Prof. Dr. Karin Hediger
Ordentliche Professorin für Kinder- und Jugendpsychologie
T +41 41 229 58 22
karin.hediger@unilu.ch
Frohburgstrasse 3, Raum 1.B11
CV
Prof. Dr. Karin Hediger ist ordentliche Professorin für Kinder- und Jugendpsychologie an der Universität Luzern (ab 1. Juli 2024). Nach ihrem Studium in Psychologie an der Universität Zürich promovierte sie 2012 an der Universität Rostock (Deutschland) und habilitierte 2021 an der Universität Basel, wo sie von 2021 bis 2024 Assistenzprofessorin war. 2020 wurde Karin Hediger von der Open University in Heerlen (Niederlande) zur Professorin berufen und ist seit 2017 am Schweizerischen Tropen- und Public Health-Institut affiliiert. Zudem ist sie seit 2011 als Psychotherapeutin tätig. Karin Hedigers Forschungsschwerpunkt umfasst den Bereich Klinische Psychologie und Interventionsforschung mit einem klaren Fokus auf die tiergestützte Intervention.
Publikationen
- Hediger Karin, P. R. (2025). Heart rate and salivary cortisol as indicators of arousal and synchrony in clients, therapy horses and therapist in equine-assisted therapy. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. Abgerufen von https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1744388125000027?via%3Dihub
- Carbone, F., Gerber, E.-Y., & Hediger, K. (2025). Neuromechanisms and subjective experiences during human-dog interactions: assessing motivation and mental state in a randomized, controlled trial. Psychophysiology. https://doi.org/10.22541/au.172114362.24370131/v1
- Declercq, I. J. N., Leontjevas, R., Enders-Slegers, M.-J., Molog, M., Gerritsen, D. L., & Hediger, K. (2024). Developing a research agenda on NATure-based and Animal-assisted Intervention Strategies (NATAIS) in people with neurodegenerative diseases with a specific focus on social isolation and loneliness: a group concept mapping procedure. BMC Geriatrics, 24 (795). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-05387-2
- Arnskötter, W., Martin, S., Walitza, S., & Hediger, K. (2024). Effects of including a dog on treatment motivation and the therapeutic alliance in child and adolescent psychotherapy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 25 (26). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-023-07854-4
- Schaupp, J., Hediger, K., Wunderli, J. M., Schäffer, B., Tobias, S., Kolecka, N., & Bauer, N. (2024). Psychophysiological effects of walking in forests and urban built environments with disparate road traffic noise exposure: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychology, 12 (1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01720-x
- Kreuzer, L., Naber, A., Zink, R., Millesi, E., Palme, R., Hedifer, K., & Glenk, L. M. (2024). Horses’ Cardiovascular and Glucocorticoid Responses to Equine-Assisted Therapy with Women with Intellectual Disability: An Exploratory Study. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2024.2396968
- DeWinkel, T., van der Steen, S., Enders-Slegers, M.-J., Griffioen, R., Haverbeke, A., Groenewoud, D., & Hediger, K. (2024). Observational behaviors and emotions to assess welfare of dogs: A systematic review. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 72, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2023.12.007
- Reniers, P., Leontjecas, R., Declercq, I., Enders-Slegers, M.-J., Gerritsen, D., & Hediger, K. (2024). The development of the PET@home toolkit: An experience-based co-design method study. International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances, 6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnsa.2024.100189
- Hediger, K., & Arnskötter, W. (2024). Tiergestützte Therapie bei Kindern und Jugendlichen – Chancen und Herausforderungen. Psychologie & Erziehung, 12–16. Abgerufen von https://www.skjp.ch/de/zeitschrift-pe/pe-archiv
- Reniers, P. W. A., Leontjevas, R., Declercq, I. J. N., Enders-Slegers, M.-J., Gerritsen, D. L., & Hediger, K. (2023). The Roles of Pets in Long-Term Care at Home: A Qualitative Study. BMC Geriatrics, 23 (702). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04416-w
- Enders-Slegers, M.-J., & Hediger, K. (2023). Dieren als assistent-behandelaars? Huisarts en Wetenschap, 66 (6), 27–29. https://doi.org/10.1007/S12445-023-2256-1
- Wagner, C., Gaab, J., & Hediger, K. (2023). The Importance of the Treatment Rationale for Pain in Animal-Assisted Interventions: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Healthy Participants. The Journal of Pain, 24 (6), 1080–1093. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2023.01.004
- Reniers, P. W. A., Leontjevas, R., Declercq, I. J. N., Molog, M., Enders-Slegers, M.-J., Gerritsen, D. L., & Hediger, K. (2023). De Betekenis van huisdieren in de langdurige thuiszorg. Tijdschrift Voor Gerontologie en Geriatrie, 54 (4). https://doi.org/10.54195/TGG.18095
- Janssens, M., Eshuis, J., Heilijgers, E., Jacobs, N., Hediger, K., Lataster, J., & Peeters, S. (2023). Animal impact in real‐life: Study protocol for an ecological momentary assessment study on the role of animal characteristics in the relationship between companion animals and mental wellbeing. Mental Health Science, (2), 50–56. https://doi.org/10.1002/mhs2.40
- Enders-Slegers, M.-J., Leontjevas, R., Van Dijke, A., de Winkel, T., & Hediger, K. (2023). Children`s bond with companion animals and associations with psychosocial health: a systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 14 (1120000). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1120000
- Locher, C., Petignat, M., Wagner, C., Hediger, K., Roth, B., Gaab, J., & Koechlin, H. (2023). Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy for Pediatric Chronic Pain: Case Series of an Open Pilot Study to Test Initial Feasibility and Potential Efficacy. Journal of Pain Research, 1799–1811. https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S394270
- Naber, A., Volk, M., Hediger, K., & Zink, R. (2023). Can equine communication via audible exhales improve the welfare of therapy horses? - A pilot practice project. Human-Animal Interactions. https://doi.org/10.1079/HAI.2023.0039
- Reniers, P. W. A., Declercq, I. J. N., Hediger, K., Enders-Slegers, M.-J., Gerritsen, D. L., & Leontjevas, R. (2022). The role of pets in the support systems of community-dwelling older adults: a qualitative systematic review. Aging & Mental Health, 27 (7). https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2022.2141196
- Zinsstag, J., Hediger, K., Maidane Osman, Y., Abukhattab, S., Crump, L., Kaiser-Grolimund, A., … Pelikan, K. (2022). The Promotion and Development of One Health at Swiss TPH and Its Greater Potential. Diseases, 10 (3). https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases10030065
- Wohlfarth, R., & Hediger, K. (2022). Tierethische Aspekte tiergestützter Therapie. TIERethik, 14 (25), 19–59. Abgerufen von https://tierethik.net/data/2022-02/TE_2022_2_WohlfarthHediger.pdf
- Reniers, P. W. A., Leontjevas, R., Declercq, I. J. N., Enders-Slegers, M.-J., Gerritsen, D. L., & Hediger, K. (2022). The Significance of Pets for Vulnerable Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Explorative Qualitative Study. Animals, 12 (20), 2752 ff. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12202752
- Hediger, K., Marti, R., Urfer, V., Schenk, A., Gutwein, V., & Dörr, C. (2022). Effects of a Dog-Assisted Social- and Emotional-Competence Training for Prisoners: A Controlled Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (17). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710553
- Marti, R., Petignat, M., Marcar, V. L., Hattendorf, J., Wolf, M., Hund-Georgiadis, M., & Hediger, K. (2022). Effects of contact with a dog on prefrontal brain activity: A controlled trial. PLOS ONE, 17 (10). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0274833
- Kuenzi, P., Ackert, M., Grosse Holtforth, M., Hund-Georgiadis, M., & Hediger, K. (2022). Effects of animal-assisted psychotherapy incorporating mindfulness and self-compassion in neurorehabilitation: a randomized controlled feasibility trial. Scientific Reports, 12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-14584-1
- Wagner, C., Grob, C., & Hediger, K. (2022). Specific and Non-specific Factors of Animal-Assisted Interventions Considered in Research: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.931347
- Reniers, P. W. A., Declercq, I., Gerritsen, D., Hediger, K., Enders-Slegers, M. J., & Leontjevas, R. (2021). 216 - ECN Award: ‘The Meaning of Companion-Animal Support in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: An Integrative Review’. International Psychogeriatrics, 33 (S1), 17 ff. Abgerufen von https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610221001496
- Arnskötter, W., L. Marcar, V., Wolf, M., Hund-Georgiadis, M., & Hediger, K. (2021). Animal presence modulates frontal brain activity of patients in a minimally conscious state: A pilot study. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 32 (7). https://doi.org/10.1080/09602011.2021.1886119
- Tiergestützte Schmerztherapie. Hilfe bei chronischen Schmerzen im Kindes- und Jugendalter? (2021). Pädiatrie, (5), 8–11. Abgerufen von https://www.rosenfluh.ch/paediatrie-2021-05/tiergestuetzte-schmerztherapie-hilfreich-bei-chronischen-schmerzen-im-kindes-und-jugendalter
- Marti, R., & Hediger, K. (2021). Tiergestützte Therapie bei schweren Bewusstseinsstörungen. Schweizer Zeitschrift für Psychiatrie und Neurologie, (5), 36–38. Abgerufen von https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/public.s3b.spectra.io/docinside/prod/rosenfluh/media/psychiatrie-neurologie/2021/05/Tiergestuetzte-Therapie-bei-schweren-Bewusstseinsstoerungen.pdf
- Schaub, K., Ulrich, M., Zuber, D., Munch, L., Hediger, K., Marcar, V. L., … Huber, M. (2021). Making daily life perceptible: Impacts of therapy according to the Affolter Modell® on the consciousness and ability recovery in a patient in the Minimally Conscious State (MCS) minus. Ergoscience, 15 (2), 66–77. https://doi.org/10.2443/skv-s-2020-54020200203
- Hediger, K. (2021). Effectiveness of animal-assisted interventions for children and adults with post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysisffectiveness of animal-assisted interventions for children and adults with post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 12 (1`,). https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2021.1879713
- Wagner, C., Gaab, J., Locher, C., & Hediger, K. (2021). Lack of Effects of the Presence of a Dog on Pain Perception in Healthy Participants—A Randomized Controlled Trial. Frontiers in Pain Research, 2, 87 ff. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpain.2021.714469
- Leontjevas, R., Enders-Slegers, M.-J., Reniers, P., Declerq, I., Gerritsen, D., & Hediger, K. (2021). PET@home: Research protocol for a toolkit to improve care for non-residential long term care clients owning pets. International Psychogeriatrics, 68. Abgerufen von https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1041610224041450?via%3Dihub
- Hediger, K., Boek, F., Sachers, J., Blankenburg, U., Antonius-Kluger, E., Rist, B., … Kluger, G. (2020). Dog-Assisted Therapy in Neurorehabilitation of Children with Severe Neurological Impairment: An Explorative Study. Neuropediatrics, 51 (4). https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1708545
- Rodriguez, K. E., LaFollette, M. R., Hediger, K., Ogata, N., & O’Haire, M. E. (2020). Defining the PTSD Service Dog Intervention: Perceived Importance, Usage, and Symptom Specificity of Psychiatric Service Dogs for Military Veterans. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1638 ff. https://doi.org/10.3389/FPSYG.2020.01638
- Boitier, J. P., Huber, M., Saleh, C., Kerry, M. J., Hund-Georgiadis, M., & Hediger, K. (2020). Is Animal-Assisted Therapy for Minimally Conscious State Beneficial? A Case Study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 491 ff. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00491
- Wirth, S., Gebhardt-Henrich, S. G., Riemer, S., Hattendorf, J., Zinsstag, J. B., & Hediger, K. (2020). The influence of human interaction on guinea pigs: Behavioral and thermographic changes during animal-assisted therapy. Physiology & Behavior, 225, 113076 ff. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYSBEH.2020.113076
- Naber, A., Kreuzer, L., Zink, R., Millesi, E., Palme, R., Hediger, K., & Glenk, L. M. (2019). Heart rate, heart rate variability and salivary cortisol as indicators of arousal and synchrony in clients with intellectual disability, horses and therapist during equine-assisted interventions. Pet Behaviour Science, (7), 17–23. https://doi.org/10.21071/pbs.v0i7.11801
- Hediger, K., Meisser, A., & Zinsstag, J. (2019). A One Health Research Framework for Animal-Assisted Interventions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16 (4), 640 ff. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16040640
- Enders-Slegers, M.-J., & Hediger, K. (2019). Pet Ownership and Human–Animal Interaction in an Aging Population: Rewards and Challenges. Anthrozoös, 32 (2), 255–265. https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2019.1569907
- Wagner, C., Lang, U. E., & Hediger, K. (2019). “There Is a Cat on Our Ward”: Inpatient and Staff Member Attitudes toward and Experiences with Cats in a Psychiatric Ward. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16 (17), 3108 ff. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16173108
- Hediger, K., Petignat, M., Marti, R., & Hund-Georgiadis, M. (2019). Animal-assisted therapy for patients in a minimally conscious state: A randomized two treatment multi-period crossover trial. PLoS ONE, 14 (10). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0222846
- Hediger, K., Thommen, S., Wagner, C., Gaab, J., & Hund-Georgiadis, M. (2019). Effects of animal-assisted therapy on social behaviour in patients with acquired brain injury: a randomised controlled trial. Scientific Reports, 9 (1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-42280-0
- Templin, J. C., Hediger, K., Wagner, C., & Lang, U. E. (2018). Relationship Between Patient Satisfaction and the Presence of Cats in Psychiatric Wards. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 24 (12), 1219–1220. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2018.0263
- Animal-assisted therapy in the view of staff members before and after implementation in a rehabilitation clinic. (2017). Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin, 5 (2), 61–73. https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2017.0009
- Schramm, E., Hediger, K., & Lang, U. E. (2015). From Animal Behavior to Human Health. Zeitschrift für Psychologie, 223 (3), 192–200. Abgerufen von https://doi.org/10.1027/2151-2604/a000220
- Hediger, K., & Turner, D. C. (2014). Can dogs increase children’s attention and concentration performance? A randomised controlled trial. Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin, 2 (2), 21–39. https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2014.0010
- Beetz, A., Kotrschal, K., Turner, D. C., Hediger, K., Uvnäs-Moberg, K., & Julius, H. (2011). The Effect of a Real Dog, Toy Dog and Friendly Person on Insecurely Attached Children During a Stressful Task: An Exploratory Study. Anthrozoös, 24 (4), 349-368 ff. https://doi.org/10.2752/175303711X13159027359746
- Rimmele, U., Hediger, K., Heinrichs, M., & Klaver, P. (2009). Oxytocin Makes a Face in Memory Familiar. Journal of Neuroscience, 29 (1), 38–42. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4260-08.2009
- Marti, R., & Hediger, K. (2023). Are attachment, animal species, and animal contact duration associated with the health of pet owners and people having regular contact with animals? In International Society for Anthrozoology (Hrsg.), 32nd International Society for Anthrozoology Conference: Anthrozoology: The Spectrum of Human-Animal Interactions and Relationships (S. 141–142). Edinburgh: International Society for Anthrozoology.
- Groenewoud, D., Enders-Slegers, M.-J., Leontjevas, R., de Winkel, T., van Dijke, A., & Hediger, K. (2023). Children’s bond with companion animals and associations with psychosocial health: a systematic review. In International Society for Anthrozoology (Hrsg.), 32nd International Society for Anthrozoology Conference: Anthrozoology: The Spectrum of Human-Animal Interactions and Relationships (S. 131–132). Edinburgh: International Society for Anthrozoology.
- International Society for Anthrozoology (Hrsg.). (2023). Protocol for the process-evaluation of the development of the innovative PET@home Toolkit using the comprehensive EBCD+ method for frail client pet guardians. In 32nd International Society for Anthrozoology Conference: Anthrozoology: The Spectrum of Human-Animal Interactions and Relationships (S. 135–136). Edinburgh: International Society for Anthrozoology. Abgerufen von https://isaz.net/news-events/past-conferences.html
- Hediger, K. (2. November 2024). Psychologie in Luzern: ein neues Kapitel für die Universität. Zebi Magazin. Abgerufen von https://www.zebi.ch/de/c/psychologie-in-luzern-ein-neues-kapitel-fuer-die-universitaet.56720
- Neuberufen: Karin Hediger im Gespräch. (17. Oktober 2024). Universität Luzern News. Abgerufen von https://www.unilu.ch/news/neuberufen-karin-hediger-im-gespraech-8858/
- Vierbeiner als Psychologen: Wie Tiere uns beim Heilen helfen können: Podcastfolge: "Durchblick". (7. November 2024). Abgerufen von https://www.blick.ch/life/wissen/podcast/vierbeiner-als-psychologen-wie-tiere-uns-beim-heilen-helfen-koennen-id20299016.html
- Hediger, K. (31. August 2024). Wie wirken sich Tiere positiv auf Menschen mit Behinderungen aus? SRF Sendung - Stiftung Denk an mich. Abgerufen von https://www.srf.ch/audio/stiftung-denk-an-mich/wie-wirken-sich-tiere-positiv-auf-menschen-mit-behinderungen-aus?id=17c2840e-0251-43d0-85fa-8e4a2c6b84cc
Weitere Forschungsleistungen
- Impacts of an Animal-Assisted Trauma-Focused Therapy Group Program for Children and Adolescents: A Practical Approach. Referat, The power of human-animal interaction in times of crisis, International Association of Human Animal Interaction Organizations, Cluj-Napoca, 2024
- Minimum standards for research in the field of Animal Assisted Services (AAS), Human Animal Interaction (HAI), and/or the Human Animal Bond (HAB). Workshop, The power of human-animal interaction in times of crisis, International Association of Human Animal Interaction Organizations, Cluj-Napoca, 2024
- An experience sampling study into the role of animal species and behaviour in the pet-effect: it is not who we appraise, but what we appraise. Referat, 32nd International Society for Anthrozoology Conference, International Society for Anthropology, Edinburgh, 2023
Interessenbindungen
- Vorstandsmitglied, International Society for Animal Assisted Therapy, 2015–2022
- Präsidentin, Gesellschaft für Tiergestützte Therapie und Aktivitäten, 2022–
- Professor, Open University, Heerlen, 2020–
- Scientific Advisory Board, Research group "animal assisted interventions" at the University of Applied Sciences Alice Solomon Hochschule Berlin, Germany, 2020–
- Vorstandsmitglied, International Association of Human Animal Interaction Organisations, 2018–
- Scientific Advisory Board, Bundesverband Tiergestützte Interventionen e.V., 2018–
- Präsidentin, compas - Institut für natur- und tiergestützte Interventionen, 2018–
- Präsidentin, Institut für interdisziplinäre Erforschung der Mensch-Tier-Beziehung, 2016–
