ArticleAnimals : an open access journal from MDPI2022
Defining Terms Used for Animals Working in Support Roles for People with Support Needs.
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Article in Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 25 papers.
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25 citing papers in PubMed, 64 citations in OpenAlex.
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- Who are leeches? Exploring malleability in human-leech relations through ethnographies from Dagestan and Turkey.Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine · 2025Article
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- An exploratory investigation of psychosocial effects of service dogs on veterans' families from the perspective of family members.Frontiers in psychology · 2025Article
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- Feasibility, efficacy, and safety of animal-assisted activities with visiting dogs in inpatient pediatric oncology.World journal of pediatrics : WJP · 2024Article
- Impact of Interactions with a Puppy and Handler Versus a Handler Alone on Stress and Vitality in a University Setting: A Crossover Study.Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2024Article
- What Is a Working Equid? Analysis of Current Terminology and a Suggested Definition.Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2024Article
- An overview of the literature on assistance dogs using text mining and topic analysis.Frontiers in veterinary science · 2024Review
- The effects of service dogs for children with autism spectrum disorder and their caregivers: a cross-sectional study.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2024Article
- Barriers to finding and maintaining pet-inclusive affordable housing: Tenant experiences in Houston, Texas.Frontiers in veterinary science · 2024Article
- Rudolph, the kids' ward reindeer: a scoping review of the effects of support animals on the well-being of healthcare staff.Journal of occupational medicine and toxicology (London, England) · 2023Article
- Characteristics of Animal-assisted Interventions in the state of Lower Saxony, Germany, with a focus on hygiene in health care facilities.One health (Amsterdam, Netherlands) · 2023Article
- Developing and Planning a Protocol for Implementing Health Promoting Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) in a Tertiary Health Setting.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2023Article
- Understanding the Role of Therapy Dogs in Human Health Promotion.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2023Review
- Exploring the Experiences of Volunteer Assistance Dog Puppy Raisers from the Same Program at Two Australian University Campuses.Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2023Article
- Assistance Dogs for People with Younger (Early)-Onset Dementia: The Family Carer's Experience.Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2023Article
- Digital Technology Supporting the Remote Human-Dog Interaction: Scoping Review.Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2023Article
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Authors and funding
77 authors at 20 institutions in 16 countries.
Tiffani J HowellSchool of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC 3552, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-4932-5792
Leanne NieforthOHAIRE, Comparative Pathobiology, Center for the Human Animal Bond, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.ORCID 0000-0003-0281-2072
Clare Thomas-PinoHuman-Animal Interaction, Department of Animal and Agriculture, Hartpury University, Gloucester GL19 3BE, UK.
Lauren SametDogs Trust, London EC1V 7RQ, UK.ORCID 0000-0003-3325-6056
Sunday AgbonikaDogalov Human Support Initiative, Abuja 900108, Nigeria.
Francisca Cuevas-PavincichCentro de Estudios en Bienestar y Convivencia Social, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7610658, Chile.ORCID 0000-0003-4456-3270
Nina Ekholm FryInstitute for Human-Animal Connection, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80208, USA.
Kristine HillEASE Working Group, College of Social Sciences and International Studies, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4PY, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-3429-5818
Brinda JegatheesanCollege of Education, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Miki KakinumaDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan.ORCID 0000-0001-8721-9029
Maureen MacNamaraDepartment of Social Work, Beaver College of Health Sciences, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28607, USA.
Sanna Mattila-RautiainenSports and Exercise Medicine, Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1, 70600 Kuopio, Finland.
Andy PerryDepartment of Anthrozoology, University of Exeter (alumnus), Exeter EX4 4PY, UK.
Christine Y Tardif-WilliamsChild and Youth Studies, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-3581-6312
Elizabeth Ann WalshCork Pet Behaviour Centre, P85 YF58 Cork, Ireland.ORCID 0000-0002-7277-0325
Melissa WinkleDogwood Therapy Services, Albuquerque, NM 87120, USA.ORCID 0000-0003-0326-1188
Mariko YamamotoDepartment of Animal Sciences, Teikyo University of Science, Uenohara, Yamanashi 409-0193, Japan.
Rachel YerburyIllawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.ORCID 0000-0001-9498-5047
Vijay RawatSchool of Health, Medical & Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
Kathy AlmProfessional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, Denver, CO 80233, USA.
Ashley AvciRisk Frontiers, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia.
Tanya BaileyBoynton Health, Office of Student Affairs, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.ORCID 0000-0003-3564-4335
Hannah BakerUniversity Centre Sparsholt, University of Winchester, Sparsholt, Winchester SO21 2NF, UK.
Pree BentonDogs for Life, Caulfield South, VIC 3162, Australia.
Catherine BinneyHalcyon CIC, Worcestershire WR5 3LF, UK.
Sara BoyleVirginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
Hagit BrandesThe Program for Animal-Assisted-Psychotherapy, Tel-Hai College, Upper Galilee 1220800, Israel.
Alexa M CarrDepartment of Human Development, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-4080-9272
Wendy CoombeAnimal Therapies Ltd., Gold Coast, QLD 4209, Australia.
Kendra CoulterManagement and Organizational Studies, Huron University College at Western University, London, ON N6G 1H3, Canada.
Audrey DarbyEquine Therapy Unit, ChildVision National Education Centre for Blind Children, D09 WKOH Dublin, Ireland.
Lowri DaviesIndependent Researcher, Bedford MK40 2DU, UK.
Esther DelisleThe Canadian Institute of Animal-Assisted Interventions, Montréal, QC H3V 1C7, Canada.ORCID 0000-0003-4042-0563
Marie-Jose Enders-SlegersFaculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University the Netherlands, 6419 AT Heerlen, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-2781-2952
Angela FournierDepartment of Psychology, Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN 56601, USA.
Marie FoxSchool of Law & Social Justice, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK.
Nancy GeeCenter for Human-Animal Interaction, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.ORCID 0000-0003-2890-9884
Taryn M GrahamIndependent Researcher, Toronto, ON M4E 3L9, Canada.
Anne Hamilton-BruceStroke Research Programme, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital & Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, Woodville South, SA 5011, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-5222-620X
Tia G B HansenCenter for Human Animal Psychology, Department of Communication and Psychology, Aalborg University, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark.
Lynette HartSchool of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Morag HeirsClinical Animal Behaviour, Well Connected Canine, York YO24 3HG, UK.
Jade HooperFaculty of Social Science, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-0660-8194
Rachel HoweSchool of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland.ORCID 0000-0002-7645-4282
Elizabeth JohnsonDepartment of Anthropology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas 89183, NV, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-3914-6600
Melanie JonesOrygen Centre for Excellence in Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
Christos KaragiannisHellenic Institute of Canine & Feline Behaviour, 15122 Athens, Greece.
Emily KiesonMiMer Centre, 247 95 Torna Hallestad, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0002-0858-1343
Sun-A KimClinical Animal Behavior Service, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea.ORCID 0000-0003-4104-239X
Christine KivlenOccupational Therapy, Health Care Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
Beth LanningDepartment of Public Health, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-2505-4799
Helen LewisDepartment of Education and Childhood Studies, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.ORCID 0000-0003-4329-913X
Deborah LinderDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Tufts Institute for Human-Animal Interaction, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.ORCID 0000-0003-4723-793X
Dac Loc MaiSchool of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC 3552, Australia.ORCID 0000-0003-0490-9169
Chiara MaritiDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-7127-4680
Rebecca MeadDogs Trust, London EC1V 7RQ, UK.ORCID 0000-0003-2849-0307
Gilly Mendes FerreiraScottish SPCA (Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), Dunfermline KY11 8RY, UK.ORCID 0000-0003-3000-0354
Debbie NgaiHong Kong Animal Assisted Therapy Association (HKAATA), Hong Kong, China.
Samantha O'KeeffeGuide Dogs NSW/ACT, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia.
Grainne O'ConnorIndependent Researcher, Cumbria CA17 4QD, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-1933-4751
Christine OlsenDyrebar Omsorg AS, 1458 Fjellstrand, Norway.
Elizabeth OrmerodSociety for Companion Animal Studies, Godmachester, Cambridgeshire PE29 2BQ, UK.
Emma R PowerInstitute for Culture and Society, School of Social Sciences, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.ORCID 0000-0001-5204-322X
Peggy A PritchardDepartment of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.ORCID 0000-0003-0314-3237
Kerri RodriguezHuman-Animal Bond in Colorado, School of Social Work, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-3395-4818
Deborah RookNorthumbria Law School, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK.
Matthew B RubySchool of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC 3552, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-9562-6510
Leah SchofieldSolihull College and University Centre, Solihull B91 1SB, UK.
Tania SignalSchool of Health, Medical & Applied Sciences, College of Psychology, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD 4702, Australia.ORCID 0000-0001-5677-9496
Jill SteelMoray House School of Education and Sports Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 8AQ, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-9061-3198
Wendy StoneCentre for Urban Transitions, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
Melissa SymondsFaculty of Health, Education and Society, The University of Northampton, Northampton NN1 5PH, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-5304-8353
Diane van RooyIndependent Researcher, Sunbury, VIC 3429, Australia.
Tiamat WardaInstitute for Human-Animal Connection, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80208, USA.
Monica WilsonSchool of Education, Communication and Language Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK.
Janette YoungAllied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-2284-3485
Pauleen BennettSchool of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC 3552, Australia.ORCID 0000-0001-5864-4464
La Trobe University · AUCentral Queensland University · AUDogs Trust · GBUniversity of Denver · USUniversity of Exeter · GBAalborg University · DKAppalachian State University · USBasil Hetzel Institute · AUBaylor University · USBedford Hospital · GBBemidji State University · USBrock University · CACanadian Institute for Advanced Research · CACaulfield Hospital · AUChungbuk National University · KRColorado State University · USFjellstrand (Norway) · NOHartpury University · GBMacquarie University · AUMiMER Centre · SE
Funding
Australian Government n/a
Abstract
The nomenclature used to describe animals working in roles supporting people can be confusing. The same term may be used to describe different roles, or two terms may mean the same thing. This confusion is evident among researchers, practitioners, and end users. Because certain animal roles are provided with legal protections and/or government-funding support in some jurisdictions, it is necessary to clearly define the existing terms to avoid confusion. The aim of this paper is to provide operationalized definitions for nine terms, which would be useful in many world regions: "assistance animal", "companion animal", "educational/school support animal", "emotional support animal", "facility animal", "service animal", "skilled companion animal", "therapy animal", and "visiting/visitation animal". At the International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ) conferences in 2018 and 2020, over 100 delegates participated in workshops to define these terms, many of whom co-authored this paper. Through an iterative process, we have defined the nine terms and explained how they differ from each other. We recommend phasing out two terms (i.e., "skilled companion animal" and "service animal") due to overlap with other terms that could potentially exacerbate confusion. The implications for several regions of the world are discussed.
Indexed as
assistance animalcompanion animaleducational support animalemotional support animalfacility animalhuman–animal interactionservice animaltherapy animalvisiting animal
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