Includes bibliographical references and index.

"Our relationships with animals, as anyone with a beloved dog or cat knows, can be among the most significant in our lives. But why are we so attached to our pets? What kind of health, developmental, and psychological effects do animals have on us? And what practical benefits--for animals and humans alike--can be gained from a deeper understanding of human-animal interaction (HAI)? In this volume, a cross-disciplinary group of authors--including behavioral psychologists, neuroscientists, geneticists, ethicists, and veterinarians--seek to understand HAI by applying research in the neurobiology and genetics that underlie human social functioning. Contributors describe the concepts and methodologies that underlie human social functioning. Contributors describe the concepts and methodologies that social neuroscientists use to understand human social relationships, functioning, and the social bases of cognition, and they apply these to understanding the role of animals in our lives. Authors present evolutionary and developmental perspectives and weigh the implications of HAI research for animal welfare. They also explore clinical applications, like animal-assisted therapies for people with disabilities, acute or chronic health conditions, and social or emotional difficulties"--,Back cover.

SACFinal081324