Australian Anthrozoology Research Foundation (aarf)

[Katdogs]

www.anthrozoologyfoundation.org

www.facebook.com/anthrozoology?ref=stream

Does anyone here know much about this group? So far all I've seen is the facebook page and the website, but it looks very interesting! It seems like the kind of research that DOLers would be interesting in participating in - except we all already know how good having pets makes us feel :)

"The Australian Anthrozoology Research Foundation was founded in May 2011 in response to a growing recognition within the scientific community that our modern lifestyle presents humans with unprecedented health challenges, requiring innovative approaches to disease prevention, treatment and management. Although modern medicine has cured numerous diseases, millions of Australians continue to suffer with chronic physical illnesses, mental distress and age-related diseases. Millions more are physically and mentally well, but fail to truly flourish due to stress, anxiety, loneliness and other problems associated with modern living conditions.

Interactions with companion animals can profoundly enhance the health and wellbeing of humans. Dogs have been used for decades to assist the blind and are increasingly being trained to provide additional specialist services. These include assisting children with autism spectrum disorder as they struggle to master basic communication and social skills, monitoring blood sugar levels for those with diabetes, detecting certain cancers, and helping those with social phobia leave the confines of their home, sometimes for the first time in many years. Even without specialist training, a small army of volunteers visit nursing homes and hospitals with their pets each week, reporting miraculous effects on some of those who interact with the visiting animals. These include the very young and the very old, some of our most vulnerable and underserviced community members."

[Kavik]

How awesome does it look! I only just found out about it too, through a friend liking on Facebook.

[Aphra]

I know at least one person who is working with AARF and have heard a number of presentations from them about their research. They have been doing some terrific work in areas such as temperament testing for dogs; researching aggression; looking at the issues which influence adoptions and surrenders and they've done a couple of really good projects around pet friendly planning in urban areas.

They frequently present to the Australian Institute of Animal Management (essentially the body which represents local laws officers (rangers) conferences about these issues.

They do some really excellent work.

[Katdogs]

The more I see, the more I love what they are doing