Freya Pocklington

Existing scientific research has proven the positive impact animal assisted therapy (AAT) can have on certain patients with Long-Term Conditions (LTC’s), such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Crohn’s disease and HIV. Various written studies have shown animal contact can be beneficial for both mental and physical health. However, there is currently little accessible visual material that disseminates the evidence to wider audiences. In the UK, this research is only available in online subscription journals and academic books, which is unsuitable for patients who are often overloaded with information.

This MPhil by practice conducts new research into the human-animal bond, through fine art methods to both explore and then disseminate the findings to various audiences in hospitals, treatment centres and public spaces. The artist will conduct observations of patients and animals by recording and reflecting on the bond using drawn reportage. An interdisciplinary approach between art and medicine will gain new insight into AAT, testing to what extent drawing can be used to engage viewers in medical research. The investigation will examine if images can provide an emotional connection and sensory richness to research that written research does not usually provide. The study intents to produce evidence that AAT can have a positive effect on patients whilst also spreading knowledge of AAT to new and relevant audiences.