The nomenclature used to describe animals working in roles supporting people can be confusing. The same term may be used to describe different roles, or two terms may mean the same thing. This confusion is evident among researchers, practitioners, and end users. Because certain animal roles are provided with legal protections and/or government-funding support in some jurisdictions, it is necessary to clearly define the existing terms to avoid confusion. The aim of this paper is to provide operationalized definitions for nine terms, which would be useful in many world regions: “assistance animal”, “companion animal”, “educational/school support animal”, “emotional support animal”, “facility animal”, “service animal”, “skilled companion animal”, “therapy animal”, and “visiting/visitation animal”. At the International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ) conferences in 2018 and 2020, over 100 delegates participated in workshops to define these terms, many of whom co-authored this paper. Through an iterative process, we have defined the nine terms and explained how they differ from each other. We recommend phasing out two terms (i.e., “skilled companion animal” and “service animal”) due to overlap with other terms that could potentially exacerbate confusion. The implications for several regions of the world are discussed.

A severe mental illness like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is known to have psychosocial consequences that can lead to a decreased quality of life. Research in Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) has revealed that the presence of a dog can have a positive effect on health, e.g., increase quality of life and lessen depression and anxiety. However, canine companionship is not a catch-all solution. Previous research has revealed methodological limitations that prohibit any clear conclusions, as well as a sparsity of critical reflection in anecdotal reports and case studies, which means that more research is needed to contextualize the findings. There has been an increasing interest in animal-assisted intervention in Denmark in recent years. Previously, authorities could only grant service dogs to adults with physical disabilities, but now this has been extended to adults with mental illnesses. Therefore, it has become important to explore how these service dogs are incorporated into rehabilitation practices in mental health, and how rehabilitation professionals react to the use of service dogs. This paper is a case study of a person who suffers from PTSD. This study examines how the person describes the significance of having a dog during her rehabilitation process, and how this is integrated with existing rehabilitation. The case study has been developed based on a semi-structured interview. A Thematic Content analysis was used to reveal dominant patterns and categories. This study revealed a lack of communication and collaboration between public administration (social service), service dog providers, health rehabilitation services, and providers of psychological treatment. It also revealed limited access for the dog to public services, limited success in incorporating the dog into goal-directed treatment and rehabilitation procedures, a strongly felt emotional support from the dog, and a perceived stigma by having the dog wearing a vest with he words “mentally ill” printed on it.

Internationalt har rehabiliteringspsykologi eksisteret i mere end 50 år, men det er endnu er et ungt forsknings- og praksisområde i Danmark. Den første omfattende brug af begrebet på dansk kom i 2015 med ph.d.-afhandlingen ”Grib mennesket” (Glintborg, 2015). Siden har feltet været i vækst og blandt andet påvirket nationale anbefalinger på handicapområdet med forstærket fokus på de psykosociale aspekter. Artiklen introducerer rehabiliteringspsykologien og giver en aktuel status på feltet i Danmark.

Artiklen introducerer det tværdisciplinære felt, der internationaltkaldes “human-animal studies” eller “anthrozoology” ogforeslår “antropozoologi” som dansk fællesbetegnelse. Feltetsbaggrund og bredde skitseres, og dyreassisteret psykoterapibeskrives mere detaljeret. To små undersøgelser indgår også iartiklen. Den ene analyserede international forskningsinteressefor dyreassisteret terapi ved søgning i tre videnskabelige databaserog fandt i alle et ungt, men hastigt voksende felt. Denanden undersøgelse angik opfattelse af og erfaring med dyreassisteretintervention blandt danske psykologer (N = 59).Mens størstedelen af dette (selv-selekterede) sample fandt brugaf dyr meget relevant for psykologer, havde få erfaring med det(n = 17). Forfatterne hilser på denne baggrund temanummerets15 tværdisciplinære og overvejende skandinaviskebidrag velkommen.

Produktion og forbrug af animalske produkter ligger højt i Danmark, og regering og landbrug ønsker tiltagende bevågenhed på dyrevelfærden. En nylig analyse viste, at dette ikke kan opnås med markedskræfter alene, men at bedre målretning af information og kampagner kan bidrage i en samlet strategi. Validerede instrumenter til måling af holdninger er nødvendige i et sådant arbejde, men har manglet, hvorfor artiklen først oversætter den australske “Pet Pest Profit”-skala og rapporterer dens psykometriske egenskaber med et internetbaseret skandinavisk sample (N = 210). Dernæst vises med en adaptation af det klassiske mål for “Belief in Animal Mind”, at formodninger om psyke hos kommercielt anvendte dyr kan redegøre for 38,5 % af variationen i holdning til deres velfærd. Trods tidligere studiers påvisning af, at klassifikation af dyr som føde medfører reduceret tiltro til deres psykiske formåen, forbliver relationen mellem psyke-tiltro og velfærdsholdning dermed stærk nok til at være nyttig for promovering af animalske produkter, der har dyrevelfærdshensyn som kvalitetskriterium. Vi foreslår, at inddragelse af psykologisk teori og metode generelt kan bidrage til arbejdet for øget dyrevelfærd i Danmark.

Guide dogs are primarily seen as mobility aids for people with visual impairments, but they may also influence users’ psychological well-being and social lives. Benefits of being partnered with a guide dog have been found in several countries but Scandinavian studies are sparse. This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of six Danish guide dog partners through semi-structured interviews. A reflexive thematic analysis found six primary benefits: improved mobility, increased physical activity, enhanced freedom and independence, new social interactions, a strong emotional bond with the dog, and better mental well-being. Users also reported challenges, including frequent distractions caused by the public interacting with the dog, difficulties during the initial adjustment period, increased cleaning, and occasional trouble finding care for the dog. Participants unanimously emphasized the irreplaceable value of their guide dogs and positive socioemotional dimensions of guide dog partnerships. The findings add Scandinavian voices that support existing international research and note three areas of potential improvement: better public education about guide dog etiquette, enhanced support during the adjustment period, and improved care-sharing arrangements. The study underscores the importance of considering guide dogs as both functional aids and sources of emotional and social support.