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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(5); 597; doi: 10.3390/ani12050597

Personalized Strategy for Animal-Assisted Therapy for Individuals Based on the Emotions Induced by the Images of Different Animal Species and Breeds.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to apply the FaceReader technique to select the animal species and breed for a personalized AAT based on the emotions ('neutral', 'happy', 'sad', 'angry', 'surprised', 'scared', 'disgusted', and 'contempt') induced in the persons (18-64 years old) by the images of different animal species and breeds. To implement the aim, the images of different animal species (, , , , and ) and their breeds (dogs: Australian shepherd, pug, Labrador retriever, Doberman, miniature schnauzer, beagle, three mixed-breed types, Yorkshire terrier, Cane Corso, Samoyed, and Chihuahua; cats: British shorthair, Himalayan cat, three mixed breed types, Siamese cat, Sphynx, and Bengal cat; horses: Norwegian Fjord, Exmoor pony, Andalusian, and Friesian; pigs: Vietnamese pot-bellied and Kunekune; sheep: Herdwick sheep and Suffolk sheep) were used. This study showed that the animal species is a significant factor in the intensity of the emotions 'neutral' and 'happy' as well as valence, and the animal breed is a significant factor for the emotion 'happy' intensity and valence. The obtained results could be used as a personalized strategy for improving AAT and helping the individuals to select a pet.
Publication Date: 2022-02-27 PubMed ID: 35268166PubMed Central: PMC8909388DOI: 10.3390/ani12050597Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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This research aimed to identify suitable animal breeds for personal therapy based on the emotional responses of people (aged 18-64) to images of different animals, utilizing the FaceReader technique.

Overview of the Study

  • The research used the FaceReader technique to analyze emotional responses to pictures of different animals and breeds. Integrated emotions assessed included ‘neutral’, ‘happy’, ‘sad’, ‘angry’, ‘surprised’, ‘scared’, ‘disgusted’, and ‘contempt’.
  • Images of various animal species and breeds were included in the study. The specific types of animals and breeds incorporated are notably diverse, ranging from dogs and cats to pigs and sheep.

Key Findings

  • The study established that the species of animal significantly affects the intensity of ‘neutral’ and ‘happy’ emotions and overall positive or negative feelings (valence).
  • Furthermore, the breed of the animal was found to play a substantial role in the intensity of the ‘happy’ emotion and valence levels.

Implications of the Study

  • The results from this study can be utilized to develop personalized Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) strategies. AAT uses animals to help individuals recover from or better cope with health problems such as heart disease, cancer, and mental health disorders.
  • This study provides insights that could assist individuals in selecting a suitable pet, which could, in turn, provide therapeutic benefits.

Limitations of the Study

  • One limitation not directly addressed by the abstract is that individual preferences and emotional responses to different animals can greatly vary between individuals, and such responses can be influenced by prior experiences and cultural factors.
  • The study’s reliance on images rather than actual interactions with the animals could also limit the application of its findings to real-life scenarios since pictures may not fully encapsulate the emotional connections established through direct contact.

Cite This Article

APA
Luksaite J, Zokaityte E, Starkute V, Sidlauskiene S, Zokaityte G, Bartkiene E. (2022). Personalized Strategy for Animal-Assisted Therapy for Individuals Based on the Emotions Induced by the Images of Different Animal Species and Breeds. Animals (Basel), 12(5), 597. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12050597

Publication

ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 5
PII: 597

Researcher Affiliations

Luksaite, Jovita
  • Institute of Animal Rearing Technologies, Faculty of Animal Sciences, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Mickeviciaus Str. 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania.
Zokaityte, Egle
  • Institute of Animal Rearing Technologies, Faculty of Animal Sciences, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Mickeviciaus Str. 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania.
Starkute, Vytaute
  • Institute of Animal Rearing Technologies, Faculty of Animal Sciences, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Mickeviciaus Str. 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania.
Sidlauskiene, Sonata
  • Institute of Animal Rearing Technologies, Faculty of Animal Sciences, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Mickeviciaus Str. 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania.
Zokaityte, Gintare
  • Institute of Animal Rearing Technologies, Faculty of Animal Sciences, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Mickeviciaus Str. 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania.
Bartkiene, Elena
  • Institute of Animal Rearing Technologies, Faculty of Animal Sciences, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Mickeviciaus Str. 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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