Human Animal Interaction in Public Health Promotion: Historical and Conceptual Bases

Human Animal Interaction in Public Health Promotion: Historical and Conceptual Bases

Even from prehistoric times, animals have played critical roles in maintaining human survival. When animals were predominantly viewed as sources of warmth, protection, and food, humankind afforded them a level of respect derived from supernatural beliefs, respect for their prowess in surviving, and a symbiotic need to learn and use their survival skills. There was no question that human health was dependent on animals.

As animals became domesticated, this symbiotic dependence evolved toward a more human-dominated relationship where animals serve predominantly as workers, food sources and companions. Animals as food sources play an undeniably central role in human health. However it has been only recently that the role of animals as companions has been found to be instrumental in promoting and maintaining human health.

With ever more technologically dominated society, there is an upsurge in seeking and indulging animals as companions possibly due to biophilia, a natural affinity or need in humans to interact with nature and attempt to experience the world more simply, as do animals. Recognition that a high-tech, rapid-paced, low-touch environment is conducive to disease and not health compels people to align our interaction with companion animals.

The presentation will trace the evolutionary patterns and build the logic for alignment of human-companion animal interaction toward health promotion on both individual and population levels. Now those interactions benefit animals as well.