Anthrozoology: What It Is And How It Studies The Link Between Animals And Humans
Pets are not just another element of our home. Unlike furniture or plants, pets are seen as members of the family whose relationships with people are usually physically and emotionally beneficial.
Anthrozoology is a relatively new science which is responsible for the study of the relationships between human beings and animals, especially those that are more domesticated. It is also responsible for 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 crime.
Anthrozoology (from “anthropos”, man, human being; and “zoon”, animal) is the science that studies the interactions between humans and other animals, delving into their bonds and how they influence each other on a psychological, physical and emotional level. Throughout history, humans have coexisted with other animal species, both to feed themselves (e.g., milk and meat from cows) and to hunt and protect themselves (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 intensely into the current panorama, especially with the objective 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 fact, in the case of Spain, almost half of the homes 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 its benefits and avoiding its negative consequences.
Pathological relationships and abuse
One of the fields of study and intervention of anthrozoology is in those cases in which a pathological relationship with animals has developed, the case of Noah’s syndrome being especially important The person who suffers from this pathology tends to accumulate many animals in their home, despite not having enough resources, time or knowledge to give them a good life.
Regardless of how much you love them, the animals enter a state of extreme neglect, with very little hygiene, wounds, parasites and diseases. Despite this and the smell that emanates from the home, those affected by the syndrome are not able to recognize the poor condition in which their pets are. Furthermore, he is not aware that his own health is at risk since the feces and remains of the animals that have taken over the house attract all kinds of vermin and infectious diseases.
Also related to the well-being of animals we have anthrozoology deals with cruel treatment of animals Many people are not prepared or have the skills to have an animal in their home, or they do not know what is the most appropriate way to treat them. This is why, unfortunately, there are many cases of attacks on 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 severely mistreat them.
The problem with these techniques is that in many cases the animal becomes more hostile and less trainable, aggravating the already violent dynamics that occur in the home and causing owners to end up abandoning their pet. As these animals have had a life of abuse, their behavior can be very unstable and, if found on 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 because they are seen as dangerous and very difficult to adopt.
However, the main reason why many animals are abandoned is unexpected litters, in addition to discovering that that sweet and harmless kitten or puppy that 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, since they do not know how to handle the situation nor can they find anyone who wants to adopt, be it a litter of 10 puppies or a very large 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 It not only aims to punish those who mistreat and abandon animals, but also aims to create protocols that serve to prevent these situations teaching how to avoid unexpected litters (sterilization) and educating to learn to handle dogs and cats as they grow.
urban colonies
Although many people are aware of animal abandonment, especially dogs and cats, the number of adoptions does not cope with the immense number of abandonments that occur. Many animals end up on the streets, trying to live the best way they can and having a free life The problem is that, unlike what many owners may think, the life of wild pets is hard since, despite being animals, they are domesticated species that depend greatly on human action.
Abandoned cats and dogs have a much lower life expectancy than their homeless counterparts. Both species are accustomed to having food brought to them, shelter and cleaning, a result of domestication by human action. Living a night on the street cannot reverse thousands of years of evolution and artificial selection. They will be wild animals, but they will continue to require their domestic needs and sooner or later they will die of hunger or disease.
If they survive, they may encounter other conspecifics of the opposite sex, fornicate and have wild litters. This is where we are faced with a real problem, since the uncontrolled reproduction of dogs and cats, whose litters are numerous, represents a real public health problem. Its infant mortality is very high, with hundreds of dead puppies rotting in the streets, producing a bad smell and attracting all types of bugs and scavengers.
The more stray cats and dogs there are, the more potentially dangerous animals are found on public roads 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 rummage through garbage, damage street furniture and can attack domestic dogs and cats that are on balconies or walking with their owners.
Fortunately, these urban pet colonies can be used to benefit the health of the city. Although dogs are more dangerous, cats, under controlled numbers and with health monitoring, can help control rodent infestations, especially rats and mice. These cat colonies must be managed ethically, with properly planned sterilizations and, if possible, a microchip or location system placed on them.
The importance of animals
As we mentioned, pets are more than just 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 love, 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 linked to their community, having a more open and prosocial attitude.
Neighborhoods in which 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. Furthermore, 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 over issues such as barking or droppings on public roads.
This is why it is necessary to apply regulations that regulate and favor the circulation and care of pets, preventing their mistreatment and neglect and enhancing their function as social capital. These animals They can provide mental health through the bond between their owners and them, a phenomenon that has been seen to be universal. When their presence is well managed, companion animals are an important protective factor against psychopathology and social conflicts.
Among its positive effects we have, on the physical side, that they help reduce heart disease, especially because its presence can reduce blood pressure and stress. At the same time, through psychosocial means, pets are very good social regulators and catalysts, that is, they help us socialize and bond with other people.
It is not unusual 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 the colors vary, the vast majority of pets awaken positive emotions among their owners and friends, making it possible to even strengthen pre-existing relationships when adopting a dog or cat.
Healthier childhood
According to studies carried out by anthrozoology, The presence of an animal in the home is especially beneficial for children It has been seen that contact with animals at an early age favors psychosocial and physical development. Furthermore, 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 them their unconditional affection.
Furthermore, the presence of pets It promotes the development of empathy and prosocial behavior and also helps them in their cognitive and linguistic development Added to this, the medical health of children is more resistant, presenting fewer allergies and less school absenteeism, since their immune system is more resistant, making them less prone to contracting infectious diseases.
Animal therapy
Finally, anthrozoology has been responsible for how to make therapeutic use of animals by devising all types of animal-assisted interventions or AAI In them, benefits are obtained through human-animal interaction and are applied to all types of groups: people with mental disorders, intellectual and/or motor disabilities, risk of social exclusion or with other special requirements.
Among the most important are equine therapy, that is, therapy assisted with horses, although there are also therapies with the most diverse animals. A rather curious case is that of Wally, an alligator used in therapy for depression and other mood disorders who, thanks to his docility and friendliness, has not only helped change the lives of many people with mental disorders but has also , has earned a lot of sympathy. The case of this reptile and that of other animals demonstrate how beneficial and curious the relationships between humans and animals can be.
