Society’s interest in the bond between humans and animals has grown significantly since the late 20th century, partly due to media coverage highlighting the positive impact animals can have on people’s lives. This has sparked curiosity among professionals and the general public, leading to a greater appreciation of the unique relationship between humans and animals. As animals are increasingly integrated into our daily lives, the question arises: are the benefits of this interaction truly mutual?
The aim of this professorship is to gain deeper insight into the effects of human-animal interactions, with a focus on safeguarding animal welfare. Dogs and horses are central to this research, which is organized around three key themes.
Care & Safety
This theme explores the use of dogs and horses in interventions and activities related to safety, security, detection, and tracking. These roles are highly demanding, and the intense interaction between humans and animals is crucial to performance. Research projects focus on mapping animal deployment, identifying risk factors, developing tools to assess animals’ suitability for these tasks, and creating methods to measure the (mental) strain such work places on animals.
Sport & Leisure
Research under this theme focuses on raising awareness and sharing knowledge about animal welfare risks in sport and leisure contexts. Training plays a central role and must be approached carefully, using the appropriate expertise. Thanks to technological advancements, it is now possible to monitor the well-being and health of sport animals more accurately, enabling better training and preparation of dogs and horses. This theme also explores public perception of the use of animals in sport and entertainment, and how these sectors respond to growing societal concerns.
Management
This theme focuses on the breeding, nutrition, and housing of companion animals and horses. Human decision-making plays a central role in all these areas. Anthropomorphism—the tendency to attribute human traits to animals—can have negative consequences, such as breeding for extreme physical traits or providing care environments that do not meet animals’ needs. Such practices can prevent animals from expressing natural behaviour or adapting to their surroundings, ultimately compromising their welfare.
Professorship team:
- Dr. ir. Kathalijne Visser (professor)
- Drs. Sandra Haven-Pross
- Ir. Lydia Nieuwe Weme
- Ir. Lianne Jens
- Toine van Westing
- Drs. Mari van Barneveld
Projects
- Use of assistance animals: what is the impact on the animal?
- Animals with a work contract
- Sustainable employable military working dog
- Expert council for horses
- Equine assisted coaching for (former) cancer patients
- Welfare of equine assisted coaching and therapeutic riding horses
- Welfare of dogs in animal-assisted interventions
- Use of tack and equipment in training dogs and horses
- Social License to Operate (SLO) in international equestrian sport
- Animal welfare documentary
- Animal welfare policy – municipality of Dronten
- Happy Pets: promoting responsible choices
