Development of ethical standards for research of animal-assisted interventions

Abstract Research into animal-assisted interventions (AAI) is crucial for quality assurance and the development of professional standards. As research in AAI in various fields is growing, research ethics must be considered. In Germany, as in many other countries, research projects on AAI are mainly...

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Main Authors: Cornelia Drees, Annett Eckloff, Anne Gelhardt, Candela Hüsgen, Georg Jungnitsch, Sabrina Naber, Lena Scheidig, Michael Christian Schulze, Sandra Wesenberg
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: CABI 2025-03-01
Series:Human-Animal Interactions
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Online Access:http://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/hai.2025.0008
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author Cornelia Drees
Annett Eckloff
Anne Gelhardt
Candela Hüsgen
Georg Jungnitsch
Sabrina Naber
Lena Scheidig
Michael Christian Schulze
Sandra Wesenberg
author_facet Cornelia Drees
Annett Eckloff
Anne Gelhardt
Candela Hüsgen
Georg Jungnitsch
Sabrina Naber
Lena Scheidig
Michael Christian Schulze
Sandra Wesenberg
author_sort Cornelia Drees
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Research into animal-assisted interventions (AAI) is crucial for quality assurance and the development of professional standards. As research in AAI in various fields is growing, research ethics must be considered. In Germany, as in many other countries, research projects on AAI are mainly assessed by ethics committees, which only focus on evaluating risks and benefits for human subjects. Research ethical standards must also be developed for the animals involved in the research of AAI to ensure animal welfare before, during, and after empirical studies. Therefore, the Research Division of the Federal Association of Animal Assisted Intervention Germany developed a position paper on the ethical standards for research of AAI. These standards describe requirements for AAI in research projects and requirements regarding research designs and minimising risks. Finally, considerations regarding the responsibility of the researchers are presented. The position paper aims to advance the discussion on research ethics standards and consistent international standards.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2957-9538
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publishDate 2025-03-01
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record_format Article
series Human-Animal Interactions
spelling doaj-art-e83c553282ff4fd9af5318e067e3ff502025-08-21T13:36:56ZengCABIHuman-Animal Interactions2957-95382025-03-0113110.1079/hai.2025.0008Development of ethical standards for research of animal-assisted interventionsCornelia Drees0Annett Eckloff1Anne Gelhardt2Candela Hüsgen3Georg Jungnitsch4Sabrina Naber5Lena Scheidig6Michael Christian Schulze7Sandra Wesenberg8Research Division, Federal Association of Animal Assisted Intervention, Germany;Research Division, Federal Association of Animal Assisted Intervention, Germany;Research Division, Federal Association of Animal Assisted Intervention, Germany;Research Division, Federal Association of Animal Assisted Intervention, Germany;Research Division, Federal Association of Animal Assisted Intervention, Germany;Research Division, Federal Association of Animal Assisted Intervention, Germany;Research Division, Federal Association of Animal Assisted Intervention, Germany;Research Division, Federal Association of Animal Assisted Intervention, Germany;Research Division, Federal Association of Animal Assisted Intervention, Germany;Abstract Research into animal-assisted interventions (AAI) is crucial for quality assurance and the development of professional standards. As research in AAI in various fields is growing, research ethics must be considered. In Germany, as in many other countries, research projects on AAI are mainly assessed by ethics committees, which only focus on evaluating risks and benefits for human subjects. Research ethical standards must also be developed for the animals involved in the research of AAI to ensure animal welfare before, during, and after empirical studies. Therefore, the Research Division of the Federal Association of Animal Assisted Intervention Germany developed a position paper on the ethical standards for research of AAI. These standards describe requirements for AAI in research projects and requirements regarding research designs and minimising risks. Finally, considerations regarding the responsibility of the researchers are presented. The position paper aims to advance the discussion on research ethics standards and consistent international standards.http://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/hai.2025.0008animal-assisted interventionanimal welfareresearchethicsethical research standardethics guideline
spellingShingle Cornelia Drees
Annett Eckloff
Anne Gelhardt
Candela Hüsgen
Georg Jungnitsch
Sabrina Naber
Lena Scheidig
Michael Christian Schulze
Sandra Wesenberg
Development of ethical standards for research of animal-assisted interventions
Human-Animal Interactions
animal-assisted intervention
animal welfare
research
ethics
ethical research standard
ethics guideline
title Development of ethical standards for research of animal-assisted interventions
title_full Development of ethical standards for research of animal-assisted interventions
title_fullStr Development of ethical standards for research of animal-assisted interventions
title_full_unstemmed Development of ethical standards for research of animal-assisted interventions
title_short Development of ethical standards for research of animal-assisted interventions
title_sort development of ethical standards for research of animal assisted interventions
topic animal-assisted intervention
animal welfare
research
ethics
ethical research standard
ethics guideline
url http://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/hai.2025.0008
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