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Animal-assisted therapy - magic or medicine?

¹Life Sciences Research Institute, Technikon Pretoria, Private Bag X680, 0001, Pretoria, South Africa. odendaalj@techpta.ac.za

Journal of Psychosomatic Research

|December 20, 2000

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Positive human-animal interactions increase specific neurochemicals linked to attention in both humans and dogs. This finding provides a scientific basis for the benefits of animal-assisted therapy.

Area of Science:

Human-Animal Interaction
Neuroendocrinology
Physiological Psychology

Background:

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) requires a strong theoretical foundation.
Physiological parameters must be scientifically measured to support AAT.
Understanding the neurochemical basis of human-animal bonds is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the physiological changes during positive human-animal interaction.
To measure specific neurochemical alterations in humans and dogs.
To establish a scientific rationale for the efficacy of animal-assisted therapy.

Main Methods:

Measured six neurochemicals associated with blood pressure changes.
Studied 18 human participants and 18 dogs.

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Collected data before and after positive interaction sessions.

Main Results:

Statistically significant increases (P<.05) in targeted neurochemicals were observed in both species.
Elevated neurochemicals were linked to attention-seeking and attention-giving behaviors.
Physiological responses indicate a shared neurochemical response to positive interaction.

Conclusions:

Positive human-animal interactions elicit measurable neurochemical changes in both species.
The observed neurochemical shifts provide a physiological basis for AAT.
This study supports the use of animal-assisted therapy based on scientific evidence.