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Investigating putative depression-like states in the domestic dog: Does greater time spent displaying waking inactivity in the home kennel co-vary with negative judgment of ambiguity?
Contributor(s):: Harvey, Naomi D., Moesta, Alexandra, Wongsaengchan, Chanakarn, Harris, Hannah, Craigon, Peter J., Fureix, Carole
Exposure to chronic stressors and/or traumatic events can trigger depression-like forms of waking inactivity in non-human species (mice, horses, primates) as well as clinical depression in humans. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that elevated levels of waking inactivity in the home...
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The State of Research on Human–Animal Relations: Implications for Human Health
| Contributor(s):: Deborah L. Wells
Since the late 1970s, scientific evidence has accumulated showing that pet ownership can have positive effects on people’s physical and mental wellbeing. This paper reviews the current state of affairs regarding the relationship between companion animals and human health, focusing on both...
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The State of Research on Human–Animal Relations: Implications for Human Health
| Contributor(s):: Wells, Deborah L.
Since the late 1970s, scientific evidence has accumulated showing that pet ownership can have positive effects on people’s physical and mental wellbeing. This paper reviews the current state of affairs regarding the relationship between companion animals and human health, focusing on both the...
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Introduction to the Themed Issue on Human–Animal Interaction and Healthy Human Aging
| Contributor(s):: Resnick, Barbara, McCune, Sandra
In 2016, the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) developed a research focus on the benefits and potential risks associated with pets among older adults. With the goal of developing a roadmap for human–animal interaction (HAI) research in older people residing in both the community and...
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Relationship of Behavioral Interactions during an Animal-assisted Intervention in Assisted Living to Health-related Outcomes
| Contributor(s):: Friedmann, Erika, Galik, Elizabeth, Thomas, Sue A., Hall, Sue, Cheon, Jooyoung, Han, Narae, Kim, Hee Jun, McAtee, Sherry, Gee, Nancy R.
In recent research involving assisted-living residents with mild to moderate cognitive impairment, a structured 12-week Pet Assisted Living (PAL) intervention led to improved physical activity (PA) and mood. Receipt of intervention is important to the efficacy of behavioral interventions. We...
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Biopsychosocial Factors and Cognitive Function in Cat Ownership and Attachment in Community-dwelling Older Adults
| Contributor(s):: Branson, Sandra M., Boss, Lisa, Padhye, Nikhil S., Gee, Nancy R., Trötscher, Thea T.
Few studies consider the health benefits of pet ownership from a biopsychosocial perspective, and a paucity of studies investigate cat ownership. The current study was designed to determine if psychosocial factors (stress, loneliness, and depression), biological levels of stress and...
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Pet Loss and Representations of Death, Attachment, Depression, and Euthanasia
| Contributor(s):: Testoni, Ines, Cataldo, Loriana De, Ronconi, Lucia, Zamperini, Adriano
Studies that have examined pet loss hypothesize that attachment, representations of death, and the belief in an afterlife for animals may influence owners’ bereavement and depressive outcomes. The following instruments were administered to 159 Italian participants recruited through snowball...
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The Psychological and Physiological Effects of Using a Therapy Dog in Mindfulness Training
| Contributor(s):: Henry, Courtney L., Crowley, Susan L.
The present study was a randomized controlled trial examining the psychological and physiological effects of adding animal-assisted therapy (AAT) to a modified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program (MBSR) for clients experiencing psychological distress. It was hypothesized that AAT would...
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Childhood Experiences with Family Pets and Internalizing Symptoms in Early Adulthood
| Contributor(s):: Girardi, Alberta, Pozzulo, Joanna D.
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether childhood experiences with family pets are associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety in early adulthood. Undergraduate students (n=318) responded to an online survey that included questions about bonding with childhood pets, exposure...
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Animal-assisted therapy for dementia
| Contributor(s):: Lai, N. M., Chang, S. M. W., Ng, S. S., Tan, S. L., Chaiyakunapruk, N., Stanaway, F.
BACKGROUND: Dementia is a chronic condition which progressively affects memory and other cognitive functions, social behaviour, and ability to carry out daily activities. To date, no treatment is clearly effective in preventing progression of the disease, and most treatments are symptomatic,...
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Effects of an animal visitation intervention on the depression, loneliness, and quality of life of older people: A randomised controlled study
| Contributor(s):: Chanelle J Buckle
Older people—especially those living in residential facilities—comprise a vulnerable and oftentimes frail, but large and growing subset of the global population. Various age-related and socio-political, -economic, and -environmental factors place the quality of life of older people...
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Depression and anxiety in pet owners after a diagnosis of cancer in their pets: a cross-sectional study in Japan
| Contributor(s):: Nakano, Y., Matsushima, M., Nakamori, A., Hiroma, J., Matsuo, E., Wakabayashi, H., Yoshida, S., Ichikawa, H., Kaneko, M., Mutai, R., Sugiyama, Y., Yoshida, E., Kobayashi, T.
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Companion dog acquisition and mental well-being: a community-based three-arm controlled study
| Contributor(s):: Powell, L., Edwards, K. M., McGreevy, P., Bauman, A., Podberscek, A., Neilly, B., Sherrington, C., Stamatakis, E.
Background Dog ownership is suggested to improve mental well-being, although empirical evidence among community dog owners is limited. This study examined changes in human mental well-being following dog acquisition, including four measures: loneliness, positive and negative affect, and...
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Effect of group integrated intervention program combined animal-assisted therapy and integrated elderly play therapy on live alone elderly
| Contributor(s):: Kil, T., Yoon, K. A., Ryu, H., Kim, M.
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The effectiveness of group combined intervention using animal-assisted therapy and integrated elderly play therapy
| Contributor(s):: Kil, T., Kim, H. M., Kim, M.
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Canine-Assisted Therapy in Hospitalized Patients Awaiting Heart Transplantation
| Contributor(s):: Snipelisky, D., Smidt, J., Gallup, S., Myrick, J., Bauer, B., Burton, M. C.
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Benefits, challenges, and needs of people living with cancer and their companion dogs: An exploratory study
| Contributor(s):: Ingram, K. M., Cohen-Filipic, J.
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Preliminary efficacy of service dogs as a complementary treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder in military members and veterans
| Contributor(s):: O'Haire, M. E., Rodriguez, K. E.
ObjectivePsychiatric service dogs are an emerging complementary treatment for military members and veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Yet despite anecdotal accounts of their value, there is a lack of empirical research on their efficacy. The current proof-of-concept study...
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Evaluation of an equine-assisted therapy program for veterans who identify as 'wounded, injured or ill' and their partners
| Contributor(s):: Romaniuk, M., Evans, J., Kidd, C.
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The long-term impact of infant rearing background on the affective state of adult common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)
| Contributor(s):: Ash, Hayley, Buchanan-Smith, Hannah M.
Early life environment, including temporary family separation, can have a major influence on affective state. Using a battery of tests, the current study compared the performance of adult common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), reared as infants under 3 different conditions: family-reared twins,...
