French handlers' perspectives on Animal-Assisted Interventions.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Human Healthcare
• Social Sciences

Background:

• Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) are established in healthcare globally.
• Practices and mechanisms of AAI require further characterization.
• Limited understanding exists regarding French AAI practices and human-animal teams.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize French Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI).
• To explore the specificities of AAI through the perspectives of French handlers.
• To understand the role and integration of AAI within the French care system.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was conducted with 111 French handlers practicing AAI, primarily with dogs.
• Data collected included handler background, training, and practice specifics.
• Qualitative analysis explored handlers' definitions, motivations, and expectations regarding AAI and the human-animal team.

Main Results:

• Handler profiles and professional backgrounds were heterogeneous, with many having prior healthcare training.
• Five key themes emerged: AAI as supplementary care, person-centered approaches, human-animal complementarity, shared mediation roles, and handler beliefs influenced by personal experience.
• The study provided insights into French AAI utilization and its function within the care system.

Conclusions:

• AAI offer significant benefits, enhancing care settings and making care more humane.
• The well-being of beneficiaries and the caregiver relationship are central to AAI.
• The complementarity of the human-animal team is crucial for successful AAI practices.