Abstracts or copies of some of the articles listed below are available in the Health Benefits of Animals: Children or Health Benefits of Animals: Families sections of this web site.

  • Havener, L., Gentes, L., Thaler, B., Megel, M. E., Baun, M. M., Driscoll, F. A., Beiraghi, S., Agrawal, S. (2001). The effects of a companion animal on distress in children undergoing dental procedures. Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing, 24: 137-152.
  • Hansen, K.M., Messinger, C.J., Baun, M.M. & Megel, M. (1999). Companion animals alleviating distress in children. Anthrozoös, 12(3), 142-148.
  • Nagengast, S. L., Baun, M.M., Megel, M. & Leibowitz, J.M. (1997). The effects of the presence of a companion animal on physiological arousal and behavioral distress in children during a physical examination. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 12 (6), 323-330.
  • Ascione, F.R. (1992). Enhancing children's attitudes about the humane treatment of animals: generalization to human-directed empathy. Anthrozoös, 5(3), 176-191.
  • Ascione, F.R. & Weber, C.V. (1996). Children's attitudes about the humane treatment of animals and empathy: One-year follow up of a school-based intervention. Anthrozoös, 9 (4), 188-195.
  • Bergesen, F.J. (1989). The effects of pet facilitated therapy on the self-esteem and socialization of primary school children. Paper presented at the 5th international conference on the relationship between humans and animals, Monaco 1989.
  • Blue, G.F. (1986). The value of pets in children's lives. Childhood Education, 63, 84-90.
  • Bodmer, N.M. (1998). Impact of pet ownership on the well-being of adolescents with few familial resources. In Companion Animals in Human Health. Eds. C.C. Wilson, D.C. Turner, pp. 237-247, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA.
  • Bryant, B.K. (1986) The relevance of family and neighborhood animals to social-emotional development in middle childhood. Paper presented at the Delta Society International Conference, Boston, MA.
  • Bryant, B.K. (1990). The richness of the child-pet relationship: A consideration of both benefits and costs of pets to children. Anthrozoös, 3 (4), 253-261.
  • Bryant, B.K. (1995). Animal assisted therapy within the context of daily institutional life. Paper presented at the 7th International Conference on Human-Animal Interactions, Geneva.
  • Bulcroft, K. (1990). The benefits of animals to our lives: A four-part review. Part 1. Pets in the American family. People, Animals, Environment, 8 (4), 13-14.
  • Burch, M.R. (1992). Behavior treatment of drug exposed children. Children Today, 21 (1), 12-15.
  • Burch, M.R. (1995). The role of pets in therapeutic programmes. Animal-assisted therapy. In The Waltham Book of Human-Animal Interaction: Benefits and Responsibilities of Pet Ownership. Ed. I. Robinson. pp. 57-60. Oxford, United Kingdom: Pergamon, Kidlington.
  • Cain, A. O. (1985). Pets as family members. Marriage and Family Review, 8, 5-10.
  • Cawley, R., Cawley, D. and Retter, K. (1994). Therapeutic horseback riding and self-concept in adolescents with special educational needs. Anthrozoös, 7 (2) 129-34.
  • Condoret, A. (1983). Speech and companion animals, experience with normal and disturbed nursery school children. In New Perspectives in Our Lives with Companion Animals. Eds. A.H. Katcher and A.M. Beck. pp. 467-471. University of Pennsylvania Press, Pennsylvania.
  • Covert, A.M., Whiren, A. P., Keith, J. & Nelson, C. (1985) Pets, early adolescents and families. Marriage and Family Review, 8, 95-108.
  • Davis, J.H. (1987). Pre-adolescent self-concept development and pet ownership. Anthrozoös 1 (2), 90-94.
  • Friedmann E. & Thomas, S.A. (1985) Health benefits of pets for families. Special issue: Pets and the family. Marriage and Family Review, 8, 191-203.
  • Guttman, G., Predovic, M. and Zemanek, M. (1985). The influence of pet ownership in non-verbal communication and social competence in children. Proceedings of the International Symposium on the Human-Pet Relationship. pp. 58-63. IEMT, Vienna, Austria.
  • Haggerty Davis, J, Gerace, L. & Summers, J. (1989). Pet-care management in child-rearing families. Anthrozoös, 2 (3), 189-193
  • Heath, T.D. & McKenry, P.C. (1989) Potential benefits of companion animals for self-care children. Childhood Education, 7(4), 311-314.
  • Hyde, K.R., Kurdek, L. & Larson, P. (1983) Relationship between pet ownership and self-esteem, social sensitivity and interpersonal trust. Psychological Reports, 421, 110.
  • Kale, M. (1992). Kids & animals, a comforting hospital combination. Interactions, 10 (3), 17-21.
  • Katcher, A. & Wilkins, G.G. (1994). Helping children with attention-deficit hyperactive and conduct disorders through animal-assisted therapy and education. Interactions, 12 (4), 5-9.
  • Kidd, A.H. and Kidd, R.M. (1985) Children's attitudes toward their pets. Psychological Reports, 57, 15-31.
  • Levinson, B.M. (1978). Pets and personality development. Psychological Reports 423, 1031-1038.
  • Mader, B., Hart, L. & Bergin, B. (1989) Social acknowledgments for children with disabilities: Effects of service dogs. Child Development, 60, 1529-1534.
  • Mallon, G. P. (1994). Cow as co-therapist: Utilization of farm animals as therapeutic aides with children in residential treatment. Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal, 11 (6), 455-474.
  • Melson, G.F. (1987) The role of pets in the development of children's nurturance. Paper presented to the annual meeting of the Delta Society, Vancouver, B. C., Canada.
  • Melson. G.F. (1988). Availability of and involvement with pets by children: Determinants and correlates. Anthrozoös, 2 (1), 45-52.
  • Melson, G.F. & Peet, S.H. (1988) Attachment to pets, empathy and self-concept in young children. Paper presented to the annual meeting of the Delta Society, Orlando, FL.
  • Melson, G.F. (1991). Children's attachment to their pets: Links to socio-emotional development. Children's Environments Quarterly, 82, 55-65.
  • Melson, G.F. & Fogel, Alan (1996). Parental perceptions of their children's involvement with household pets: A test of a specificity model of nurturance. Anthrozoös, 9 (2/3), 95-106.
  • Melson, G.F. (1998). The role of companion animals in human development. In Companion Animals in Human Health. Eds. C.C. Wilson, D.C. Turner, pp. 219-236, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA.
  • Morrow. V. (1998). My animals and other family: Children's perspectives on their relationships with companion animals. Anthrozoös, 11 (4), 218-226.
  • Nagengast, S. L., Baun, M.M., Megel, M. & Leibowitz, J.M. (1997). The effects of the presence of a companion animal on physiological arousal and behavioral distress in children during a physical examination. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 12 (6), 323-330.
  • Nathanson, D. A. & de Faria, S. (1993). Cognitive improvement of children in water with and without dolphins. Anthrozoös, 6 (1), 17-29.
  • Philippe, S. (1995). Animal-assisted therapy (educational and psychological aspects) with dogs for psychotic and autistic children. Paper presented at the 7th International Conference on Human-Animal Interactions, Geneva.
  • Poresky, R.H. & Hendrix, C. (1988). Developmental benefits of pets for young children. Paper presented at the Delta Society 7th Annual Conference, Orlando, FL.
  • Poresky, R.H. & Hendrix, C (1990). Differential effects of pet presence and pet-bonding on young children. Psychological Reports, 66, 931-936.
  • Poresky, R. H. (1996). Companion animals and other factors affecting young children's development. Anthrozoös, 9 (4), 159-168.
  • Redefer, L. A. U Goodman, J.F. (1989) Brief report: Pet-facilitated therapy with autistic children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 19 (3) 461-7.
  • Reichert, E. (1994) Play and animal-assisted therapy: A group-treatment model for sexually abused girls ages 9-13. Family Therapy, 21 (1) 55-62.
  • Robin, M., ten Bensel, R.W., Quingly, J.S. & Anderson, R.K. (1983) Childhood pets and the psychosocial development of adolescence. In New Perspectives in Our Lives with Companion Animals. Eds. A.H. Katcher, A.M. Beck. pp. 436-443. University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia.
  • Robin, M. & ten Bensel, R.W. (1985). Pets and Socialization of children. Marriage and Family Review, 83 (4), 63-78.
  • Shalev, A. & Ben-Mordehai, D. (1996) Snakes: Interactions with children with disabilities and the elderly-some psychological considerations. Anthrozoös, 9 (4), 182-187.
  • Triebenbacher, S. L. (1998). The relationship between attachment to companion animals and self-esteem. In Companion Animals in Human Health. Eds. C.C. Wilson, D.C. Turner, pp. 135-148, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA.
  • Woolverston, M. C. (1991). Reducing children's stress during physical examination by having them play with animals during the procedure. Paper presented at Delta Society's 10th Annual Conference, Portland, OR.