The impact of human-dog interactions on psychophysiological indicators of human health & well-being

Human-animal interactions, particularly those involving companion animals like dogs, are widely believed to promote health and well-being. The inclusion of dogs into human health and well-being interventions is currently a burgeoning field. While the symbiotic nature of human-dog relationships, the development of attachment bonds, and perceived benefits to human health have attracted much scientific interest, the mechanisms through which human-dog interactions may confer health benefits to humans are still poorly understood. Progress in this field has been limited by significant variability in research methodologies, a reliance on subjective psychological measures, the complexity of human-animal dynamics and individual differences, and limited research in naturalistic settings. Developing rigorous research methodology is essential for understanding the psychophysiological processes involved and informing evidence-based interventions that utilize human-animal interactions to improve human health and well-being. The aim of the program of research reported in this thesis is to establish evidence for psychological and physiological mechanisms that may underlie health benefits conferred by human-dog interactions. It starts with a thorough review of existing knowledge in the field, followed by studies to develop and test novel methods to address limitations in previous research. The latter included the use of portable psychophysiological devices to measure heart and brain activity in real world situations involving interactions with dogs in comparison to baseline and standard relaxation conditions.