AN 216 - Animal Human Bond

3 Credits
Outline Effective Date: Academic Year 2025/2026
Revised Date: Aug 14, 2025
Date Approved: Aug 14, 2025

Lecture Hours: 45

Course Description:
The human animal bond is an essential component of utilizing animals in a variety of settings. This course covers the history of the human animal bond, the physiological and psychological components of the human animal bond, and the benefits the human animal bond provides to both humans and animals. As well, an understanding of animal welfare and ethical considerations involved when animals are partnered with people is covered.

Rationale:
This is a required course for the Animal Assisted Wellness certificate. It is essential that students in the Animal Assisted Wellness certificate have a strong understanding of what the human animal bond is, and why it is so important. Students need to also have an appreciation for the animal welfare involved in maintaining the human animal bond, and ethical considerations to be considered when animals are involved in human intervention.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None

Course Learning Outcomes:
A student who successfully completes the course will have reliably demonstrated the ability to

1.discuss the history of animal relationships and how they have led to the concept of the human animal bond.

2.describe the societal values, beliefs and attitudes that have affected and continue to affect the idea of the human animal bond.

3.explain the concept of the human animal bond, and the terminology associated with it.

4.examine their own understanding of the human animal bond, and the importance of animals in their lives.

5.discuss the ethical considerations when practitioners partner with animals to help others.

6.discuss the history of animal welfare in the world, and how it is evolving.

7.identify and define terms related to animal welfare.

8.investigate current animal welfare issues which specifically affect the work with animals in animal assisted wellness settings.

9.advocate for the animals in their role as wellness or educational partners.

Required Resource Materials:
None

Optional Resource Materials:
None

Conduct of Course:
This course consists of 45 hours of lecture and is conducted using the D2L web-based platform for online learning. Materials are made available to students each week, followed by interactive discussion forums and relevant assignments. Examination of materials is also a component of the course and may take place as online quizzes.

Because this course is on-line, attendance is demonstrated by keeping up with readings and assignments, participation in dialogue on the discussion board and completing course work and assignments to the satisfaction of the instructor. Assignments and exams are completed within the timeline specified by the instructor.

In cases where illness impedes participation, the student may be requested to submit a medical certificate.

Content of Course:

The Human Animal Bond Prequel
History of the Human Animal Bond
The Human Animal Bond Today
The Physiology and Psychology of the Human Animal Bond
Ethical Considerations of the Human Animal Bond
An Introduction to Partnering with Animals in Animal Assisted Wellness
When the Human Animal Bond is Broken
The History of Animal Welfare
What is Animal Welfare Today
Animal Welfare as it Pertains to the Human Animal Bond and Animal Assisted Wellness

Course Assessments:

Discussion Assignments	20%
Project	20%
Midterm Exam	25%
Final Exam	30%
Participation	5%

Official final grades will be available on My Lakeland. Grades posted in D2L should be considered interim grades.
“Lakeland College is committed to the highest academic standards. Students are expected to be familiar with Lakeland College policies and to abide by these policies. Violations of these policies are considered to be serious and may result in suspension or expulsion from the College.”

Course Pass Requirements:
A minimum grade of D (50%) (1.00) is required to pass this course.

Letter	F	D	D+	C-	C	C+	B-	B	B+	A-	A	A+
Percent Range	0-49	50-52	53-56	57-59	60-64	65-69	70-74	75-79	80-84	85-89	90-94	95-100
Points	0.00	1.00	1.30	1.70	2.00	2.30	2.70	3.00	3.30	3.70	4.00	4.00

Students must maintain a cumulative grade of C (GPA - Grade Point Average of 2.00) in order to qualify to graduate.

Every effort has been made to ensure that information in this course outline is accurate at the time of publication. Lakeland College reserves the right to change courses if it becomes necessary so that course content remains relevant.

In such cases, the instructor will give students clear and timely notice of changes.

No part of this course outline may be reproduced in any form or resold without written permission from Lakeland College.

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Here at Lakeland College, we acknowledge that the land we gather on is the traditional homeland, hunting, and ceremonial gathering places of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit. The Plains Cree, Woodland Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Métis, Dene, and Nakota Sioux people have practiced their culture and languages on Treaty 6 and Métis Region 2 territories for generations and were the original caretakers of this land. Many First Nation, Métis and Inuit peoples call this land home today and have done so for millennia. We would like to acknowledge the history we have created together on this land, and to be thankful for the opportunity to walk together side-by-side in friendship, learning from our past, and promoting positive relationships for the past, present and future.