Topic 1.5 One Welfare and the Human–Animal Relationship

The relationship between humans and animals is central to assistance animal practice. Assistance animals are not simply tools that perform tasks; they are living, sentient partners whose wellbeing directly influences the health, participation and quality of life of the people they support. Likewise, the physical and psychological wellbeing of handlers, families and professionals has a profound influence on the welfare of the animals in their care. Contemporary animal welfare science increasingly recognises these reciprocal relationships through the concept of One Welfare.

One Welfare is an international framework that recognises the interdependence of animal welfare, human wellbeing and environmental sustainability. Building upon the One Health approach, which emphasises the connections between human, animal and environmental health, One Welfare extends these principles to include psychological wellbeing, social justice, ethical responsibility and quality of life. Rather than considering animal welfare in isolation, One Welfare recognises that improvements in animal welfare often benefit human wellbeing, while challenges affecting people frequently influence the welfare of animals.

For Occupational Therapists, the One Welfare framework aligns closely with the profession’s holistic philosophy of practice. Occupational therapy recognises that participation in meaningful occupations is influenced by complex interactions between individuals, environments and social systems. Assistance animals represent an extension of this philosophy, where occupational participation depends not only on the person but also on the health, welfare and functioning of another sentient individual.

The human–animal relationship is dynamic and evolves throughout the lifespan of an assistance animal partnership. Strong, positive relationships are characterised by trust, mutual communication, predictability and shared experiences. Conversely, stress, illness, unrealistic expectations, inadequate support or poor welfare may compromise both members of the partnership.

Understanding One Welfare encourages Occupational Therapists to consider broader systems influencing assistance animal partnerships. Rather than focusing solely on task performance, practitioners consider how environmental factors, family circumstances, professional support, workplace culture, financial resources and community attitudes influence both human and animal wellbeing.

This chapter introduces the principles of One Welfare, explores the human–animal bond and examines how Occupational Therapists can support sustainable, ethical partnerships that promote positive outcomes for people, animals and society.

What is One Welfare?

One Welfare is a collaborative framework recognising that the wellbeing of humans, animals and the environment is interconnected.

The framework acknowledges that:

• animal welfare influences human wellbeing
• human wellbeing influences animal welfare
• environmental conditions affect both humans and animals
• social, cultural and economic factors influence welfare across species
• collaborative solutions produce better outcomes than isolated approaches.

Rather than viewing welfare as the responsibility of a single profession, One Welfare encourages interdisciplinary collaboration to improve outcomes for all involved.

The Human–Animal Bond

The human–animal bond refers to the mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and animals that is influenced by behaviours essential to the health and wellbeing of both.

Within assistance animal partnerships, the bond develops through:

• trust
• consistent communication
• positive interactions
• shared experiences
• mutual learning
• predictable routines
• responsive caregiving.

A strong human–animal bond contributes to:

For the handler:

• increased independence
• emotional wellbeing
• occupational participation
• confidence
• social inclusion.

For the assistance animal:

• security
• predictability
• positive social relationships
• reduced stress
• improved welfare
• greater confidence.

Healthy relationships benefit both members of the partnership.

When Human and Animal Wellbeing Interact

One Welfare recognises that challenges experienced by one member of the partnership frequently affect the other.

For example:

A handler experiencing chronic illness or mental health challenges may unintentionally alter the animal’s routine, workload or opportunities for exercise.

Similarly, an assistance animal experiencing pain, fatigue or chronic stress may demonstrate behavioural changes that reduce task performance and increase stress for the handler.

Occupational Therapists should therefore consider the wellbeing of both members of the partnership when assessing occupational performance and planning interventions.

The Role of the Environment

The environment influences both human occupation and animal welfare.

Important environmental factors include:

• housing
• access to green spaces
• transportation
• workplace policies
• community attitudes
• financial resources
• family support
• healthcare access.

An environment that supports both the person and the assistance animal promotes participation, wellbeing and long-term partnership success.

Conversely, inaccessible environments, discrimination or inadequate support services may negatively affect both members of the partnership.

One Welfare in Occupational Therapy Practice

The principles of One Welfare align naturally with occupational therapy models that recognise the interaction between the person, environment and occupation.

Occupational Therapists applying One Welfare consider:

• the needs of the client
• the welfare of the assistance animal
• family wellbeing
• environmental barriers
• occupational balance
• community participation
• ethical practice
• interdisciplinary collaboration.

Clinical decisions should aim to optimise outcomes for both the person and the animal rather than prioritising one at the expense of the other.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

One Welfare cannot be achieved by a single profession.

Effective assistance animal practice requires collaboration between:

• Occupational Therapists
• veterinarians
• veterinary nurses
• accredited trainers
• animal behaviourists
• rehabilitation professionals
• psychologists
• medical practitioners
• educators
• disability support providers
• assistance animal organisations.

Each professional contributes unique expertise that supports the welfare of the animal and the participation of the handler.

Promoting Sustainable Assistance Animal Partnerships

Sustainable partnerships require ongoing support throughout the animal’s life.

Occupational Therapists can contribute by:

• monitoring welfare routinely
• supporting realistic expectations
• promoting occupational balance
• encouraging appropriate work–rest schedules
• planning for ageing and retirement
• facilitating referrals when required
• educating clients about welfare needs
• advocating for evidence-based practice.

Supporting the wellbeing of both members of the partnership helps maximise independence while protecting animal welfare.

The Occupational Therapist’s Role

Occupational Therapists are uniquely positioned to advocate for balanced outcomes that recognise the needs of both people and animals.

This includes:

• integrating welfare into clinical reasoning
• recognising the reciprocal effects of human and animal wellbeing
• promoting collaborative practice
• supporting ethical decision-making
• facilitating sustainable participation across the lifespan.

By adopting a One Welfare perspective, Occupational Therapists contribute to healthier partnerships, improved occupational outcomes and enhanced quality of life for both humans and assistance animals.

Key Practice Principle

Effective assistance animal practice requires Occupational Therapists to recognise that the wellbeing of people and animals is inseparable. By integrating principles of animal behaviour, welfare science and One Welfare into clinical reasoning, practitioners can support ethical, evidence-based partnerships that promote meaningful occupational participation while safeguarding the health, welfare and quality of life of the assistance animal.