Waltham Book of Human-Animal Interaction (eBook)

Front Cover 1
The Waltham Book of Human–Animal Interaction: Benefits and Responsibilities of Pet Ownership 4
Copyright Page 5
Table of Contents 6
Preface 8
Acknowledgements 9
List of Contributors 10
Chapter 1. Associations Between Man and Animals 16
Introduction 16
Animals in Human Societies 16
Early Hunting Communities 16
The Development of Farming Communities 17
Animals as Companions 18
References 20
Chapter 2. The Role of Pets in Enhancing Human Well-being: Effects on Child Development 22
Introduction 22
The Development of Children 23
Direct Influences of Pets on the Development of Children 24
Indirect Influences of Pets on the Development of Children 26
Can Pets Enhance the Development of Children? 28
References 30
Chapter 3. The Role of Pets in Enhancing Human Well-being: Effects for Older People 34
Introduction 34
Sustaining Well-being in Maturity 35
The Role of Pets in the Life Cycle 36
Socialising Effects of Companion Animals 37
The Influence of Pets on Personal Identity 39
The Role of Pets in Stress Reduction 40
The Role of Pets in Facilitating Healthy Activities 40
Practical Considerations 42
Identifying Individuals Likely to Benefit 43
References 44
Chapter 4. The Role of Pets in Enhancing Human Well-being: Physiological Effects 48
Introduction 48
Evidence for Health Benefits from Pets 49
A Mechanism for Physiological Effects from Pets 53
Summary and Conclusions 66
References 67
Chapter 5. The Role of Pets in Therapeutic Programmes 70
Historical Perspectives 70
Animal-Assisted Therapy 72
Animal-Assisted Activities 75
Service Dogs 78
Therapeutic Riding 81
References 83
Chapter 6. Avoiding Problems: The Importance of Socialisation 86
Introduction 86
Dog Socialisation 87
Cat Socialisation 90
The Effects of Domestication 91
Attachment 92
Practical Considerations 94
Social Referencing 97
Heritable Effects 98
References 99
Chapter 7. The Human—Cat Relationship 102
Introduction 102
Factors Affecting the Human-Cat Relationship 102
Breed Differences 104
Sex and Age of the Person 105
Housing Conditions 106
Living in Harmony 106
References 111
Chapter 8. The Human—Dog Relationship 114
Introduction 114
Factors Affecting the Human-Dog Relationship 115
Living in Harmony 118
Responsibilities of Dog Ownership 125
References 126
Chapter 9. Relationships with Other Pets 128
Introduction 128
Man's Association with the Horse 128
Responsibilities of Horse Ownership 133
Relationships with other Pets 134
References 138
Chapter 10. The End of a Relationship: Coping with Pet Loss 142
Introduction 142
Understanding Pet Loss 142
What is Lost when a Pet Dies? 143
The Experience of Pet Loss 147
Special Aspects of Pet Loss 150
Alleviating Pet Loss 154
References 157
Index 160