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10.
August
2021.
Top UK academics & pet experts to present research on AAI & children's health

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PRESS RELEASE

Date: Tuesday 10 August 2021

Leading UK academics and companion animal experts set to present latest research exploring  Animal-Assisted Interventions on child health and development

The impact of Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) on the development, health and wellbeing of children and young people, is the focus of a session to be held at theSociety for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) 2021 Virtual Conferenceon Sunday 19thSeptember. 

Leading UK and companion animal experts are set to present the latest findings in the ‘Pets and Children' session, the first of three different sessions, at this year's SCAS Virtual Conference. Expert speakers, including Professor Joanne M. Williams from the Children, Adolescents and Animals Research (CAAR) andCentre for Applied Developmental Psychologyat the University of Edinburgh, Matthew Robinson MSci, PGCE fromPets As Therapy, andLesley Winton fromFostering Compassionwill share latest updates of evidence-based AAI research and practice in child-animal interaction and interventions. These will include evidence of the impact that living with companion animals has on children's development and in particular the role of attachment to pets for child mental health and wellbeing; the response and outcomes in trials of the video-conferencing delivery model of the popular Pets As Therapy Read2Dogs service; and the links between animal abuse, child abuse and interpersonal violence, and latest efforts being made to reverse the cycle of abuse that often exists in these circumstances.

As SCAS Chair, Dr Elizabeth Ormerod BVMS, explains, "The SCAS 2021 Virtual Conference's goal is to bring together a multidisciplinary group of professionals working with AAI to deliver pioneering and effective outcomes in human health and education while protecting human and animal welfare. Professionals with varied and complementary skills who would like to share their knowledge and experiences as well as learn from the latest research in the area from international experts."

She adds, "The Conference is a key platform to discuss scientific research and evidence and for specialists to showcase the benefits of AAI in a tangible manner, sharing their knowledge with other researchers and industry or policy makers in their field. Building a more robust evidence base around AAI will hopefully encourage greater understanding and uptake of this therapeutic approach that can literally change lives."

Two other sessions will also feature at the 2021 Conference. These include older people, and those with mental health problems. Each of these group sessions will open with a research-based presentation, followed by two presentations from organisations working with the client group.

The conference will conclude with a panel discussion chaired byEmeritus Professor Marie-José Enders-Slegerslooking at the integration of research and practice. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions of the experts throughout the day.

 

Further details, including how to register, can be found on theSCAS website.

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For media inquiries and interviews, please email: esther@3commpr.co.uk or call +44 (0)7870 439 158

Notes for Editors: -

AboutSCAS

SCAS was established in 1979 to promote the study of human-companion animal interactions and raise awareness of the importance of pets in society.

Over the past forty years SCAS has established itself as the UK authority in Human-Companion Animal Bond Research, funding research, providing education, raising awareness, encouraging best practice, and influencing the development of policies and practices that support the human-companion animal bond.

Twitter@SCASukFacebook@scas.org.uk

About theSCAS Annual Conference

The SCAS Conference is an annual platform to share knowledge on latest research into Animal-Assisted Interventions and best practice with practitioners and those who are working or interested in the field. The annual event helps bring international researchers, practitioners, and clients closer together.