1Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
2Camel owner ‘Texas Camel Corps’, Texas, USA/Independent researcher-documentarian
3Camel owner ‘Shamrock Farms’, Manhattan, USA/Secretary General, North American Camel Ranch Owners Association (NACROA)
4MSc in Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden
5Camel owner/Member of ‘Altweltkamele e.V.’, Löwenberger Land, Germany
6CEO and Co-founder of ‘Nomad Ventures’, Tennessee, USA/Independent Researcher and Author
7Green Chimneys Farm and Wildlife Center/Sam and Myra Ross Institute, Brewster, New York, USA
8Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
9MSc in Environmental Psychology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden
*Send Reprint Request to Carlos Iglesias Pastrana email: ciglesiaspastrana@gmail.com
Online Published on 04 March, 2025.
The increasing presence of camels in domestic settings has facilitated the implementation of camel-assisted services (treatment, education and support programmes) with satisfactory outcomes. However, their specific use for interventions that benefit human physical and psychosocial health requires further empirical investigation. This work reviews the characteristics of camels that make them suitable for these assisted services, such as their tranquil temperament, social character and unique locomotion. These assisted services can promote human and animal welfare and contribute to the sustainable conservation of zoogenetic resources. Nevertheless, more specific studies are needed to evaluate the detailed impact of these assisted services on human and animal health. Additionally, addressing the accessibility challenges is crucial, as costs are often not covered by insurance, making them less affordable.
Animal welfare, Animal-assisted service, Domestic camel, Functional valorisation, Human well-being, Human-animal interaction
