Domestic Dogs as Facilitators in Social Interaction: An Evaluation of Helping and Courtship Behaviors

Human-Animal Interaction as a Context for Positive Youth Development: A Relational Developmental Systems Approach to Constructing Human-Animal Interaction Theory and Research

“…On a more macro-level, the presence of animals can serve as a catalyst for social relationships among people. An experiment conducted in France found that women were significantly more likely to give their phone number to an attractive man when he was with a dog than when he approached them without a dog [Guéguen & Ciccotti, 2008]. The same researchers also found that people were more likely to give ''bus money'' to a confederate with a dog than one without a dog [Guéguen & Ciccotti, 2008].…”

“…An experiment conducted in France found that women were significantly more likely to give their phone number to an attractive man when he was with a dog than when he approached them without a dog [Guéguen & Ciccotti, 2008]. The same researchers also found that people were more likely to give ''bus money'' to a confederate with a dog than one without a dog [Guéguen & Ciccotti, 2008]. These studies and others contribute to the notion that animals can serve as social facilitators to conversations or interactions, whether it be by providing a topic of conversation or conveying a sense of responsibility [see Serpell, 2000].…”

Dog ownership increases attractiveness and attenuates perceptions of short-term mating strategy in cad-like men

“…It can also signal that the man has empathy and other emotional resources, allowing him to affectionately bond with another, and to have a long-term commitment to care (SERPELL and PAUL 2011). Perhaps this is the reason why walking with a dog elicits social responses from bystanders (MESSENT 1984), and even increases the chances that women would give the experimenter their phone number (GUÉGUEN and CICCOTTI 2008). Dog ownership should increase attractiveness for long-term relationships, especially for cads.…”

Enhancing Special Education Environments with Animal-Assisted Interventions at Green Chimneys

“…Among those well-documented effects of HAI that have potential relevance for special education settings are: l Improvement of mood by reduction of depressive moods and promotion of positive affect (e.g., Banks & Banks, 2005;Kaminski, Pellino, & Wish, 2002;Nathans-Barel, Feldman, Berger, Modai, & Silver, 2005;Prothmann, Bienert, & Ettrich, 2006;Souter & Miller, 2007); l Promotion of positive social interactions (Gueguen & Cicotti, 2008;Hart, Hart, & Bergin, 1987;Hergovich, Monshi, Semmler, & Zieglmayer, 2002;Kotrschal & Ortbauer, 2003;Martin & Farnum, 2002;Prothmann, Ettrich, & Prothmann, 2009;Schneider & Harley, 2006;Wells, 2004); l Reduction of anxiety and stress reactions (psychological but also physiological such as heart rate, blood pressure, cortisol levels) and promotion of trust and calmness, particularly in stress-and anxiety-inducing situations (e.g., Allen, Blascovich, Tomaka, & Kelsey, 1991;Allen, Blascovich, & Mendes, 2002;Barker, Pandurangi, & Best, 2003;Beetz, Julius, Turner, & Kotrschal, 2012;Beetz et al, 2011;Schneider & Harley, 2006;Shiloh, Sorek, & Terkel, 2003); l Improved concentration and motivation (Gee, Church, & Altobelli, 2010;Gee, Crist, & Carr, 2010;Gee, Harris, & Johnson, 2007;Gee, Sherlock, Bennett, & Harris, 2009;Hediger & Turner, 2014;Wohlfarth, Mutschler, Beetz, Kreuser, & KorstenReck, 2013).…”