that of bonds with other humans, as pets provide unconditional love and emotional support when owners experience

ABSTRACT Animals play a large role in society, yet attitudes about animals vary widely depending on individual differences in age, gender, experience with animals, and culture. The purpose of this study was to examine which factors, particularly geographic location, may influence college students’ overall attitudes toward animal use. College students (n = 297), age ranged from 18–54 years (M = 19.88

ABSTRACT Significant numbers of dogs are relinquished to shelters each year, impacting dogs, owners, and communities. Attitudes surrounding relinquishment may guide how a dog owner responds to situations such as behavioral problems or financial difficulties and may also influence what owners disclose to shelters at the time of surrender. However, no previous studies have examined attitudes toward relinquishment

ABSTRACT Participation in dog agility may strengthen the bond between dog owners and their dogs and provide a reason for increasing physical fitness, thus increasing physical activity behavior. The purpose of this study was to compare physical activity levels (performed both with their dogs and without their dogs) of agility trainers with non-agility trainers, and to examine factors associated with

ABSTRACT This qualitative study explored how riders perceive and understand the relationship with their horse. Participants included ten elite female riders with a mean age of 40.6 years, five of whom competed in Eventing and five in Dressage with an average of 30.9 years’ competitive experience, and their chosen horses (mean age: 11.8 years). The average duration for the relationship between horse

ABSTRACT Although several studies have shown that dolphin-assisted therapy (DAT) may be beneficial for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), most of these studies have methodological weaknesses. This study tested the effectiveness of DAT in improving the social and communicative skills of children with ASD. We used a pretest–posttest design with a control group. The 48 participants were selected

ABSTRACT The Gibraltar macaques are a transplanted species that originated in the Barbary States (Morocco and Algeria). Their origin on the Rock under British rule dates back to the eighteenth century, but most likely preceded the British period. We question the argument that the reason for the introduction of monkeys to Gibraltar was based on hunting the species for sport. Rather, we argue that the

ABSTRACT Rabies is efficiently controlled through mass vaccination of dogs. In an area of South Africa where free vaccination campaigns were implemented following rabies re-emergence, the required 70% vaccination coverage was challenging to reach. Understanding the factors affecting the efficiency of mass vaccination is helpful in guiding long-term rabies control efforts. This study aimed to assess

ABSTRACT We evaluated local communities’ fear of wolves in a scenario of wolf attacks on people and livestock in Western Iran. In particular, we investigated the interaction between experiences of wolf attacks (both on people and livestock) and three factors: behavioral action (management action, e.g., livestock carcass management), religious (e.g., the belief that wolves can be a curse if harmed by

(2021). Underdogs: Pets, People, and Poverty. Anthrozoös. Ahead of Print.

ABSTRACT Recently, studies have begun to examine the educational and cognitive benefits of interacting with animals, specifically dogs. This study contributes to this research, with a focus on executive functioning abilities in six- to eight-year-old children. A naturalistic sample of 63 participants were allocated to one of three conditions, with varying levels of human–dog interactions, and participated

ABSTRACT To what extent, if at all, do low-income owners of dogs and/or cats worry about running out of pet food before being able to buy more? If this insecurity exists among these pet owners, what contributes to it besides the inability to afford pet food? And whatever the sources of pet food insecurity, how do owners cope with it? A non-random, snowball sample of clients (n = 40) at three pet food

ABSTRACT Domestic dogs are terrific companions in a variety of contexts. However, not all dogs have followed the same trajectory regarding domestication. In fact, little is known about how some dogs, including New Guinea singing dogs (NGSDs), fare as companion animals. The majority of NGSDs in the United States and Canada live as companion animals, yet observational studies of NGSDs have been limited

ABSTRACT The popularity of companion animals in South Korea has increased rapidly in recent years. However, the injection of companion animals with unprescribed vaccines or antibiotic treatments by their owners without veterinary consultation has emerged as a serious animal welfare concern. To develop strategies for addressing this issue, first it is necessary to understand the determinants of such

ABSTRACT Current research supports the idea that attitudes toward animals, including their rights and treatment, relate to other social and ideological views. In this study, I explored whether attitudes toward animals relate to wider ideological beliefs and important social identities in Serbia. I conducted two surveys to identify these relationships. In the first study, a sample (n = 321) from the

ABSTRACT In Japan, older people are expected to comprise 30% of the population as early as 2025. We hypothesized that visiting a zoo or aquarium might be good for their health, compared with visiting a nearby park. We conducted two studies with older Japanese participants to compare the psychological and physical effects of visiting a zoo or aquarium with those of visiting a park. In these studies

ABSTRACT Concerns about animal welfare are becoming increasingly important. Recent research suggests that age and gender are associated with attitudes toward animal welfare in adolescents. In this study, we analyzed attitudes toward animal welfare in adolescents from five geographic regions: Colombia, France, Germany, and two regions in India (Raipur and Kalyani). Individuals responded to the Composite

ABSTRACT Understanding how visitor engagement with interpretation impacts on their attitudes to conservation is necessary to develop effective zoo-based conservation education. We examined whether facilitating an emotional connection between a visitor and an individual chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) was more successful at enhancing attitudes than standard zoo interpretation. Attitudes were assessed post

ABSTRACT Learning in the zoo is a complex process with many influences affecting outcomes, which traditional methods of evaluation may not consider. This study used conversational content analysis, an innovative and under-used technique, to investigate children’s learning in the zoo setting during an educational experience. The children’s conversations were observed at Fota Wildlife Park and Dingle

ABSTRACT In this study, we aimed to identify possible significant differences in the socioemotional development of children who live with dogs in their daily lives, compared with children who do not have this type of contact, and to determine the extent to which these differences are associated with sex. We studied a sample of 120 children (53.3% girls) aged between three and five years old comprising

ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the relationships between subsistence hunting and sustainability from an anthropological perspective. We analyze sustainability as a form of social reproduction affected by tensions between conservation, production, rural lives and hunting. The work was carried out in Paso Centurión (north-eastern Uruguay), an area that is undergoing a process of environmentalization

ABSTRACT Expanding on recent anthropological writing on cryptozoology, this paper demonstrates how animals perceived as both rare and cosmologically anomalous can be usefully compared with cryptids, “mystery” animals not currently recognized by scientific zoology. The case is advanced with reference to the dugong (Dugong dugon) as experienced by the Lio people of the eastern Indonesian island of Flores

ABSTRACT Homelessness is a pervasive social issue worldwide. In the UK, it is currently estimated that one in two hundred people are homeless, approximating 0.5% of the population. Pet ownership among this group is thought to be commonplace and has been linked with a range of human health and social benefits. These include amelioration of loneliness, isolation and depression and reduction in suicidal

ABSTRACT An online survey of 991 US adults examines differences in attitudes among the general US population toward spaying and neutering cats and dogs, with a focus on differences between urban and rural respondents and the influence of demographic characteristics. While current literature focuses on sterilization behaviors of guardians, this study will contribute to a better understanding of attitudes

ABSTRACT While there is a substantive body of research on benefits conveyed via the human–animal bond (HAB), less is understood about disruptions to HAB and how to potentially prevent such. The construct of commitment can elucidate such scenarios and may also help inform related interventions; however, there are few empirical measures of commitment to a companion animal, and none specific to low-income

ABSTRACT Research interest in the benefits of human–animal interaction (HAI) has grown within the scientific community. One current limitation in the HAI literature however, is that the majority of research focuses on the beneficial effects of dogs and cats, paying less attention to other species commonly kept as pets, such as birds. In the present study, 88 participants were asked to read aloud to

ABSTRACT Animal interactions can provide numerous benefits for child development and education. In the United States, goats are increasingly used in urban farm to school (FTS) programs to enhance children's learning and outdoor experiences. This study examined parents’ attitudes toward the presence of goats in a middle school FTS program and in their residential community, and the perceived effects

(2021). Human Minds and Animal Stories: How Narratives Make Us Care About Other Species. Anthrozoös: Vol. 34, No. 1, pp. 157-159.

ABSTRACT Learning in the zoo is a complex process with many influences affecting outcomes, which traditional methods of evaluation may not consider. This study used conversational content analysis, an innovative and under-used technique, to investigate children’s learning in the zoo setting during an educational experience. The children’s conversations were observed at Fota Wildlife Park and Dingle

ABSTRACT Animal interactions can provide numerous benefits for child development and education. In the United States, goats are increasingly used in urban farm to school (FTS) programs to enhance children's learning and outdoor experiences. This study examined parents’ attitudes toward the presence of goats in a middle school FTS program and in their residential community, and the perceived effects

ABSTRACT In this study, we aimed to identify possible significant differences in the socioemotional development of children who live with dogs in their daily lives, compared with children who do not have this type of contact, and to determine the extent to which these differences are associated with sex. We studied a sample of 120 children (53.3% girls) aged between three and five years old comprising

ABSTRACT An online survey of 991 US adults examines differences in attitudes among the general US population toward spaying and neutering cats and dogs, with a focus on differences between urban and rural respondents and the influence of demographic characteristics. While current literature focuses on sterilization behaviors of guardians, this study will contribute to a better understanding of attitudes

ABSTRACT Understanding how visitor engagement with interpretation impacts on their attitudes to conservation is necessary to develop effective zoo-based conservation education. We examined whether facilitating an emotional connection between a visitor and an individual chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) was more successful at enhancing attitudes than standard zoo interpretation. Attitudes were assessed post

ABSTRACT This research used an online quantitative survey to investigate variables related to grief following pet loss. These included type of relationship, animal species, amount of time since death, cause of death, attachment, and social support. We also examined emotions hypothesized to be associated with pet loss: grief, guilt, and loneliness. Female and male participants over the age of 18 years

ABSTRACT This paper explores multispecies families and nonhuman kinship through the lens of tattoo narratives, namely those that accompany designs dedicated to a companion animal. Although some tattoos are purely aesthetic, many embody deep personal meanings. Humans use narrative as a tool to endow meaning to experience, and the visual nature of a tattoo invites the telling of a story. Participants

ABSTRACT People often intentionally or unintentionally leave companion animals behind in an evacuation during a hazard event. In online animal rescue forums, people curate, comment on, and engage in posts during and after disasters. Many times, the content of the posts and comments to the posts are value-laden and examples of expressing moral policing about evacuation related to companion animals.

ABSTRACT Human–dog dyads represent a mutually beneficial partner- ship with a 16,000-year-old history. However, when this relationship becomes dysfunctional the consequences for the human, dog, and society at large can be severe. Canine members of dysfunctional dyads often display problem behaviors, such as aggression, and are frequently allowed to roam, becoming a public health concern. The cause

ABSTRACT Parents raise children in consistent ways, and these parenting styles affect child wellbeing and societal adjustment. Recently, we identified such parenting styles in the owner–dog relationship. Dog owners of the authoritarian- correction orientated (AUC) type stand out for demandingness. Authoritative dog owners adopt either an intrinsic-value orientated style (AUI), of high responsiveness

ABSTRACT The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate if and what types of differences exist between men and women when interacting with their dogs in a “natural” setting. In the case of this study, we defined “natural” as visiting a public park with their dog. To do this, we completed a series of 10-minute focal follows (n = 177) on human–canine dyads at local leashed and off-leash dog

(2020). Canine-Assisted Interventions: A Comprehensive Guide to Credentialing Therapy Dog Teams. Anthrozoös: Vol. 33, No. 6, pp. 787-789.

(2020). Animal Advocacy and Environmentalism. Anthrozoös: Vol. 33, No. 6, pp. 790-792.

This paper analyzes human–animal relations with protected predators in central-southern Chile, focusing mainly on the case of foxes. It is based on 12 months of anthropological research undertaken in the Araucanía Region, using an ethnographic approach that combined participant observation with in-depth, semi-structured interviews. It covers field material relating to cases where protected predators

A robust debate regarding the ideal legal status of nonhuman animals has been taking place for some time among legal scholars, philosophers, animal scientists, social scientists, and humanists. Significantly less attention has been paid, however, to exploring how members of the public conceptualize the legal treatment of animals, including what they see as the primary merits and drawbacks of proposed

The study aim was to investigate the associations between personality factors, attitudes to animals, moral values, and delinquent behaviors, and to examine the moderating effects of gender, age, and country of origin on these associations. This was a cross-cultural comparison of residents of Cyprus and the UK. A total of 526 people completed an online questionnaire and a path analysis was carried out

Pets live in nearly two-thirds of US households and are thought to increase wellbeing. However, previous research is mixed regarding the extent to which pets actually provide benefits. One understudied factor that may help clarify these findings is pet preference, or the extent to which a person prefers dogs and cats, and how that preference aligns with the presence of the pet in the home. As such

Making the right decision before acquiring a dog may help prevent the development of canine behavior problems and increase the likelihood of a satisfactory relationship. In this study, social-cognitive factors in decision-making were assessed in the phase before the acquisition of a dog (the motivational phase) to see whether they were associated with later canine behavior problems and satisfaction

The effects of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) on human cerebral activity are not clearly understood, although many studies have reported psychological and physiotherapeutic benefits associated with it. Any benefits of AAT are likely to be closely related to brain activity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of stroking a horse on brain activity in humans, specifically the frontopolar

(2020). A Reason to Live: HIV and Animal Companions. Anthrozoös: Vol. 33, No. 5, pp. 685-687.

Contact with nature and experiences with nonhuman animals have been shown to contribute to nature connection and human wellbeing, both of which are innate needs according to the biophilia hypothesis. This study explores what marine mammal encounters mean to people and how they affect connection to and understanding of nature. It was hypothesized that individuals who had wild random vs ecotour vs captive

At zoos, and some sanctuaries, members of the public can observe the resident animals. Examining the characteristics and consequences of this type of human–animal encounter is important to understand public education and engagement as well as animal behavior and welfare. Zoos typically have a large and consistent visitor presence, and researchers report mixed findings regarding the effects of the visiting

Nonhuman animals play significant roles in children’s lives. While research into children’s relationships with animals is thriving, an overlooked area is children’s vicarious experience of animals through realistic representations in nonfiction books, magazines, and other media. We used content analysis to examine how animals were represented on 103 National Geographic Kids magazine covers from 2004

This paper uses a governmentality approach to examine the political history of human–canine relationships in the People’s Republic of China, focusing on the evolution of household dog regulations in Beijing. In doing so, it ties the micropolitics of human–canine relations to transformations in political, economic, and social governance and ways of thinking about and acting on the interactions between

The revised version of the UCLA-Loneliness Scale has been widely used to investigate the effect of pet ownership on human loneliness. This paper reports three tests of its efficacy for this purpose: 1) a qualitative evaluation of the 20 UCLA-LS items, which concluded that only 6/20 items were likely to tap differences in loneliness due to direct effects of pet ownership, acquisition or separation;

Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) is the positive changes a person may experience due to the struggle with a highly stressful life event. One of the predictors of PTG is social support, and support from various sources have been shown to help foster growth. Pets have also been shown to provide feelings of social support and to reduce feelings of stress. Despite this, no studies to date have examined the association

Although the relationship between pet ownership and health and wellbeing has received considerable attention in popular media, research on the topic shows inconsistent findings. We addressed the methodological weaknesses of previous studies by using data from a national probability survey (the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study; n = 13,347). We describe the demographic characteristics and personality

The relationship between companion animal ownership and wellbeing has received an increasing amount of scientific attention over the last few decades. Although the general assumption is that individuals benefit from the presence of companion animals (termed the “pet-effect”), recent evidence suggests that the nature of this association is diverse and complex and that many of the studies performed so

(2020). News and Analysis. Anthrozoös: Vol. 33, No. 4, pp. 589-590.

ABSTRACT Over the last two decades, animal abuse and neglect, as well as the relationship between animal abuse and domestic violence, have been the subject of numerous academic inquiries. Existing studies on this issue have primarily been conducted in Anglo-Saxon and Western European countries, and little is known about the reality of animal abuse in other countries, including Poland. Our study sheds

ABSTRACT In humans, personality is relatively stable across the adult life- span and various situations. Can the same be said of the personality of cats? Primary caregivers of cats thought about their cats in four situations: 1) home alone with the cat, 2) an unknown plumber arrives, 3) during a thunderstorm, and 4) when they had had the cat for six months. In each imagined situation, the 65 female