People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice (PAIJ)
About the journal
People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice (PAIJ) is the official peer-reviewed open-access publication of the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations (IAHAIO, www.iahaio.org). PAIJ publishes articles related to research and practice in the fields of animal-assisted services (AAS) and human-animal interactions (HAI) where the wellbeing of humans and animals are concerned. The journal seeks to strengthen the links between science and practice of these fields, through an interdisciplinary lens drawing from the fields of psychology, medicine, education and special education, sociology, social work, nursing, veterinary medicine, ethology, biology, ethics, and law.
The journal contains a science and a practice section, each comprised of several articles. In the research section, original research papers and reviews are published. The practice section includes publication of program descriptions of AAS, best practices and practical aspects of HAI and AAS such as education, legislation, ethics, hygiene, and risk prevention. To make the findings from science more accessible for practitioners, each science article also contains a summary for practitioners, which highlights the relevance and implications of the findings to the practice of HAI and AAS.
There are no publication fees for the authors.
Between 2019 and 2025, we were delighted to have the financial support of Nestle Purina whose sponsorship enabled us to continue with online publication that is freely available to our readership.
Aim and scope
The aim of People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice (PAIJ) is to promote the exchange of knowledge between the science and practice of animal-assisted services (AAS) and human-animal interactions (HAI). Original research and reviews are published in the science section and the implications for practices from the new knowledge is made available for AAS practitioners in the “Summary for practitioners” section that accompanies each article. The practice section of PAIJ provides a platform for practitioners in the field of AAS and HAI to share best practices, programs, new and innovative ideas and approaches to interventions, education, and training, as well as views on practical issues including ethical and legal aspects as well as insights on risk prevention.
We invite contributions for both the science and practice sections from researchers and practitioners from a wide variety of disciplines such as psychology, medicine, education and special education, sociology, social work, nursing, veterinary medicine, ethology, biology, ethics, and law. An interdisciplinary view, whenever possible, is favoured, as this reflects the philosophy of HAI and AAS.
Editors
- Em.Prof.Dr Marie-Jose Enders-Slegers, Institute of Anthrozoology, Netherlands
- Jo-Ann Fowler, Director of IAHAIO, UK
- Prof. Dr Brinda Jegatheesan, Washington University, Seattle
- Em.Prof.Dr.sc.Dr.h.c. Dennis Turner, Director I.E.T./I.E.A.P.
- Dr.Clare Thomas-Pino, Hartpury University, HHRF Board of Directors; SCAS Board of Trustees, IAHAIO Board of Trustees
Editorial board members
Victor Chitic
Carlie Driscoll
Clifford Flynn
Nancy Gee
Birgit Stetina
Steffi van der Steen
Theo Verheggen
Sandra Wesenberg