A Commentary on the Contemporary Issues Confronting Animal Assisted and Equine Assisted Interactions

•The field of human-animal interactions and, more specifically, animal-assisted interventions (AAI) and equine assisted interactions (EAI) have significantly evolved over the past half century.•The diversity of terms used to describe EAI has led organizations to pursue approved and recognized industry terminology that can also be readily understood by the general public.•The most significant commentary pertaining to the efficacy of the research findings on AAI /EAI has been the need for more reliable empirical evidence.•Welfare of all animals working in AAI and EAI must be strongly taken into account.•The acceptance and the growth of both AAI and EAI in the public's eye are incumbent on demonstrating its efficacy. The field of human-animal interactions and, more specifically, animal-assisted interventions and equine assisted interactions (equine assisted interactions have significantly evolved over the past half century. The primary purpose of this paper is to provide a brief commentary of both fields and the challenges they are presently experiencing as they move forward in their future. More specifically within this commentary, attention will be given to highlighting some of the directions taken in both fields, including clarifying their terminology as it applies to scope of practices, trends in research and practice, the need to emphasize the welfare of the animals as well as the possible directions to standardized professional competencies and the needed professional development.