Animals and nature for human health

Research investigating how animals and nature affect human health is conducted at several SLU departments and spans various research areas. Here, we present a selection of current projects and publications in the field.

A selection of projects, publications and research groups

Animals, nature and human health

A selection of scientific publications by SLU researchers from the SLU publication database (SLUpub) on how animals and nature influence human health.

Anthrozoology

How do animals affect us – and how do we affect them? Researchers at SLU study the interactions between humans and animals.

Forest and health

Researchers at SLU conduct interdisciplinary research on how animals and nature affect human health.
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Read/download reports and other materials
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Report

Social working dogs - use, legislation and welfare

What is a social service dog? What tasks do these dogs perform, and how might their welfare be affected by their work? Read the report to find out (in Swedish).

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REPORT

Equine Assisted Interventions – horse welfare and human safety

The goal of this report is to provide a current analysis and raise important issues that can ensure the welfare of both horses and humans in equine-assisted interventions (report in Swedish).

Report cover showing a small child crouching down and looking at a ladybug.
REPORT

Children's contact with animals in everyday life

The opportunities for children and youth to have contact with animals in everyday life are sparsely covered in research. Read more in an interdisciplinary research-based synthesis (in Swedish).

Report cover showing a white flower.
REPORT

Green Rehabilitation as treatment on a farm

Research has shown that rehabilitation in a garden with access to nature can shorten the rehabilitation time for long-term sick leave patients diagnosed with stress-induced fatigue syndrome. Read more in the report (in Swedish).

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REPORT

The farm as a resource for society and the organization of its welfare service

The report aims to highlight how Sweden's municipalities and regions can use farms as a resource for various vulnerable target groups in society. (Report in Swedish).

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REPORT

Working with the heart – Green care, gender and entrepreneurship

Green care is at the intersection of rural development, entrepreneurship, a welfare state open to private care providers and a society characterized by gender. (Report in Swedish.)

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POLICY BRIEF

The loss of biodiversity threatens our health

A policy brief with recommendations from researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) to meet the goals within the framework of the global biodiversity framework (in Swedish).

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REPORT

Well-being and landscape ‒ beyond nature

In this report, we delve into the landscape as a way to understand how health and well-being are shaped by people's relationship to their surroundings. (Report in Swedish).

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POLICY BRIEF

Animal-assisted interventions for children’s mental wellbeing

At Uppsala Health Summit 2021, one focus was how animal-assisted interventions can support children facing mental health challenges in school – with insights and policy recommendations.