Research in Human-Animal Interaction
Bergler.
Oxford, Blackwell. 1986.
Our quality of life and well-being are determined to a significant degree by the importance we attach to other people and other things. Relationships between human beings and animals are an integral part of this world of meanings and values and this study is an attempt to examine the nature and significance of the relationship between man and dog and the effect it can have on people's lives. It examines in detail the role of dogs in art and culture, the personality of dog-owners, the role of dogs in psychotherapy (particularly remarkable results, for example, have been obtained with autistic children, the mentally ill and old people), the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disorders, developmental psychology and help for the disabled. The benefits of dog ownership for children and the elderly are explained and illustrated. Scientific evidence is presented througout to support the importance of dogs in improving the life of man and the ways in which dogs could play an even more helpful part.