This book sets out to examine how animals affect their companion humans' quality of life. The contributors address human animal interaction (HAI) according to the elements that define quality of life: physical; mental/emotional and social health; functional health; and general well-being. The book will be required reading for all health and social science professionals caring for clients who already have companion animals or for clients who might benefit from such interaction.

Introduction - Cindy C WilsonPART ONE: HISTORICAL AND VALUE PERSPECTIVEEffects of Pet Contact on Human Well-Being - Thomas Garrity and Lorann StallonesPerspectives on Animal-Assisted Activities and Therapy - Linda Hines and Maureen FredricksonHippotherapy and Therapeutic Riding - Jane Copeland-Fitzpatrick and Jean Tebay An International ReviewPART TWO: BEYOND HEALTH: EXTENDING THE DEFINITION OF HEALTH TO QUALITY OF LIFEA Conceptual Framework for Human-Animal Interaction Research - Cindy C Wilson The Challenge RevisitedModels for Measuring Quality of Life - Ivan Barofsky and Andrew Rowan Implications for Human-Animal Interaction ResearchPART THREE: QUALITY OF LIFE OUTCOMES: PSYCHOSOCIAL ASPECTS OF HUMAN ANIMAL INTERACTIONSIntroduction - Cindy C WilsonA Theoretical Basis for Health Benefits of Pet Ownership - Glyn Collis and June McNicholas Attachment versus Psychological SupportLoneliness, Stress and Human-Animal Attachment among Older Adults - Carolyn P KeilThe Relationship between Attachment to Companion Animals and Self-Esteem - Sandra Lookabaugh Triebenbacher A Development PerspectiveBlind People and their Dogs - Melanie Steffens and Reinhold Bergler An Empirical Study on Changes in Everyday Life, in Self-Experience and in CommunicationPART FOUR: QUALITY OF LIFE OUTCOMES: THE RELEVANCE OF ANIMALS TO CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTHIntroduction - Cindy C WilsonAnimals and Cardiovascular Health - Warwick Anderson and Anthony DartCould Type A (Coronary Prone) Personality Explain the Association between Pet Ownership and Health? - June McNicholas and Glyn CollisPet Ownership, Social Support and One Year Survival after Acute Myocardial Infarction in the Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression - Erika FriedmannThe Effect of a Therapy Dog on Socialization and Physiological Indicators of Stress in Person¿s Diagnosed with Alzheimer¿s Disease - Kathryn Batson et alPART FIVE: HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT: AGE SPECIFIC QUALITY OF LIFE OUTCOMESIntroduction - Cindy C WilsonThe Role of Companions Animals in Human Development - Gail MelsonImpact of Pet Ownership on the Well-Being of Adolescents with Few Familial Resources - Nancy M BodmerPART SIX: ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY PROGRAMS: DYNAMIC INTERACTIONS WHICH IMPACT QUALITY OF LIFEIntroduction - Cindy C WilsonThe Importance of Training Standards and Policy for Service Animals - Susan DuncanCompanion Animal Welfare in Private and Institutional Settings - Robert Hubrecht and Dennis C Turner