Educational Sharing of Pedagogical and Ecological Values Mediated by Animals in Physical and Sports Activities

Abstract

Human-animal interaction and its benefits have been a topic of interest in recent decades, but how this interaction can benefit both species remains unclear. In the case of companion animals, the focus of many studies is on human-dog interaction. When they live together, humans and dogs share activities, and when they share an enjoyment of daily activities such as walking and interacting with others, they are considered compatible in their activity preferences. Individuals who are more compatible with their dogs also report having a better relationship with them, which could explain some of the benefits of human-dog interaction. Recreational or functional walks with dogs represent authentic lifesavers, both in physical and cognitive health aspect, these promote impact programs of well-being and public health. There is a great ecological and pedagogical potential mediated by dogs in sharing physical activity, going out educational strategies are envisaged. Alongside individual factors, socio-ecological models underline the fundamental role of social and urban planning factors in supporting physical activity, in this perspective dog walking can represent the advance in nature. The emotional involvement in human dog interaction spontaneously leads to respect for natural environments and the adoption of conscious and correct behaviors towards nature.