Human-Animal Studies: Remembering the Past, Celebrating the Present, Troubling the Future

Shapiro, Kenneth

doi:10.1163/15685306-bja10029

Cited by 25 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 42 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…For example, one specific pathway that humans may benefit from non-conventional companion animals is through their unique care requirements, which require regular and specific effort to maintain. Stronger adherence to routines necessary for exotic companion animal care may recreate the therapeutic effects of behavioral activation through activity scheduling, for which substantial evidence of its applications in treating depression exist [85,86]. This possibility is yet to be explored in research.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Health Benefits of Non-Conventional Companion Animals: A Narrative Review

Macauley¹,

Chur‐Hansen²

2022

Animals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Research investigating health benefits from household human–animal bonds has focused mostly on bonds with companion dogs, cats, and horses. Wellbeing benefits associated with other companion animal species such as birds, fish, and reptiles are described and anecdotally reported, but there is little empirical literature supporting this. The literature suggests that health benefits of companion animals are predicated on human perceptions of the animal rather than the animal’s species. Therefore, relationships with non-conventional companion animals of diverse species may benefit the health of their human guardians as do dogs, cats, and horses. This narrative review summarizes the current literature exploring perceived health benefits gained from non-conventional companion animals. Searches were conducted for published literature and grey literature up to October 2022 across PsycINFO and PubMed databases, and Newsbank media database for commercial media publications. Nineteen studies and 10 media articles were included in the review. Gaps in the literature include a lack of rigorous research to investigate the health benefits of non-conventional companion animals. Non-conventional companion animals may benefit their guardians by providing social support through acting as attachment figures, facilitating social opportunities and daily routines, fulfilling cognitive needs, and recreating restorative capacities of mindfully observing natural landscapes. Further high-quality research into the human-non-conventional companion animal bond is warranted.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Health Benefits of Non-Conventional Companion Animals: A Narrative Review

Macauley¹,

Chur‐Hansen²

2022

Animals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Culture-independent comparison studies have revealed that even though the distal portion of the intestinal ecosystem of humans and mice inhabits similar phyla of bacteria, many species and genera of bacteria present in mice are not found in humans. Therefore, when generalizing the findings of the animal studies to humans, caution should be taken [ 237 , 238 ]. Studies carried out in animals to evaluate the impacts of phytochemicals on the alteration in the composition of the gut microbiome are summarized in Table 1 .…”

Section: Mechanism Of Action Of Phytochemicalmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Plant Phytochemicals on the Gut Microbiota of Humans for a Balanced Life

Santhiravel

Bekhit

Mendis

et al. 2022

IJMS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The gastrointestinal tract of humans is a complex microbial ecosystem known as gut microbiota. The microbiota is involved in several critical physiological processes such as digestion, absorption, and related physiological functions and plays a crucial role in determining the host’s health. The habitual consumption of specific dietary components can impact beyond their nutritional benefits, altering gut microbiota diversity and function and could manipulate health. Phytochemicals are non-nutrient biologically active plant components that can modify the composition of gut microflora through selective stimulation of proliferation or inhibition of certain microbial communities in the intestine. Plants secrete these components, and they accumulate in the cell wall and cell sap compartments (body) for their development and survival. These compounds have low bioavailability and long time-retention in the intestine due to their poor absorption, resulting in beneficial impacts on gut microbiota population. Feeding diets containing phytochemicals to humans and animals may offer a path to improve the gut microbiome resulting in improved performance and/or health and wellbeing. This review discusses the effects of phytochemicals on the modulation of the gut microbiota environment and the resultant benefits to humans; however, the effect of phytochemicals on the gut microbiota of animals is also covered, in brief.

show abstract

“…Human-animal studies have focused on the discontinuity of both humans and non-human animals in society, where discourse has shifted to concentrate on animals as mutually beneficial components for both human and non-human societies (16-21). Contemporary human-animal studies are most broadly understood as the examination of interactions among human and non-human animals, emphasizing the expression of non-human agency (22)(23)(24). In her seminal book, "Animals in Society: An Introduction to Human-Animal Studies," DeMello (25) considers the conceptual construct of non-human animals within the Euro-American cultural context and the ways it reinforces and perpetuates hierarchical human relationships.…”

Section: Literature Review Changing Human Perceptions Of Non-human Animalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social Enterprise as a Model to Improve Live Release and Euthanasia Rates in Animal Shelters

Thomsen

Copeland

et al. 2021

Front. Vet. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper explored the role that social entrepreneurship may play in helping to improve euthanasia and live release rates in animal shelters. This paper used a qualitative, comparative ethnographic study that included semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and archival research. It compared two large animal shelters from the U.S. and Australia. Collectively, 21 formal interviews, more than 30 informal interviews, and participant observation were conducted over a 6-month time frame between the two countries. Findings indicate that three main factors may contribute to the transformation of non-profit animals shelters and result in improved euthanasia and live release rates, as well as animal caregiver burnout. These include: (1) professionalizing shelter management, (2) engaging with non-profit social enterprise activities, and (3) improving the efficiency of daily operations. In this paper, we argue that by embracing non-profit social enterprise activities, animal shelters may improve anthropocentric animal shelter activities to positively affect human and non-human rights, welfare, and agency. We do not contend that non-profit animal shelters should sacrifice their stated mission or ethics to include business practices. Rather, by professionalizing management and operations that include self-sustaining diverse revenue streams, it may free up time and resources to make a greater effect in positive non-human animal welfare and outcomes.

show abstract

Human-Animal Studies: Remembering the Past, Celebrating the Present, Troubling the Future

Cited by 25 publications

References 42 publications

Human Health Benefits of Non-Conventional Companion Animals: A Narrative Review

Human Health Benefits of Non-Conventional Companion Animals: A Narrative Review

The Impact of Plant Phytochemicals on the Gut Microbiota of Humans for a Balanced Life

Social Enterprise as a Model to Improve Live Release and Euthanasia Rates in Animal Shelters

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About