Special Issue "Coping, Stress and Crisis Response within the Field of Human Animal Interactions"
A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Human-Animal Interactions, Animal Behaviour and Emotion".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2022.
Special Issue Editors
Interests: animal assisted interventions; dysfunctional and clinical aspects of human animal interactions; stress in the field of HAI
Interests: animal assisted interventions; dysfunctional and clinical aspects of human animal interactions; stress in the field of HAI
Interests: animal assisted interventions; dysfunctional and clinical aspects of human animal interactions; stress in the field of HAI
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Nowadays, many researchers are investigating the effects of animals on bio-psycho-social parameters and most studies (including short-term interactions with animals as well as long-term interactions such as ownership) report positive effects of animals on humans’ well-being. However, there is still a lack of knowledge about how both short-term and long-term relationships with animals influence coping in general, stress management, crisis response, and factors like resilience for humans and for animals – aspects that play a major role in the COVID-19 pandemic in particular.
Therefore, the aim of the current Special Issue is to provide a body of research on the topic of human animal relationship (long-term and short-term) and coping, stress and crisis response. This Special Issue invites all researchers contributing reviews and original articles within the field of HAI concerning stress and coping in general as well as in times of COVID-19. We especially (but not exclusively) invite papers on studies that focus on the role of professional and volunteer work in human-animal-interaction (ranging from veterinarians and animal welfare to people in any form of animal care and/or similar organisations).
Prof. Dr. Birgit U. StetinaGuest Editor
Lisa Emmett
Christine Krouzecky
Co-Guest Editors
Keywords
- coping, stress management
- stress, crisis response
- (vulnerable) populations
- human-animal interactions
- human-animal bond
- animal-assisted interventions
- COVID-19 pandemic
Planned Papers
The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.
Title: Fecal cortisol, weight and behavior as measures of stress and welfare in shelter cats during their assimilation into families of children with autism
Authors: Gretchen K. Carlisle; Rebecca A. Johnson; Colleen S. Koch; Leslie A. Lyons; Ze Wang; Jessica Bibbo; Nancy Cheak-Zamora
Affiliation: University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction
Abstract: Cats are the most common companion animal (CA) in United States households, and many of these cats live in families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The prevalence of ASD is one in 54 and many children have behavior challenges, as well as their diagnostic communication disorders. Benefits of CAs for children with ASD have been identified, but little is known about the welfare of CAs in these homes. This pilot randomized controlled trial explored the welfare of cats (N = 10) screened for calm temperament using the Feline Temperament Profile (FTP) and adopted by families of children with ASD. Cat stress was measured using fecal cortisol, weight and a behavior stress measure (Cat Stress Score). Measures were taken at baseline, in the shelter, two to three days after adoption, and at weeks six, 12 and 18. Cats assimilated into these families without a statistically significant increase in stress. Families of children with ASD may provide a possible home for shelter cats, when cats have been screened for calm temperament and families provided with cat behavior educational support.