Human-Animal Bond Initiative

[nancynurse05]

Last semester I wrote a paper on the Human-Animal Bond Initiative. In a nutshell, clinical research is being conducted (headed by nurses) at various universities around the world to verify the physiological effects of being with an animal. It goes way beyond the therapy animal that makes its rounds at the hospital or nursing home. Cortisol levels (of humans), blood pressure, serotonin levels, attention span etc... are being looked at within a scientific protocol. I am extremely interested in this arena of nursing, does anyone else have any info on this topic or is interested in this topic?

The World Health Organization has recognized the validity of this type of research and is sponsoring an org. in the UK to be the coordinator of all the research conducted around the world.

[jemb]

I remember reading some research done about humans and cats, but I don't have the source handy. Among other things, it was verified that holding a cat lowers the blood pressure. (I remember thinking that could change quickly if the cat's claws came out! :chuckle )

[bonjovigirl]

I remember volunteering at a nursing home when I was younger. It was a gloomy place. Then they got Amber, a yellow lab. It was literally like you took ten years off these people instantly. She would go person to person, getting pet,and if the patient ignored her, she would put her head on the person's lap until they acknowledged her. She really kept the patients involved in things, and they just *lit* up when Amber came around. It was a miracle.

Then *sigh*, some families complained. Amber wasn't part of the deal when they put their parents in there. They complained fiercly. Amber went away.

That was a bad bad day.

If anyone wants to do any research, go to a nursing home where an animal lives. Its amazing.

I just reread your post, sorry I don't have any info for you. Just a nice memory...