Human-Animal Bond / Biophilia / Impact of Pets and Nature

The following is a list of research articles, practice/theoretical articles, and book chapters that pertain to the human-animal bond, biophilia, and the impact of pets and nature.  This list was last updated in 2008.

To order copies of these articles, contact the journal in question by clicking on the links below or visit your local university library.  In some cases, these articles are available for purchase by the author or are available for free online – see links for more details.

Baun, M.M., Bergstrom, N., Langston, N.F., & Thoma, L. (1984). Physiological effects of human/companion animal bonding. Nursing Research, 33, 126-129.

Beck, A.M. & Katcher, A.H. (2003). Future directions in human-animal bond research. American Behavioral Scientist, 47(1), 79-93.

Brasic, J.R. (1998). Pets and health. Psychological Reports, 83, 1011-1024.

Catanzaro, T.E. (2003a). Human-animal bond and primary prevention. American Behavioral Scientist, 47(1), 29-30.

Catanzaro, T.E. (2003b). Human-animal bond and secondary prevention. American Behavioral Scientist, 47(1), 40-41.

Cohen, S.P. (2002). Can pets function as family members? Western Journal of Nursing Research, 24(6), 621-638.

Endenburg, N. & Baarda, B. (n.d.). The role of pets in enhancing human well-being: Effects on child development.  Reprinted from The Waltham Book of Human-Animal Interactions: Benefits and Responsibilities. Courtesy of Waltham

Freidmann, E., Katcher, A.H., Lynch, J. & Thomas, S.A. (1980). Animal companions and one-year survival of patients after discharge from a coronary care unit. Public Health Reports, 95, 307-312.

Hines, L.M. (2003). Historical perspectives on the human-animal bond. American Behavioral Scientist, 47(1), 7-15.

Ipsos-Reid (2001). Paws and claws: A syndicated study on Canadian pet ownership. Ottawa, ON: Ipsos-Reid.

Johnson, R.A. (2002). Human-animal interaction research as an area of inquiry in nursing. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 24, 713-715.

Johnson, R.A., Meadows, R.L., Haubner, J.S., & Sevedge, K. (2003). Human-animal interaction: A complementary/alternative medical (CAM) intervention for cancer patients.American Behavioral Scientist, 47(1), 55-69.

Kahn, P.H. (1997). Developmental psychology and the biophilia hypothesis: Children’s affiliation with nature. Developmental Review, 17, 1-61.

Katcher, A., Segal, J. & Beck, A. (1984). Contemplation of an aquarium for the reduction of anxiety. In R.K. Anderson, B.L. Hart, & L.A. Hart (eds.), The Pet Connection: Its Influence on Our Health and Quality of Life (171-179). Minneapolis, Minnesota: Center to Study Human-animal Relationships and Environments, University of Minnesota.

Meadows, R.L. (2002). Human-animal interaction research as an area for interdisciplinary collaborative research. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 24(6), 606-608..

Melson, G.F. (2003). Child development and the human-companion animal bond. American Behavioral Scientist, 47(1), 31-39.

Netting, F.E., Wilson, C.C., & New, J.C. (1987, January-February). The human-animal bond: Implications for practice. Social Work, 60-64.

Poresky, R.H. (1996). Companion animals and other factors affecting young children’s development. Anthrozoös, 9(4), 159-168.

Risley-Curtiss, C., Holley, L.C. & Wolf, S. (2006). The human-animal bond and ethnic diversity.  Social Work, 51(3), 257-268.

Sable, P. (1995). Pets, attachment, and well-being across the life-cycle. Social Work, 40(3), 334-341.

Serpell, J. (1999). Guest editor’s introduction: Animals in children’s lives. Society and Animals, 7(2), 87-94.

Siegel, J.M. (1990). Stressful life events and use of physician services among the elderly: The moderating role of pet ownership. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 58(6), 1081-1086.

Spence, L.J. & Kaiser, L. (2002). Companion animals and adaptation in chronically ill children. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 24(6), 639-656.

Vormbrock, J.K. & Grossberg, J.M. (1988). Cardiovascular effects of human-pet dog interactions. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 11, 509-517.

Wells, N.M. & Evans, G.W. (2003). Nearby nature: A buffer of life stress among rural children. Environment and Behavior, 35(3), 311-330.

Wilson, C.C. & Barker, S.B. (2003). Challenges in designing human-animal interaction research. American Behavioral Scientist, 47(1), 16-28.

Wood, L., Giles-Corti, B. & Buslara, M. (2005). The pet connection: Pets as a conduit for social capital?  Social Science & Medicine, 61, 1159-1173.