Bioengineering and multi-disciplinary approach in the study of emotional transfer in human-horse and human-dog interactions: the FEELS’ project

Bioengineering and multi-disciplinary approach in the study of emotional transfer in human-horse and human-dog interactions: the FEELS’ project

September 28, 2018

from 4:00 to 6:30 PM

GRONCHI Room and front outside space
Regional Natural Park Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli

Referent: Mario Arispici

Local Scientific-Organizational Committee: Mario Arispici, Paolo Baragli, Alessandra Guidi, Antonio Lanatà, Cosimo Braccitorsi, President of ALFEA Pisan Society Racing Horses, Pisa

Moderators: Mario Arispici, Pisa, Alessandra Guidi, Pisa
Scientific Responsible: Mario Arispici, Pisa

16:00 – 16:20 Assisted Interventions with Animals in Italy: state of the art and perspectives
Laura Contalbrigo, Padova

16:20 – 16:40 The wonderful emotional world of dogs
Elisabetta Palagi, Pisa

16:40 17:00 Clever Hans a century later: quantitative-qualitative measure of cardiac coupling in the interaction between horse and human
Paolo Baragli, Pisa
Antonio Lanatà, Pisa

17:00 – 17:20 Deficit of emotional regulation in humans
Angelo Gemignani, Pisa
Andrea Zaccaro, Pisa

17:20 – 17:40 The experience at the “E. Piaggio ” Center in the study of emotions
Enzo Pasquale Scilingo, Pisa

17:50 Presentation of the FEELS project

17:50 – 19:30 Practical demonstration

Paolo Baragli, Pisa
Antonio Lanatà, Pisa

Abstract

Horses and dogs are playing a crucial role in the Assisted Interventions with Animals (IAA) as therapeutic support in several neuropsychiatric pathologies, even in psychological rehabilitation and as a support under post-traumatic conditions. Furthermore, dogs represent the most important aid to improve the quality of life of people with visual impairment. However, very little is currently known about the sensory channels and the involved neuro-psychological and emotional mechanisms, when this interaction is established.

The main hypothesis is based on the concept that, at the time of interaction, human and horse/dog are to be considered as two complex biological systems, which entering into a sensorial contact interact through a process of “Emotional contagion” and the latter is modulated by the type, duration and quality of the interaction itself.

The workshop will focus on the complexity showed by human and horse/dog relationship and will explore the possibilities offered by the bioengineering science to monitor and measure the behavior and activities during the emotional exchange between people and animals through the Autonomous Nervous System response.

The workshop will be followed by practical demo in the space outside the conference room.

We can measure the “emotional” interaction between human and horse/dog through non-invasive biotechnologies, supported by complex analyzes of biomedical signals. By measuring changes in the cardio-pulmonary parameters of the horse, we are able to produce a bio-feedback (through vibrating, luminous or acoustic stimuli) that notifies the person who is interacting with the animal, about changes in the emotional state of this latter. Giving the importance of emotional reactions in animals interacting with humans, the same parameters and a subsequent tactile bio-feedback are going to be investigated during the interaction between a guide dog and a blind person.

Faculty

Mario Arispici, già Ordinario di Medicina Veterinaria, Università di Pisa

Paolo Baragli, medico veterinario, Ricercatore, Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa

Laura Contalbrigo, medico veterinario, Centro di Referenza Nazionale per gli Interventi Assistiti con gli Animali (CRN IAA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Padova

Luca Farina, Direttore del Centro di Referenza Nazionale per gli Interventi Assistiti con gli Animali (CRN IAA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Padova

Angelo Gemignani, Professore Ordinario di Neurologia, Università di Pisa

Alessandra Guidi, Professore Ordinario, Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa

Antonio Lanatà, bio-ingegnere, Centro di Ricerca Bioingegneria e Robotica “E. Piaggio” e Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell’Informazione, Università di Pisa

Elisabetta Palagi, etologa, Museo di Storia Naturale, Università di Pisa

Enzo Pasquale Scilingo, Professore Ordinario di Bioingegneria Elettronica e Informatica, Centro di Ricerca Bioingegneria e Robotica “E. Piaggio”, Università di Pisa

Claudio Sighieri, Professore Ordinario di Fisiologia Veterinaria, Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa

Andrea Zaccaro, medico Neurologo, Dipartimento di Patologia Chirurgica, Medica, Molecolare e dell’Area Critica, Università di Pisa