Welcome to the Human-Animal Partnerships and Interactions (HAPI) Lab research summaries. Here, you’ll find accessible overviews of our work exploring the powerful connections between humans and animals.
Our studies focus on human-canine and human-equine partnerships, examining their biopsychosocial impacts through a mixed-methods approach. From understanding how animal-assisted interventions can support individuals and families facing trauma to exploring the mutual benefits of these interactions for both people and animals, our research seeks to enhance the effectiveness and well-being of these partnerships.
Explore how psychiatric assistance dogs help veterans with PTSD, reducing symptoms, improving mental health, and fostering social connections, as highlighted in a comprehensive review of 41 studies.
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Discover how pets became essential emotional lifelines during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering comfort, routine, and stress relief amidst unprecedented uncertainty.
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Understand the differences between therapy animals, emotional support animals, and more with new expert-defined terms from Howell et al., ensuring clarity and consistency in the growing field of animal-assisted support.
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