Status of Instrument Development in the Field of Human-Animal Interactions & Bonds: Ten Years On

The multidisciplinary nature of human -(nonhuman) animal interactions (HAI), and global interest in HAI development, has led to an explosion of research in recent years justifying the need to update previous reviews in the subject area. This paper reports the results of a systematic literature review focusing on measures of HAI created in the ten-year period since previous reviews ended (2008). Thirty new HAI questionnaires were identified using two sets of search terms. Results indicated that reliability and validity testing were still not standard within tool creation. Companion animal HAI remained dominant in the instrument field; however, there was continued research into exotic animal HAI and the initiation of research into therapy and assistance animal HAI. Refinement of terminology and consistent use of definitions could facilitate researchers from various disciplines being able to locate relevant research in future. Similar review updates are recommended for attitudes to animal tools.