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 the vital role of collaboration between researchers and practitioners in human-animal interaction (HAI), enhancing scientific rigor and real-world impact through trust, ethical practices, and shared expertise.
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Anthropomorphizing in equine-facilitated learning and psychotherapy can aid human healing but may misrepresent horse behavior; a 2025 study urges therapists to use critical reflexivity to balance empathy with accurate equine understanding, ensuring ethical and effective EFL/P practices.
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Discover how service dogs impact U.S. military veterans with PTSD, from mental health benefits to challenges, and the gap between expectations and real-life experiences.
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Explore how animal-assisted interventions, including equine-assisted services and service dogs, support military families by improving emotional connections, resilience, and communication amidst unique challenges.
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Discover how psychiatric service dogs impact the sleep quality of partners of veterans with PTSD in this insightful study.
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Discover how canine-assisted interventions, paired with cognitive behavioral therapy, enhance social skills in children with ADHD, fostering better human interactions and engagement.
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Explore the growing impact of Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs) for Autism Spectrum Disorder, enhancing social engagement, emotional well-being, and behavioral outcomes, while highlighting research trends and challenges.
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Discover key insights from a 2021 survey on human-animal bond research, highlighting growth in academic centers, evolving focus areas, and expanded educational programs in this thriving interdisciplinary field.
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Discover how equine-assisted mental health uses the unique nonverbal communication of horses to transform trauma healing, offering powerful breakthroughs for PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
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