ABSTRACT
This chapter seeks to provide a broad-scale overview of human-animal interactions in the laboratory. Human-animal bonds are likely the most beneficial human-animal interactions in the laboratory. However, human-animal interactions or relationships of a positive valence are also highly valuable. Human-animal interactions can also be described focusing on their harms and benefits to humans — several theories can be used to provide a framework for this discussion. A theory explaining human-animal interactions is the attachment theory. A second theory behind human motivation to interact with animals is the social support theory, which is the perception or reality that one is cared for, has access to supportive resources, and is part of a supportive social network — which includes animals. Positive human-animal interactions are also likely to make laboratory animals better scientific research models. Planning, learning proper techniques, and actually performing positive human-animal interactions can take a significant amount of time, resulting in extra personnel expenses.
