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Research

Research forms an essential part of education within the human-companion animal bond credible, reliable facts are needed to influence attitudes and policies. 

Initial reports of the benefits of interacting with companion animals were primarily anecdotal, case or observational studies, utilising small sample sizes and a lack of experimental controlled environments. Evidence has continued to accumulate and although many studies are still observational, more rigorous controlled studies are being conducted.   The result is that there is growing body of literature emerging that provides evidence to support the therapeutic value of human-companion animal interaction. Many studies focus on, for example:

How pet ownership affects physical and mental health of children and older people

How simply having an animal present or visiting is beneficial to children and adults in some healthcare situations

How animal-assisted therapy may be beneficial for children with attention-deficit disorders as well as for psychiatric populations such as those with Alzheimer's disease, dementia and other chronic mental illnesses

However, more scientific evidence and research is needed in this field, particularly well-designed outcome studies of animal-assisted therapy programmes and longitudinal studies of pet ownership.  Click here to read Professor Sam H. Ahmedzai's SCAS conference report for further information on the need for scientific evidence.  

For information on research conducted on specific areas of the human-companion animal bond, please see Human-companion animal bond pages.