How to Measure Human-Dog Interaction in Dog Assisted Interventions? A Scoping Review

Simple Summary A particular type of human-dog interaction is established in dog-assisted interventions (DAIs). This interaction is based on strong human-animal cooperation and the possibility of mutual benefit during the intervention and involves complex dynamics and multisensory channel communication. The issue of measuring human-dog interaction is not new to the field of anthrozoology, but it becomes even more exciting in DAIs, given the central role that the human-animal relationship plays. In this scoping review, we look at the methods and tools that have been used to date to analyse dog-human interaction, relationships and bonding in this context. The results highlight the need for further development and refinement of the tools in terms of validity and reliability. Other emerging trends in research are the need to take into account the perspective of the dog involved and the influence of the dog-handler relationship on the outcomes of interventions in terms of the well-being and functionality of the dyad. The identified methods and tools can be used by both researchers and practitioners to further investigate aspects of human-dog interaction in the field of DAIs.Abstract Human-dog interaction is the working tool through which the therapeutic, educational and recreational goals of dog-assisted interventions (DAIs) are achieved. A better understanding of the characteristics of this interaction could improve the effectiveness of DAIs. This scoping review addresses the question: how has the human-dog connection been measured in the context of DAIs? After searching the Web of Science and Scopus platforms, only peer-reviewed, primary research studies reporting measures of therapy dog-human interaction, relationship and bond were included. A total of 70 included articles provided information on what was measured (interaction, relationship or bond) and how, as well as the general context (DAIs or experimental situations with therapy dogs). While the majority of the articles identified use behavioural analysis methods to analyse the interaction between the participant/recipient and the therapy dog during DAIs, it was possible to identify some more structured tools that assess the participant/recipient's interaction, relationship or bond with the therapy dog, as well as tools that consider the animal's perspective or focus on the dog-handler dyad, indicating growing areas of research. The tools and methods identified can be used by both practitioners and researchers to further explore aspects of human-dog interaction in the field of DAIs.