Human-Animal Interaction in Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI)s: Zoonosis Risks, Benefits, and Future Directions—A One Health Approach

Abstract

Animal-assisted interventions (AAI)s represent the expression of integrated medicine, according to the One Health approach. Actually, animal-assisted therapies and animal-assisted activities are implemented in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, etc. The efficacy of AAIs is based on interspecific interactions and would be impacted by different factors, such as the characters of both the animal and the handler, a suitable selection of animal species, an appropriate animal educational protocol, the relationship between the handler and the animal, and mutual relationship among the animal, the patients, and members of the working team. AAIs produce many advantages for the patients but could expose them to zoonotic-pathogens transmission. Therefore, positive animal welfare, as preventative medicine to avoid incidents or transmission of zoonosis, is a relevant aspect with implications for human and animal health and wellbeing. This review aims to summarize the current published knowledge regarding the occurrence of pathogens in AAIs and to discuss their relevance in light of health and safety in AAIs participants. In addition, this review will contribute to defining the state of the art of AAIs through a careful benefits/challenges analysis and offers discussion points on the possible future developments according to the One Health approach.

Analysis of Strategies to Improve Human Resource Performance in Employees Technical Implementation Unit Paser Belengkong Animal Health Center

“…In order to optimally achieve the vision and mission (Suárez-Pérez et al, 2023) within the scope of UPT. Paser Health Center in Belengkong, it is necessary to add and improve the quality of individual human resources and organizations to be able to work optimally in providing services animal health (Liguori et al, 2023). One example of efforts to improve the quality of human resources for officers at the Puskeswan is to carry out training related to work at the Puskeswan, especially (Osman et al, 2023) in providing animal health services.…”