Humanimal Interaction for OneHealth
The Humanimal Interaction Laboratory is in the Department of Psychology at Bemidji State University. Students and faculty conduct basic and applied research on the processes and outcomes of humans and animals interacting. Our work is guided by the principles of One Health - acknowledging the interconnection between humans, other animals, plants, and the environment. Current projects include:
Humanimal Interaction in Nature
Our team is exploring human-animal interaction in tourism media, wondering whether interactions with animals are present in travel vlogs and promotional materials.
Anthrozooethogram Development
We're developing anthrozooethograms that include human (anthro) and animal (zoo) behavior, to better describe interactions that occur between people and pets, therapy animals, and wildlife.
Instrument Development
We develop and validate instruments to measure interactions between humans and animals. Read about the HAIS validation study.
The Animal's Role
Just what do animals do in animal-assisted interventions and how do they assist or facilitate change? We analyze human-animal interactions and compare species.
Animal Welfare
How do human-animal interactions impact the animals and their environment? We're conducting research to examine the process and outcome from the animal's perspective.
Equine-Assisted Story Transformation
A theory explaining how change happens when incorporating horses into psychotherapy and learning.