Bente Berget

Bente Berget is affiliated with the University of Agder as an external researcher with payment, based in Kristiansand. She specializes in anthrozoology, focusing on human-animal interactions and green care (nature-based therapeutic interventions). Her work bridges mental health rehabilitation, psychiatric disorders, and social well-being through farm-animal-assisted therapy.

• Research Themes:
  • Green Care and One Health/One Welfare frameworks
  • Animal-assisted interventions for mental health
  • Prevocational training in nature-based settings
  • Human-cow interactions and stress reduction
• Collaborations:
  • Worked with Lena Lidfors, Bjarne Olai Braastad, and international scholars
  • Contributed to COST 866 Green Care in Agriculture working group
• Publications:
  • Authored/co-authored 15+ studies on animal-assisted therapy and mental health
  • Key topics: depression, anxiety, self-efficacy, social support, and oxytocin responses

Her research leverages farm environments as therapeutic spaces, emphasizing the psychological and physiological benefits of human-animal relationships. She also explores the implementation of care farms in Norway and their societal impact.