The team at B.A.R.K. is excited to announce their inclusion in a new book exploring the positive impact of therapy and pet animals on human stress. Edited by Dr. Lori R. Kogan, The Impact of Therapy and Pet Animals on Human Stress, brings together a wealth of research on how animals—both pets and therapy partners—can help reduce stress and improve mental, physical, and psychological well-being.
B.A.R.K. researcher has been showcased in two chapters of this important work. The first, titled “A Mixed-Methods Examination of an On-Campus Canine-Assisted Intervention by Gender: Women, Men, and Gender-Diverse Individuals’ Self-Reports of Stress-Reduction and Well-Being” examined the impact of participants’ gender on outcome variables pre-and-post interacting with therapy dogs and their handlers. The second, “Therapy Dogs, Stress-Reduction, and Well-Being within the Detachment: Interviews with Law-Enforcement Personnel” explores, through qualitative interviews, the impact of a canine-assisted intervention embedded within the detachment setting.
In the book, readers will find a rich collection of studies from the field of Human-Animal Interactions, shedding light on how pets and therapy animals are being used in diverse settings—from schools and workplaces to therapy sessions and beyond.
The book also includes an introduction and conclusion from Dr. Kogan, setting the stage for understanding the broader implications of the research and the future of human-animal interactions in stress management.
For anyone interested in human health, therapy practices, or the profound bond between humans and animals, The Impact of Therapy and Pet Animals on Human Stress is a must-read. It serves as a valuable resource, providing both comprehensive knowledge and practical insights into how animals can make a meaningful difference in the lives of people dealing with stress.
Congratulations to B.A.R.K. researchers Dr. John-Tyler Binfet, Freya L. L. Green, Rebecca J.P. Godard, Madisyn M. Szypula, Camille X. Rousseau, and Jordy Decker for their contributions to this book!