Abstract
Since the first serendipitous findings on the beneficial effects of animals in therapeutic settings, researchers have been investigating the contribution of pets to the quality of life of their owners, and their positive influence on the physical, psychological and social aspects of people’s lives. Animal-assisted interventions (AAI)—that is, any kind of therapy, coaching, counseling or educational program, or other activity undertaken with the aid of animals (IAHAIO, IAHAIO white paper. Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://www.iahaio.org, 2014)—are therefore increasingly used in healthcare, particularly in hospitals and nursing homes, as well as in psychiatric institutions and supported living facilities. AAI can be found in several different disciplines and settings, including psychology, psychiatry, nursing care, speech therapy, physiotherapy, as well as in assistance and coaching trajectories (Banman, Journal of Pastoral Care, 49, 274–278, 1995; Bardill and Hutchinson, Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 10(1), 17–24, 1997; Fine, Handbook on animal-assisted therapy: Foundations and guidelines for animal-assisted interventions (4 ed.). London: Academic Press, 2015). Although AAI are recognized across the world, it is worth noting that local ethical and legal regulations, as well as awareness of the science behind AAI, vary from country to country. The cooperation between practitioners and scholars seems inevitable; however, it is yet to take place in many societies. This chapter discusses the example of the Netherlands, where the establishment of the community of practitioners and academics from the field of Anthrozoology has recently taken place and its development is in progress.
Among the most important achievements in the Netherlands are the foundation of AAIZOO (AAI in Healthcare, Research and Education Foundation) and the foundation of a Chair in Anthrozoology at the Open University in Heerlen (Enders-Slegers, Antrozoölogie: (over)leven met dieren. Heerlen: Open Universiteit, 2013). In September 2015, the Instituut voor Antrozoölogie (IVA; Institute for Anthrozoology) was founded, where research and profession will profit off each other’s knowledge and expertise, adding to the quality of work in both legs of the discipline.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
AAIZOO. (2015). Animal assisted interventions in Zorg. Onderzoek en Onderwijs. Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://www.aaizoo.nl
Banman, J. K. (1995). Animal-assisted therapy with adolescents in a psychiatric facility. Journal of Pastoral Care, 49, 274–278.
Bardill, N., & Hutchinson, S. (1997). Animal-assisted therapy with hospitalized adolescents. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 10(1), 17–24.
Beck, A. M., & Katcher, A. H. (1984). A new look at pet-facilitated therapy. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 184, 414–421.
Beck, A. M., & Katcher, A. H. (1996). Between pets and people: The importance of animal companionship. West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Press.
Beck, A. M., & Katcher, A. H. (2003). Future directions in human-animal bond research. American Behavioral Scientist, 47(1), 79–93.
Beetz, A., Kotrschal, K., Hediger, K., Turner, D., & Uvnäs-Moberg, K. (2011). The effect of a real dog, toy dog and friendly person on insecurely attached children during a stressful task: An exploratory study. Anthrozoös, 24, 349–368.
Berget, B., Pedersen, I., Enders-Slegers, M. J., Beetz, A., Scholl, S., & Kovacs, G. (2013). Benefits of animal-assisted interventions for different target groups in a Green care context. In C. Gallis (Ed.), Green care: For human therapy, social innovation, rural economy and education. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers.
Bradshaw, J. W. S. (1991). The origins of ISAZ. ISAZ Newsletter 1.
Brown, S. (1992). New institutes for the study of human-animal interactions in Europe. ISAZ Newsletter 2.
De Bruin, S. R., Ferwerda-van Zonneveld, R. T., Elings, M., & Hassink, J. (2013). Effects of green care farms on different client groups: Experiences from the Netherlands. In C. Gallis (Ed.), Green care: For human therapy, social innovation, and rural economy, and education. New York: Nova Science Publishers Inc.
De Bruin, S. R., Oosting, S. J., Enders-Slegers, M. J., Van der Zijpp, A. J., & Schols, J. M. G. A. (2010). The concept of green care farms for demented elderly: An integrative framework. Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 9(1), 79–128.
DeMello, M. (2012). Animals and society: An introduction to human-animal studies. New York: Columbia University Press.
Endenburg, N. (1991). Animals as companions: Demographic, motivational and ethical aspects of companion animal ownership (Doctoral Dissertation). Amsterdam, Netherlands: University of Amsterdam.
Endenburg, N. (2005). The death of a companion animal and human bereavement. In F. H. de Jonge & R. van den Bos (Eds.), The human–animal relationship. Forever and a day (pp. 110–120). Assen, Netherlands: Royal van Gorcum.
Endenburg, N., & van Lith, H. A. (2011). The influence of animals on the development of children. Veterinary Journal, 190, 208–214.
Endenburg, N., van Lith, H. A., & Kirpensteijn, J. (2014). Longitudinal study of Dutch children’s attachment to companion animals. Society and Animals, 22, 390–414.
Enders-Slegers, M. J. (1994). Nieuwe ontwikkelingen op het onderzoeksveld mens-dierrelatie. Nieuwsbrief van het Multidisciplinair Onderzoekscentrum voor Mens-Gezelschapsdier Studies.
Enders-Slegers, M. J. (2000a). Een leven lang goed gezelschap. Empirisch onderzoek naar de betekenis van gezelschapsdieren voor de kwaliteit van leven van ouderen. PhD thesis, Utrecht, Netherlands: Utrecht University.
Enders-Slegers, M. J. (2000b). The meaning of companion animals: Qualitative analysis of the life histories of elderly cat and dog owners. In E. S. Podberscek, J. A. Paul, & J. A. Serpell (Eds.), Companion animals and us: Exploring the relationships between people and pets (pp. 209–236). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Enders-Slegers, M. J. (2008). Challenges and solutions of researching and implementing animal-assisted intervention programs in psychiatry. Tiere als Therapie, 3(3), 118–119.
Enders-Slegers, M. J. (2013). Antrozoölogie: (over)leven met dieren. Heerlen, Netherlands: Open Universiteit.
Enders-Slegers, M. J. (2015). The human animal bond and further professionalization of human animal interventions. Paper presented at the “Living with Animals 2: Interconnections” conference at Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY.
Enders-Slegers, M. J., & Oijen, v. L. (2006). The benefits of the presence of companion animals: Theoretical and practical aspects of animal assisted activities in psycho-geriatric nursing homes and in institutions for the mentally handicapped. Tiere als Therapie, 2(2), 13–17.
Enders-Slegers, M. J., Verheggen, T., & Eshuis, J. (2014). Anthrozoology from a new perspective. Poster presented at the 23rd Annual Conference of the International Society of Anthrozoology, Vienna, Austria.
Eshuis, J. (2006). De Nederlandse psychologie en haar grensgebieden. Nederlands tijdschrift voor de psychologie, 61, 101–122.
Eshuis, J., Enders-Slegers, M. J., & Verheggen, T. (2014). The human animal bond: Affordance theory as a way to systematize HAI. Poster presented at the 23rd Annual Conference of the International Society of Anthrozoology, Vienna, Austria.
Federatie Landbouw en Zorg. (2015). About Us. Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://www.landbouwzorg.nl
Ferwerda-van Zonneveld, R. T., Oosting, S. J., & Kijlstra, A. (2012). Care farms as a short-break service for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. NJAS Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, 59(1–2), 35–40.
Fine, A. (2015). Handbook on animal-assisted therapy: Foundations and guidelines for animal-assisted interventions (4th ed.). London: Academic Press.
Griffioen, R., & Enders-Slegers, M. J. (2014). The effect of dolphin-assisted therapy on the cognitive and social development of children with Down syndrome. Anthrozoös, 27(4), 569–580.
HABRI. (2015). About. Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://www.habri.org
Hassink, J., Zwartbol, C., Agricola, H. J., Elings, M., & Thissen, J. T. N. M. (2007). Current status and potential of care farms in the Netherlands. NJAS Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, 55(1), 21–36.
Hassink, J., Elings, M., Zweekhorst, M., van den Nieuwenhuizen, N., & Smit, A. (2010). Care farms in the Netherlands: Attractive empowerment-oriented and strengths-based practices in the community. Health & Place, 16, 423–430.
Hassink, J., Hulsink, W., & Grin, J. (2012). Care farms in the Netherlands: An underexplored example of multifunctional agriculture—toward an empirically grounded, organization-theory-based typology. Rural Sociology, 77(4), 569–600.
Hassink, J., Hulsink, W., & Grin, J. (2014). Farming with care: The evolution of care farming in the Netherlands. NJAS Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, 68, 1–11.
Hauge, H., Kvalem, I. L., Berget, B., Enders-Slegers, M. J., & Braastad, B. (2013). Equine-assisted activities and the impact on perceived social support, self-esteem and self-efficacy among adolescents - an intervention study. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth. doi:10.1080/02673843.2013.779587.
Hauge, H., Kvalem, I. L., Enders-Slegers, M. J., Berget, B., & Braastad, B. O. (2015). Persistence during tasks with horses in relation to social support, general self-efficacy and self-esteem in adolescents. Anthrozoös, 28(2), 333–347.
Hofman, L. (2013). Equine assisted therapy: An experience based practice? Groningen, Netherlands: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen.
IAHAIO. (2014). IAHAIO white paper. Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://www.iahaio.org
IAHAIO. (2015). History. Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://www.iahaio.org
ISAZ. (2015a). Conferences. Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://www.isaz.net
ISAZ. (2015b). History. Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://www.isaz.net
Katcher, A. H., & Beck, A. M. (Eds.) (1983). New perspectives on our lives with companion animals. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.
KNGF. (2015). History. Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://www.geleidehond.nl
Kruger, K. A., & Serpell, A. (2006). Animal-assisted interventions in mental health: Definitions and theoretical foundations. In A. H. Fine (Ed.), Handbook on animal-assisted therapy. Theoretical foundations and guidelines for practice ((2nd ed.) ed., pp. 21–38). London: Academic Press.
Lambrechts, J., & Spek, E. (2013). Gezelschapsdieren in de ouderenzorg. Den Bosch, Netherlands: HAS Hogeschool.
Van Hall Larenstein. (2015). VHL studies. Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://www.vhluniversity.com
Levinson, B. (1962). The dog as “co-therapist”. Mental Hygiene, 46, 59–65.
Levinson, B. (1969). Pets and old age. Mental Hygiene, 53, 364–368.
Martens, P., Enders-Slegers, M. J., & Walker, J. (2016). The emotional life of companion animals: Attachment and subjective claims by owners of cats and dogs. Anthrozoös, 29(1), 73–88.
Mens & Hond Consultancy. (2015). Topdog. Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://www.mensenhond.nl
Pets4Care. (2015). Opleidingen. Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://www.pets4care.nl
Podberscek, A. L. (1993a). Editorial. ISAZ Newsletter 6.
Podberscek, A. L. (1993b). The ISAZ council. ISAZ Newsletter 6.
Podberscek, A. L. (1995). The ISAZ council. ISAZ Newsletter 10.
Podberscek, A. L., Paul, E. S., & Serpell, J. A. (Eds.) (2000). Companion animals and us: Exploring the relationships between people and pets. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Raina, P., Waltner-Toews, D., Bonnett, B., Woodward, C., & Abernathy, T. (1999). Influence of companion animals on the physical and psychological health of older people: An analysis of a one-year longitudinal study. Journal of the American Geriatric Society, 47(3), 323–329.
Schreuder, E., Rijnders, M., Vaandrager, L., Hassink, J., Enders-Slegers, M. J., & Kennedy, L. (2014). Exploring salutogenic mechanisms of an outdoor experiential learming programme on youth care farms in the Netherlands: Untapped potential? International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 19(2), 139–152.
Swabe, J. (1999). ISAZ council members. ISAZ Newsletter 18.
Ter Veen, A. (2013). Resultaten onderzoek dierondersteunde interventies. Deventer: Saxion Next.
Tinley Academie. (2015). AAI: Dieren in de zorg. Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://www.tinleyacademie.nl
Velsink, S. (1997). Steun bij trauma, een hondenbaan? Een inventarisatie naar mens-dier relaties in de hulpverlening. Utrecht, Netherlands: Universiteit Utrecht.
Verheggen, T. (2014). How to understand cultural differences in human-animal relations: What does anthrozoology have to do with cultural psychology, and vice versa? Paper presented at the IAHAIO 2014 conference, Amsterdam.
Wilson, C. C., & Turner, D. C. (Eds.) (1998). Companion animals in human health. London: Sage.
Wojtków, A. (2016). Dog-assisted therapy and activities in contemporary Poland. In M. P. Preȩgowski & J. Włodarczyk (Eds.), Free market dogs: The human-canine bond in post-communist Poland. West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2016 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Eshuis, J., Enders-Slegers, MJ., Verheggen, T. (2016). Anthrozoology in the Netherlands: Connecting Science and Practice. In: Pręgowski, M. (eds) Companion Animals in Everyday Life. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-59572-0_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-59572-0_3
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, New York
Print ISBN: 978-1-137-59571-3
Online ISBN: 978-1-137-59572-0
eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)