Author(s)

Evangelos Diamantakos¹, Ioannis Chaniotakis²

¹Animal Department, Hartpury University, Gloucestershire, UK.
²Healthcare Directorate of Hellenic Air Force General Staff (HAFGS), Athens, Greece.

The long-term relationship between humans and animals and the advantageous effects of animals on human health and well-being are well-documented in present literature. This relationship has evolved over the years, leading to a shift in human perception and behaviour towards animals. In our present day, Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) programmes are regarded as contributors to human physical and psychological well-being. According to current literature, interactions with animals and AAI programmes appear to benefit children’s psychological, emotional, social, and learning development. The article emphasises that while animals can contribute to children’s development, this should not be considered a panacea but rather an additional means and part of a holistic intervention facilitated by accredited professionals.

Human-Animal Relationship, Animal Assisted Interventions, Children Development, Children Well-Being

Diamantakos, E. and Chaniotakis, I. (2024) Human-Animal Relationship through the Ages, Animal Assisted Intervention Programmes and the Role of Animals in Child Development. Open Access Library Journal, 11, 1-11. doi: 10.4236/oalib.1111277.