Main description:

This book provides a multidisciplinary overview of the impact of human-animal interaction on well-being from childhood to later life. It presents a life course perspective to the study of human-animal interaction, addressing concepts of family and the role of pets therein, as well as the impact of companion animals on child development and successful aging. This book fills a gap in the existing literature by framing the study of human-animal interaction, including the role of animal-assisted interventions on well-being, in a broader social and behavioral context.

Contents:

1. Introduction.- 2. Family Life Cycle and the Role of Pets.- 3. Aging Pets and Well-Being.-4. Health over the Life Course and HAI.- 5. Child Health and Development.- 6. Successful Aging and HAI.- 7. Animal-Assisted Interventions and Well-Being over the Life Course.- 8. Conclusion.