Human-Animal Interaction

Body language: its importance for communication with horses

Body language is important for communication between individuals. Body language is based on the fact that the thought, alone of performing a known action will activate the motor neurons used for the action, resulting in a slight contraction of the...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Animal Training, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Ladewig, J. 2019. Body language: its importance for communication with horses. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 29, 147-148. (13th International Society of Equitation Science (ISES) Conference Abstract)

The gray matter: Prevention and reduction of abnormal behavior in companion gray parrots (Psittacus erithacus)

Gray parrots (Psittacus erithacus) are popular companion birds, particularly noted for their ability to mimic human speech, their intelligence, and longevity. They are also prone to developing abnormal behaviors such as feather damaging behavior. This review explores the current available...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Body Modification/Mutilation, Environmental Enrichment, Human-Animal Interaction, Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Bird, Parrot

Citation: Greenwell, P. J., Montrose, V. T. 2017. The gray matter: Prevention and reduction of abnormal behavior in companion gray parrots (Psittacus erithacus). Journal of Veterinary Behavior 20, 44-51.

Effects of three non-confrontational handling techniques on the behavior of horses during a simulated mildly aversive veterinary procedure

During mildly aversive healthcare procedures, horses often exhibit behaviors that may interrupt or prolong the procedure. Handler response often includes increased restraint and/or positive punishment, which can be ineffective or counterproductive. The purpose of this study was to compare the...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Handling, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Watson, J., McDonnell, S. 2016. Effects of three non-confrontational handling techniques on the behavior of horses during a simulated mildly aversive veterinary procedure. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 15, 85-86. (12th International Society of Equitation Science (ISES) Conference Abstract)

Effect of the presence of a person known to the cats on the feeding behavior and placement of feeders of a domestic cat colony

Knowledge of the organization and dynamics of the relationships between animals and the environment and its resources is important to meet the needs of any species. We analyzed the effect the presence of a person known to the cats had...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Human-Animal Interaction, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Cat

Citation: Damasceno, J., Genaro, G., Sangaletti Terçariol, C. A. 2016. Effect of the presence of a person known to the cats on the feeding behavior and placement of feeders of a domestic cat colony. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 11, 31-36.

Compassion fatigue, euthanasia stress, and their management in laboratory animal research

This review is designed to assist both individuals and organizations involved in animal-based research to understand and appreciate the importance and potential risks of compassion fatigue and euthanasia stress. We reviewed current literature regarding compassion fatigue and euthanasia stress as...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Newsome, J. T., Clemmons, E. A., Fitzhugh, D. C. et al. 2019. Compassion fatigue, euthanasia stress, and their management in laboratory animal research. JAALAS 58(3), 289-292.

Goats prefer positive human emotional facial expressions

Domestication has shaped the physiology and the behaviour of animals to better adapt to human environments. Therefore, human facial expressions may be highly informative for animals domesticated for working closely with people, such as dogs and horses. However, it is...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Goat

Citation: Nawroth C., Albuquerque N., Savalli C. et al. 2018. Goats prefer positive human emotional facial expressions. Royal Society Open Science 5(8), 180491.

A protocol of human animal interaction to habituate young sheep and goats for behavioural studies

Animal habituation is key to obtain reliable data on behavioural studies but detailed procedures to achieve it are scarce. This study designed a set of actions to habituate sheep and goats to human observers. Pelibuey sheep (n = 15) and Criollo goats...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Animal Training, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Goat, Sheep

Citation: González-Pech, P. G., Marín-Tun, C. G., Valladares-González, D.A. et al. 2018. A protocol of human animal interaction to habituate young sheep and goats for behavioural studies. Behavioural Processes 157, 632-637.

Gentle abdominal stroking (‘belly rubbing’) of pigs by a human reduces EEG total power and increases EEG frequencies

The neurobiological response to gentle touch remains poorly understood, especially in the context of human-animal interaction. A novel approach allowed recording the pig electroencephalogram (EEG) cranially epidurally and wirelessly during positive interactions with a human. Stroking of the pig's abdomen...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Rault, J.-L., Truong, S., Hemsworth, L. et al. 2019. Gentle abdominal stroking (‘belly rubbing') of pigs by a human reduces EEG total power and increases EEG frequencies. Behavioural Brain Research 374, 111892.

Refinement: promoting Gallus Gallus welfare in an experimental poultry unit

The poultry team at The Pirbright Institute reviewed existing husbandry practices and trialled several refinement practices. The objective was to provide the birds used in research with an environment which enables them to express their natural behaviours and habituates them...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Harris, K., New, R., Smith, P. et al. 2019. Refinement: promoting Gallus Gallus welfare in an experimental poultry unit. Animal Technology and Welfare 18(2), 137-139. (IAT Congress 2018 Poster Presentation)

Enrichment centered on human interaction moderates fear-induced aggression and increases positive expectancy in fearful shelter dogs

Some otherwise non-aggressive dogs may display fear-induced aggression under stressful conditions. Admittance to an animal shelter is a stressful experience for dogs, and aggression is often used as a criterion by shelters for precluding opportunities for adoption. We, therefore, examined...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Willen, R. M., Schiml, P. A., Hennessy, M. B. Enrichment centered on human interaction moderates fear-induced aggression and increases positive expectancy in fearful shelter dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 217, 57-62.