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 more members of the family whose relationship with people is usually physically and emotionally beneficial.

Anthrozoology is a relatively new science. that is in charge of the study of the relations between human beings and animals, especially those that are more domesticated. It is also in charge of improving the conditions of the 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 its presence can act as a protective factor against the manifestation of psychopathology and criminality.

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What is anthropology?

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 its history, human beings have lived with other animal species, both for food (p. g., milk and meat from cows) and to hunt and protect themselves (p. g., the dog). 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 despite the fact that human beings have benefited from animals since time immemorial, anthrozoology is a science whose origin is very recent, no more than fifty years. Despite this, it has made an intense impact on 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 ones. cities.

The animals with which we have the greatest degree of integration and bonding are companion animals, 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 relationships are established with them. influence the health of the family with the intention of enhancing its benefits and avoiding its consequences negative.

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 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, animals enter a state of extreme neglect, with very little hygiene, injuries, parasites and diseases. Despite this and the smell that comes from the home, those affected by the syndrome are not able to recognize the poor state in which their pets are. In addition, 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 animal welfare we have that anthrozoology deals with the cruel treatment of animals. Many people are not prepared or have the skills to have an animal in their home, or are unaware of the most appropriate way to treat them. This is why, unfortunately, there are not a few 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 seriously mistreat them.

The problem with these techniques is that on many occasions the animal becomes more hostile and less trainable, aggravating the already violent dynamics that take place in the home and causing the owners to end up abandoning their pet. As these animals have had a lifetime of mistreatment, their behavior can be very unstable and, If found on the street, they can become a real danger to anyone. pedestrian. It is in these cases that many dogs and cats end up being sacrificed, 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 kitten or Such a sweet and harmless puppy that they adopted, growing 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, as they do not know how to handle the situation or They find no one who wants to adopt, be it a litter of 10 puppies or a very large dog, they decide to abandon them to your luck.

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 to be done. anthropology It not only intends to punish those who mistreat and neglect animals, but also 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.

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urban colonies

Despite the fact that many people are aware of animal abandonment, especially dogs and of cats, the number of adoptions does not cope with the huge number of abandonments that are produce. Many animals end up on the street, trying to live in the best way they can and having a free life.. The problem is that, contrary to what many owners may think, the life of the wild pet is lasts since, despite being animals, they are domesticated species that depend a lot on the action human.

Abandoned cats and dogs have a much shorter life expectancy than their home-bound counterparts. Both species are used to being brought food, given shelter and cleaned, the result of domestication by human action. One night on the street cannot reverse thousands of years of evolution and artificial selection. They will be wild animals, but they will still require their domestic needs and sooner or later they will die of hunger or disease.

If they survive, they may find other congeners of the opposite sex, fornicate, and have wild litters. This is where we are facing a real problem, since the uncontrolled reproduction of dogs and cats, whose litters are numerous, pose a real public health problem. Its infant mortality is very high, with hundreds of puppies dead on the streets rotting, producing a bad smell and attracting all kinds 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, stray-born dogs are more hostile, being able to attack at any time. In addition, they rummage through the 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 put to good use for the health of the city. Although dogs are more dangerous, cats, under a controlled number and with health monitoring, can help control rodent infestations, especially rats and mice. These colonies of cats must be managed ethically, having duly planned sterilizations and, if possible, putting a microchip or location system on them.

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The importance of animals

As we mentioned, pets are more than a piece of furniture or a plant in the home: they are members of the family. In many houses, dogs and cats are treated like the rest of the household's inhabitants, 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 connected to their community, having a more open attitude and prosocial.

The neighborhoods in which there is a high density of animal population per household are places where there is greater civic spirit and neighborhood spirit, making the neighbors collaborate more with each other. In addition, it is in these same neighborhoods where there are better health indicators. Companion animals encourage social interaction and provide many advantages, although, of course, they can be source of conflicts between neighbors, especially for issues such as barking or excrement on the road public.

This is why it is necessary to apply regulations that regulate and favor the circulation and care of companion animals, avoiding their mistreatment and neglect and enhancing their function as capital social. These animals They can provide mental health through the bond between their owners and them., a phenomenon that has been seen to be universal. If 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-type diseases, especially since its presence can reduce blood pressure and stress. In turn, through the psychosocial pathway we have that pets are very good regulators and social catalysts, that is, they help us to socialize and bond with other people.

It is not uncommon to find that two people have become friends because one day they were walking down the street. with their dogs, or that the neighbors see a dog walker as a friendlier person and reliable. Although the colors are different, the vast majority of pets arouse positive emotions among their owners and friends, making it possible to even strengthen pre-existing relationships when adopting a dog or a cat.

healthier childhood

According to studies carried out by anthropology, 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. In addition, when children are going through a particularly difficult time on an emotional level, they look for animals, which are sources of disinterested 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 their unconditional love.

In addition, the presence of pets favors the development of empathy and prosocial behavior and also helps them in their cognitive and linguistic development. Added to this, the medical health of the little ones is more resistant, presenting fewer allergies and less absenteeism school, since their immune system is more resistant, being less prone to contracting diseases infectious.

animal therapy

Finally, anthropology has been in charge of how to make therapeutic use of animals devising all kinds of animal-assisted interventions or IAA. 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 requirements specials.

Among the most important are equine therapy, that is, horse-assisted therapy, 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 won many sympathies. The case of this reptile and that of other animals demonstrate how beneficial and curious relationships between humans and animals can be.

Bibliographic references:

• Diaz-Videla, M., Olarte, M. and Camacho, J. (2015). Anthrozoology: Definitions, areas of development and practical applications for health professionals. European Scientific Journal. 2.