anthrozoology.org

Akiyama, J.; Sugimoto, K.; Ohta, M.;

Journal of Azabu University. 2004. 9/10: 11-16.

The effects of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) on the physical and physiological health of old people have been well known. In general, dogs, cats and small animals have been used at the AAT for seniors. In this study we tried to clarify physical and mental effects of the interactions of old people and dolphins, with ten people aged from 50 to 60. The blood pressure and the heart rate were measured with a hemodynamometer before and after the activity with the dolphins. The psychological test was performed at the same time, using the Multiple Mood Scale. The results show that the positive emotions of the subjects were increased significantly, with concomitant decreases in the negative emotions. The means of the blood pressures were increased before approaching to dolphins and decreased gradually after the interaction with dolphins. These findings indicate that interactions with dolphins have a relaxed effect upon both mental and physical states of the participants in a short time.

Bjerke, T., T. S. Odegardstuen, and B. P. Kaltenborn.

Anthrozoos, v. 11, p. 227-235, 1998.

562 children and adolescents (9 and 15 years), from one urban and 3 rural areas in southern Norway, completed a questionnaire on their degree of preference for various animal species. The dog, cat, horse, and rabbit were the favourite species, while the crow, worm, bee, and spider were the least liked. Girls were more positive toward horses, and were more pet-orientated than boys, while more boys than girls preferred wild animals. Younger respondents liked animals more than did 15-year-olds, with a few exceptions: the wolf, bear, and whale. Urban respondents liked animals more than rural respondents, a finding which applied to the large carnivores in particular. Interests in wildlife decreased with age, and few respondents wished to save ecologically-significant species (ants, bees, ladybirds) from extinction

Zasloff, R. L., and L. A. Hart.

Anthrozoos, v. 11, p. 242-248, 1998. 

Persons maintaining colonies of homeless, stray cats on the island of Oahu were surveyed for attitudes and care practices associated with colony maintenance. The 75 respondents were primarily female pet owners, middle-aged, living with spouses, well-educated, and employed full time, dispelling the image of caretakers as elderly, socially-isolated individuals. Most believed that outdoor cat colonies should continue and that colony maintenance is a way of curbing pet overpopulation so long as the cats are sterilized. Most respondents had been maintaining cat colonies for 2 to 4 years. All caretakers reported having attempted to socialize the cats and nearly half had been successful in homing cats. Most were caring for one colony of fewer than 10 animals which were fed once or twice daily. All caretakers tried to trap the cats and take them for sterilization and veterinary care. Although many took advantage of the Hawaiian Humane Society's free sterilization programme for colony cats, some caretakers paid for sterilization and more than half reported paying for all veterinary care. Love of cats, opportunity for nurturing, and improved feelings of self-esteem appear to be some of the factors underlying the remarkable commitment of the caretakers. Colony management may not be practical in some areas due to risks to wildlife and human health. However, where feasible, the availability of individuals willing to provide responsible care to these animals may be a significant resource for animal welfare and control organizations

Kidd, A. H., R. M. Kidd, and R. L. Zasloff.

Psychological Reports, v. 79, p. 227-34, 1996.

Although wildlife rehabilitation relies heavily on volunteers, the characteristics and motivations of such volunteer workers have not been studied. 80 volunteers from three San Francisco Bay Area Rehabilitation Centers, were interviewed about their preferences in working with animals and people, their methods of dealing with grief and failure over animals' deaths, and the onset of their interest in and motives for working in a difficult field. A significant number had owned pets in childhood as well as currently. 40% preferred working only with animals to working with both animals and people. 34% stayed in rehabilitation because they loved and wanted to help animals; 23% enjoyed hands-on nurturing; and the remainder primarily felt they were giving back to Nature a part of what people have taken from it.

Kidd, A. H., and R. M. Kidd.

Psychological Reports, v. 80, p. 747-53, 1997.

The characteristics and motives of 63 suburban adolescents (20 boys, 43 girls) who are concerned with learning how to care for and make significant contributions to wildlife and the environment were assessed by telephone interviews. The data confirm studies of adults in that significantly more girls than boys became volunteers, significantly more volunteers' families than average families experienced caring interactions with animal life through pet ownership, and significantly more volunteers reported that concern for wildlife arose during early childhood rather than later. The data also indicate that early childhood experiences with pets, with adults acting as role models and providing social approval, and having instruction in wildlife care with peers all contributed to their positive attitudes toward wildlife and the pursuit of their volunteer work. Over-all, the results suggest that adolescents, wildlife, and the environment might benefit if wildlife care programs could be established for other youth such as inner city teenagers.