Exploring the human animal bond, with Maggie O’Haire , PhD | Speaking of Psychology

The role animals can play in improving people’s mental health has garnered increased attention in recent years -- from service dogs for PTSD to emotional support animals on planes to therapy dogs in offices. Dr. Maggie O’Haire, 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. __________________________________ The American Psychological Association is the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States, with more than 157,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students as its members. To learn more about APA visit http://www.apa.org Follow APA on social media: Facebook   / americanpsychologicalassociation   X/ Formerly Twitter   / apa   LinkedIn   / american-psychological-association   Instagram   / apa_org   Threads https://www.threads.net/@apa_org