Editorial: How animals affect us: examining the influence of human-animal interactions on human's health.

Abstract

Human-animal bonds are mutually beneficial relationships that hold the potential to nurture One Health for People as well as the animals involved. Health in this context includes not only the physical benefit, but the mental, emotional, and social wellbeing of both people and animals. Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) is a growing, multi-faceted and multi-disciplinary sector comprised of complementary industries and professionals working alongside animals as a key part of their service. The goal of this Research Topic is to contribute to a better understanding of the Healing power of connecting with animals and how the interactions involving humans and animal affect each other. Included in this Research Topic, whose aim was to contribute to a better understanding of the healing power of the bond between humans and animals and how these interactions affect each other, are 12 articles: 8 Original research, 1 Systematic review, 1 Mini review, 1 Brief research report, and 1 Perspective.