A physiological basis for animal -facilitated psychotherapy

The aims of this study were to integrate existing theories on positive human-human and human-animal interaction and, to find common physiological support for such a theoretical foundation.

By using an elective approach, positive interaction (attention needs) was valued in 16 personology theories as an integral part of the psychological, emotional, social and cultural needs of all individuals. Attention was indicated as a basic need and that many of the therapeutic advantages claimed from human-animal interaction, are actually based on such a need. It was further indicated that positive interaction between man and animal is reciprocal and this mutual effect can contribute to the success of the therapy. The term used to described this basic need of positive interaction is attentionis egens. A Latin term was chosen to avoid confusion with the term attention-seeking behaviour which is often associated with problem behaviour.

A physiological framework was used to support the theoretical foundation. This was based on known studies related to human-human and animal-animal affiliation, providing measurable parameters for positive human-animal interaction. The method was to take baseline values before and measurements after positive interaction with a dog. Parameters were an anxiety questionnaire, blood pressure, phenylethylamine, norepinephrine, dopamine, endorphins, oxytocin, prolactin and cortisol. The indication to collect blood for chemical analyses was a decrease in blood pressure over a period of five to 25 minutes of positive interaction. Participants were divided into two groups: the experimental group interacted with their own dogs and the control group with unfamiliar dogs.

The effect of interacting with dogs was also compared to the effect of quire book reading by the same participants.

The results supported the mural physiological effect in human and dogs as well as the theoretical foundation for animal-facilitated psychotherapy. Such physiological parameters paved the way for an encompassing theory on positive interaction behaviour and thus provided a rationale for animals in therapy, particularly where basic attention needs are to be fulfilled. The attentionis egens theory proved to be rather accommodating than opposing other positive interaction theories.