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2026 Vol.2, Issue 3 Preview Page

Review Article

Program components and research design characteristics of companion animal-assisted interventions for children in korea
Eun Kyung Kang1
,
Cheol Won Kang2*
1Korean Kennel Club, Seoul 05008, Republic of Korea
2Samsung C&T Corporation Everland Zoo(Zootopia), Yongin 17023, Republic of Korea
*Corresponding Author
30 September 2026. pp. 223-233
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Abstract

This review examined program components and research design characteristics of companion animal-assisted interventions for children. Relevant studies were reviewed with a focus on participant and animal characteristics, intervention activities, session structure, facilitator roles, and outcome assessment. The reviewed programs involved children with diverse developmental characteristics and primarily used dogs, although rabbits and cats were also included. Considerable differences were found in intervention duration, activity structure, child–animal contact, comparison conditions, and assessment methods. Small samples, limited independent assessment, and insufficient follow-up further restricted comparison and interpretation. Future studies should clearly report participant suitability, animal characteristics and welfare, intervention goals, actual intervention dose, facilitator composition, and assessment procedures. Standardized reporting may improve the safety, reproducibility, and comparability of companion animal-assisted intervention research.

Keywords
Animal welfare
Children
Companion animal-assisted intervention
Program components
Research design
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Information
  • Publisher :Journal of Humanimal Sciences
  • Publisher(Ko) :한경국립대학교 휴머니멀응용과학연구소
  • Journal Title :Journal of Humanimal Sciences
  • Journal Title(Ko) :휴머니멀과학학술지
  • Volume : 2
  • No :3
  • Pages :223-233
  • Received Date : 2026-08-13
  • Accepted Date : 2026-08-16
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.23341/jhas.2026.2.3.223
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