As the IN-HABIT project reaches its fifth and final year, it proudly celebrates a significant milestone: two doctoral thesis have been successfully defended by Carmen Borrelli and Giulia Granai at the University of Pisa. This achievement is not only a personal achievement for the researchers but also a recognition of IN-HABIT’s scientific and social contributions in the field of inclusive urban wellbeing.

Both thesis were developed within the framework of IN-HABIT, the Horizon 2020 European project that explores how inclusive health and wellbeing can be fostered in small and medium-sized cities through innovative solutions. Carmen and Giulia’s research demonstrates how the project has not only advanced applied knowledge but also inspired new academic paths.

On February 14, 2025, Carmen Borrelli defended her thesis entitled:

“Management of human-animal bond in the urban environment: ethological aspects“

Her work focuses on understanding the Human-Animal Bond (HAB) in urban environments, extending its scope to include both traditional pets, like dogs and cats, and less conventional ones such as reptiles. Carmen’s research comprises five interrelated studies: a literature review on the health and social benefits of pet ownership; the validation of the Cat/Dog Owner Relationship Scale for Italian cat owners; an investigation into the relationships between reptile owners and their pets; an evaluation of the effects of Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs) in nursing homes; and an educational program in primary schools aimed at enhancing children’s awareness of animal care and human-animal relationships.

The findings reveal the diversity and depth of human-animal bonds and their potential to enhance wellbeing, education, and inclusion in urban settings. Carmen’s work illustrates how integrating animals into urban life can foster healthier, more connected communities.

Just one week later, on February 21, 2025, Giulia Granai defended her thesis titled:

“Social innovation in the Hum-Animal field: animals as a support for the quality of urban life”

Her research investigates how animals, when framed as Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) – what we can call “animal-NBS”-, can become agents of social innovation in cities. Drawing on insights from the IN-HABIT project in Lucca, an international exchange in Spain, and extensive literature, Giulia explores how human-animal interactions can improve urban quality of life, especially for vulnerable groups, by promoting social inclusion and emotional wellbeing.

Using Participatory Action Research (PAR), Giulia engaged stakeholders through interviews and focus groups, co-designing an action plan that envisions animals as integral components of urban policy. Her work provides a replicable model for cities interested in adopting inclusive hum-animal strategies to enhance wellbeing and social cohesion.

The successful defense of the two doctoral thesis stands as a remarkable achievement and a testament to the transformative power of interdisciplinary research and collaboration.

Carmen and Giulia’s work not only extends the academic legacy of IN-HABIT but also offers concrete tools and evidence for rethinking the role of animals in the future of urban life.

Read the Full Abstract here:

“Management of human-animal bond in the urban environment: ethological aspects“

Abstract: The thesis focuses on understanding the human-animal bond (HAB) in urban environments, with a focus on both traditional pets (dogs and cats) and less conventional ones (reptiles). The aim was to explore how these interactions benefit people, improve well-being, and contribute to education and awareness. The research was divided into five studies, each addressing a specific aspect of the topic.The first study is a literature review summarizing the benefits of pet ownership, such as improved mental and physical health, reduced loneliness, and stronger social connections. The second study involved validating the Cat/Dog Owner Relationship Scale (C/DORS) for Italian cat owners, showing the importance of the bond between people and their pets and how it supports emotional well-being. The third study explored the bond between reptile owners and their pets, finding that although this relationship is less intense than with dogs and cats, it is still meaningful for owners.The fourth study examined the impact of Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs) in nursing homes. Results showed that therapy dogs helped improving the general quality of life of the residents, demonstrating the positive effects of structured human-animal interactions. The fifth study was an educational program in primary schools, designed to teach children about caring for animals and the benefits of the human-animal relationship. The program improved children’s understanding and attitudes towards animals. Overall, the research highlights how human-animal bonds differ depending on the type of animal and the context. While dogs and cats form strong emotional connections with their owners, reptiles offer a different, less interactive kind of bond. The findings also show the potential of therapy animals to support vulnerable populations and the importance of teaching children about animals from a young age. This work suggests that integrating animals into urban environment might improve quality of life and wellbeing for both people and animals

“Social innovation in the Hum-Animal field: animals as a support for the quality of urban life“

Abstract: In recent decades, the interest in Social Innovation (SI) and Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) has expanded in scientific literature, and they are being increasingly incorporated into urban strategic planning. At the same time, awareness and presence of animals in urban areas are also on the rise, attracting more attention within society. In this context, it is valuable to consider the opportunities associated with promoting human-animal interactions as an innovative nature-based approach and the social change processes that may shift perspectives on this subject, enhancing health and wellbeing of urban inhabitants.

This PhD thesis (created by the Department of Veterinary Science of the University of Pisa) explores the innovative use of animals in urban contexts as a solution to improve wellbeing and quality of life in cities, identifying their role as NBS themselves (animal-NBS) focused on social inclusion. The main objective of the research is to study how the presence of animals can contribute to the creation of more liveable urban spaces, with particular attention to the most vulnerable populations. Moreover, taking inspiration from literature collected, the European project Horizon2020 “IN-HABIT” (“INclusive Health and wellBeing In small and medium size ciTies”) in the city of Lucca and the in-person abroad experience in Spain, the project aims to understand which are the innovation paths that can mobilize animal resources and how urban policies can be redesigned to respond to this opportunity.

Throughout the PhD, the main methodology used was Participatory Action Research (PAR), applied to the IN-HABIT project in Lucca, and the tools employed were various (semi-structured interviews and Focus Groups) and fruitful to actively engage local stakeholders. The results indicate that animals, integrated as urban resources (A-NBS), can represent a significant opportunity to promote community wellbeing, fostering interpersonal interaction and supporting mental health.

At the end of the project, a shared action plan for the involvement of animals in urban planning policies was elaborated achieving the objectives and developing effective solutions based on a new relationship between people and animals, with the potential of being codified in an integrated urban hum-animal policy to be shared and transferred to other cities interested.