Anthrozoology: what it is and how it studies the bond between animals and humans

This is anthrozoology, a science that examines how we relate to animals.

Pets are not just another element of our home. Unlike furniture or plants, pets are seen as members of the family whose relationship with people is often physically and emotionally beneficial.

Anthrozoology is a relatively new science that deals with the study of the that deals with the study of the relationship between humans and animals, especially those that are more domesticated. It also deals with improving the conditions of animals and how they can benefit us.

Given the large number of pets in our societies it is especially important to know how they can affect our mental health and how their presence can act as a protective factor against the manifestation of psychopathology and criminality.

What is anthrozoology?

Anthrozoology (from "anthropos", man, human being; and "zoon", animal) is the science that studies the interactions between humans and other animals, delving into their links and how they interact with each other.It is the science that studies the interactions between humans and other animals, delving into their bonds and how they influence each other psychologically, physically and emotionally. Throughout history, humans have coexisted with other animal species, both for food (e.g., milk and meat from cows) and for hunting and protection (e.g., dogs). All this is very easy to demonstrate just by looking at the prehistoric murals around the globe, where everyday scenes between humans and animals are depicted.

But although humans have benefited from animals since time immemorial, anthrozoology is a science whose origin is very recent, no more than fifty years old. Despite this, it has burst onto the current scene, especially with the aim of improving the dynamics between animals and humans, relationships that are very common in all societies, even in large cities.

The animals with which we have the greatest degree of integration and bonding are companion animals, with dogs and cats being especially popular in Western countries. in Western countries. In fact, in the case of Spain, almost half of all households have one of these two animals. Because they are found in so many families, it is necessary to know how the relationships established with them influence the health of the family with the intention of enhancing their benefits and avoiding their negative consequences.

Pathological relationships and maltreatment

One of the fields of study and intervention of anthrozoology is in those cases in which those cases in which a pathological relationship with animals has developed, being especially important the case of the Noah's syndrome.. The person suffering from this pathology tends to accumulate many animals at home, despite not having enough resources, time or knowledge to give them a good life.

Regardless of how much they love them, the animals enter a state of extreme neglect, with very little hygiene, wounds, parasites and diseases. Despite this and the odor emanating from the home, the person affected by the syndrome is not able to recognize the poor condition of their pets. In addition, they are not aware that their own health is at risk because the feces and remains of the animals that have taken over the house attract all kinds of vermin and infectious diseases.

Also related to animal welfare is anthrozoology, which deals with the cruel treatment of animals. deals with the cruel treatment of animals. Many people are not prepared and do not have the skills to have an animal in their home, or do not know the most appropriate way to treat them. This is why, unfortunately, there are many cases of aggression towards dogs and cats that end up being lethal. Many owners do not know how to educate their animals and, when they want the pet to stop behaving in a disruptive way, they exercise a serious mistreatment towards them.

The problem with these techniques is that on many occasions the animal becomes more hostile and less trainable, aggravating the already violent dynamics that occur in the home and causing the owners to abandon their pet. As these animals have had a life of abuse, their behavior can be very unstable and, if found in the street, they can become a real danger to any passerby. It is in these cases that many dogs and cats end up being euthanized, seen as dangerous and very difficult to adopt.

However, the main reason why many animals are abandoned is because of unexpected litters, as well as discovering that the sweet and inoffensive kitten or puppy they adopted, when it grows up, is a totally different animal, more difficult to control and with greater needs. The family, overwhelmed by this new situation that they did not see coming, as they do not know how to handle the situation nor find anyone willing to adopt, whether it is a litter of 10 puppies or a very big dog, they decide to abandon them to their fate.

Although in most developed countries there are legal mechanisms to stop abandonment and take care of abandoned animals, there is still a lot of awareness raising to be done. Anthrozoology not only aims to punish those who mistreat and abandon animals, but also to create protocols that serve to prevent these situations, teaching how to avoid litters, and how to prevent the abandonment of animals.The aim of anthrozoology is not only to punish those who abuse and abandon animals, but also to create protocols to prevent these situations, teaching how to avoid unexpected litters (sterilization) and educating to learn how to handle dogs and cats as they grow up.

Urban colonies

Although many people are aware of animal abandonment, especially of dogs and cats, the amount of adoptions does not match the immense amount of abandonment that occurs. Many animals end up on the street, trying to live the best life they can and have a free life.. The problem is that, unlike what many owners may think, the life of the wild pet is hard because, despite being animals, they are domesticated species that depend a lot on human action.

Abandoned cats and dogs have a much shorter life expectancy than their domesticated counterparts. Both species are accustomed to having their food brought to them, being given shelter and cleaned, a result of domestication by human action. Living one night on the street cannot reverse thousands of years of evolution and artificial selection. They will be wild animals, but will still require their domestic needs and sooner or later will die of starvation or disease.

If they survive, they may find other conspecifics of the opposite sex, fornicate and have litters in the wild. This is where we are facing a real problem, since the uncontrolled reproduction of dogs and cats, whose litters are numerous, is a real public health problem. Their infant mortality is very high, with hundreds of dead puppies rotting in the streets, producing a bad smell and attracting all kinds of vermin and scavengers.

The more stray cats and dogs there are, the more potentially dangerous animals there are on the streets. While cats tend to be more fearful of human presence, dogs born on the street are more hostile and can attack at any time. In addition, they scavenge, damage street furniture and may attack domestic cats and dogs on balconies or walking with their owners.

Fortunately, these urban pet colonies can be put to good use for the health of the city. While dogs are more dangerous, cats, under controlled numbers and health monitoring, can help control rodent infestations, especially rats and mice. These cat colonies should be managed ethically, with properly planned sterilizations and, if possible, microchipping or tracking systems.

The importance of animals

As we mentioned, pets are more than a piece of furniture or a plant in the home: they are members of the family. In many homes dogs and cats are treated like the rest of the inhabitants of the home, giving them affection, pampering them, giving them gifts and so on.. The presence of these furry friends has proven to be an important source of social capital, helping people to stay connected to their community, having a more open and prosocial attitude.

Neighborhoods where there is a high density of animal population per household are places where there is greater civility and neighborhood spirit, making neighbors collaborate more with each other. Moreover, it is in these same neighborhoods where there are better health indicators. Pets encourage social interaction and provide many advantages, although, of course, they can be a source of conflict between neighbors, especially due to issues such as barking or droppings in the street.

This is why it is necessary to apply regulations that regulate and favor the circulation and care of companion animals, avoiding their mistreatment and neglect and enhancing their function as social capital. These animals can provide mental health through the bonding between their owners and themselves, a phenomenon that hasa phenomenon that has been found to be universal. If their presence is well managed, companion animals are an important protective factor against psychopathology and social conflicts.

Among their positive effects we have, on the physical side, that they help to reduce heart diseases, especially because their presence can reduce Blood Pressure and stress. On the psychosocial side, pets are very good regulators and social catalysts, that is, they help us to socialize and bond with other people.

It is not uncommon to find that two people have become friends because one day they were walking down the street with their dogs, or that neighbors see a dog walker as a friendlier and more trustworthy person. Although to each his own, the vast majority of pets arouse positive emotions among their owners and friends, so that even pre-existing relationships can be strengthened when a dog or cat is adopted.

Healthier childhood

According to studies conducted by anthrozoology, the presence of an animal in the home is especially beneficial for children.. It has been found that contact with animals at an early age favors psychosocial and physical development. In addition, when children are going through a particularly difficult time on an emotional level, they look to animals, which are sources of selfless support. Whether it is a dog, a cat, a parrot or a turtle, pets do not judge or criticize what the child has done, they are simply there and give unconditional affection.

In addition, the presence of pets favors the development of empathy and prosocial behavior, and also helps them in their cognitive and linguistic development.. In addition to this, the medical health of the little ones is more resistant, presenting fewer allergies and less school absenteeism, since their immune system is more resistant, being less prone to contract infectious diseases.

Animal therapy

Lastly, anthrozoology has been in charge of how to make therapeutic use of animals by devising all kinds of animal-assisted interventions or AAI.. They provide benefits through human-animal interaction and are applied to all kinds of groups: people with mental disorders, intellectual and/or motor disabilities, at risk of social exclusion or with other special requirements.

Among the most important are equine therapy, i.e., therapy assisted with horses, although there are also those with the most varied animals. A rather curious case is that of Wally, an alligator used in therapy for depression and other mood disorders that, thanks to its docility and friendliness, has not only helped to change the lives of many people with mental disorders, but has also won many sympathies. The case of this reptile and that of other animals demonstrate how beneficial and curious human-animal relationships can be.

Bibliographical references:

• Díaz-Videla, M., Olarte, M. and Camacho, J. (2015). Anthrozoology: definitions, areas of development and practical applications for health professionals. European Scientific Journal. 2.