Animal-assisted interventions in a farm setting: Integrating global perspectives, social work, and ecological approaches for overall welfare

Abstract

Abstract The focus of the article is the integration of global perspectives, social work, and ecological approaches in animal-assisted interventions in a farm setting, presenting a model that addresses animal, human, and environmental welfare. The authors use a literature review and case scenario illustrating this model that suggests that welfare can be achieved through the simultaneous consideration of the following realms: Global initiatives of One Health and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Five Domains of Animal Welfare, social work theory and practice, and regenerative agriculture. Future research should include the practice of this model in a fashion that allows collecting and studying the outcomes for animals, humans, and the environment involved.

Keywords

• animal-assisted interventions
• One Health
• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• the Five Domains of Animal Welfare
• social work
• regenerative agriculture