Integrative Model of Human-Animal Interactions: A One Health–One Welfare Systemic Approach to Studying HAI

Abstract

The Integrative Model of Human-Animal Interactions (IMHAI) described herewith provides a conceptual framework for the study of interspecies interactions and aims to model the primary emotional processes involved in human-animal interactions. This model was developed from theoretical inputs from three fundamental disciplines for understanding interspecies interactions: neuroscience, psychology and ethology, with the objective of providing a transdisciplinary approach on which field professionals and researchers can build and collaborate. Seminal works in affective neuroscience offer a common basis between humans and animals and, as such, can be applied to the study of interspecies interactions from a One Health-One Welfare perspective. On the one hand, Jaak Panksepp's research revealed that primary/basic emotions originate in the deep subcortical regions of the brain and are shared by all mammals, including humans. On the other hand, several works in the field of neuroscience show that the basic physiological state is largely determined by the perception of safety. Thus, emotional expression reflects the state of an individual's permanent adaptation to ever-changing environmental demands. Based on this evidence and over 5 years of action research using grounded theory, alternating between research and practice, the IMHAI proposes a systemic approach to the study of primary-process emotional affects during interspecies social interactions, through the processes of emotional transfer, embodied communication and interactive emotional regulation. IMHAI aims to generate new hypotheses and predictions on affective behavior and interspecies communication. Application of such a model should promote risk prevention and the establishment of positive links between humans and animals thereby contributing to their respective wellbeing.

Interdisciplinary approach of Yalom's group therapy factors: A theoretical model for including animal presence in social work education and practice

“…Animal presence, especially when included in functional group play situations, can help group members transcend the difficulty in expressing a need and asking for attention (spontaneous interactions). According to Leconstant and Spitz ( 39 ), interspecific play is considered a fertile venue to explore the capacity to correctly perceive and interpret signals emitted by partners ( 40 ). In terms of the mechanism of change, Porges ( 41 ) defines interactive play as a neural exercise, which requires synchronous and reciprocal behaviors between individuals as well as an awareness of the level of social engagement of each individual.…”

“…We recommend the inclusion in the explanatory framework of “imitative behavior” Yalom's group therapy factor of the concept social affordances . Social affordances are defined as possibilities for social interaction offered by an environment ( 39 ), in this case a heterospecific one, due to the animal presence in the group setting. When operating with the social affordances concepts, various authors, see for example [( 41 , 42 ) cited in ( 39 )] take into consideration the possibility that the intentionality of actions and the ability to understand the intentions of others are based more on primary and sensorimotor processes than on specialized cognitive abilities.…”

“…Social affordances are defined as possibilities for social interaction offered by an environment ( 39 ), in this case a heterospecific one, due to the animal presence in the group setting. When operating with the social affordances concepts, various authors, see for example [( 41 , 42 ) cited in ( 39 )] take into consideration the possibility that the intentionality of actions and the ability to understand the intentions of others are based more on primary and sensorimotor processes than on specialized cognitive abilities. When an individual is observing another individual petting and/or playing with a therapy animal in the context of a group environment, the process of resonance via mirror neurons can be understood as part of an intersubjective perceptual process ( 43 ).…”

“…Based on the findings of the qualitative analysis aiming to identify codes reflecting Yalom's group therapy factors in four evidence-based AAI-group studies, we recommend that Yalom's group therapy factors be fostered in AAI-group interventions by offering information/ psycho-education to the professionals and to the group participants about the theories supporting the beneficial effects of direct contact with the animals and about the potential mechanisms of interspecific positive interactions, i.e., the recently published Integrative Model of Human-Animal Interactions [IMHAI; ( 39 )].…”

“…The IMHAI provides an interdisciplinary conceptual framework for the study of interspecies interactions (including animal-assisted interventions), which is based .”.. on a systemic approach to the study of primary-process emotional affects during interspecies social interactions, through the processes of emotional transfer, embodied communication and interactive emotional regulation ” [IMHAI; ( 39 )]. The authors specify that emotions can be generated in social contexts and that they have an important social dimension and a high communicative value [( 44 ), cited in ( 39 )]. In developing the IMHAI model, the authors have approached the primary emotions according to the individual's perception of the physical and social environment in which the interactions are taking place.…”