In the Media: Exploring the Human-Animal Bond with Dr. Maggie O'Haire

Speaking of Psychology: Exploring the human-animal bond, with Maggie O’Haire, PhD:  Episode 168

The role that animals can play in improving people’s mental health has garnered increased attention in recent years—from service dogs for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to emotional support animals on planes to therapy dogs in offices. Maggie O’Haire, PhD, a psychologist at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, discusses animal-assisted interventions for veterans with PTSD and children with autism; what science has to say about the human-animal bond; the difference between service animals, therapy animals, and emotional support animals; whether regular household pets may also affect our health and well-being—and why we all enjoy cat videos so much.

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