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Health Benefits and Health Cost Savings Due to Pets: Preliminary Estimates from an Australian National Survey
Abstract
American, Australian and British studies have shown that pet dogs and cats confer health benefits on their owners. This paper reports results from the first national survey (N = 1011) estimating the magnitude of these benefits. The survey showed that dog and cat owners make fewer annual doctor visits and are less likely to be on medication for heart problems and sleeping difficulties than non-owners. An important public policy implication is that pet ownership probably reduces national health expenditure. By linking sample survey results to data on health expenditure, the paper proposes a method of estimating savings. A preliminary estimate of savings of $988 million is given for Australia for financial year 1994--95.
... Aussi, nous présenterons à la fois les recherches portant sur les interventions assistées par l'animal, c'està-dire des configurations dans lesquelles l'animal a été introduit par des professionnels mais aussi les recherches ayant directement utilisé les propriétaires d'animaux pour évaluer les effets de la présence de ces derniers sur l'homme. Une étude longitudinale (Friedmann, Katcher, Lynch, et Thomas, 1980) Une autre enquête a exploré l'ampleur des avantages liés à la possession de chats ou de chiens de compagnie sur la santé humaine (Headey, 1999). Outre ses effets sur la santé physique, la recherche a identifié que l'animal pouvait aussi avoir des effets positifs sur la santé psychologique. ...
... Outre ses effets sur la santé physique, la recherche a identifié que l'animal pouvait aussi avoir des effets positifs sur la santé psychologique. D'ailleurs, parmi les recherches que nous venons de présenter, l'étude de Headey (1999) étend ses résultats aux effets psychologiques ou sociaux, comme nous le verrons. ...
... L'enquête d' Headey (1999) ...
Les personnes SDF et leurs chiens restent à la marge de la majorité des dispositifs sociaux et sont l’objet d’un contre-transfert social généralement négatif. L’objectif de ce travail est de comprendre pourquoi certaines personnes ont des chiens dans la rue. En s’appuyant sur un référentiel psychanalytique, cette recherche se fonde sur les discours d’acteurs rencontrés sur le terrain et sur des entretiens semi-directifs réalisés auprès de neuf SDF possédant au moins un chien, rencontrés au sein d’un CAARUD et d’un CHRS. Les entretiens ont été traités à l’aide de l’analyse de contenu (Bardin, 1977 ; Castarède, 1983) et d’une analyse clinique de cas (Castro, 2005 ; Pedinielli, 2005). Les résultats soulèvent un paradoxe. D’une part, le chien apparaît notamment comme un support d’étayage aux besoins du moi (Roussillon, 2008a); comme un objet de relation (Gimenez, 2002) et la relation à l’animal comme une voie d’accès à l’aire transitionnelle (Winnicott, 1971b) où œuvrent les processus d’identification projective normale et d’identification introjective (Bion, 1962, 1967). D’autre part, cette relation peut incarner une défense psychique contre une souffrance psychosociale et une stratégie de survie conduisant, paradoxalement, ces personnes à se suradapter à leurs conditions de vie délétères sans pouvoir le penser. Seules une véritable préoccupation sociétale et des prises en charges adaptées pourront soutenir le chien comme un moyen par lequel le sujet peut négocier sa souffrance psychique, son identité et développer sa subjectivité. Comprendre cette relation implique par ailleurs une approche en santé mentale, soucieuse des ressources du sujet et de son environnement.
... Pet attachment score was significantly more among pet owners in our study who were unmarried/divorced/widow compared with those who were currently married, which was similar to the observations of an Australian study performed by Headey (1999). This meant that the attachment with pets strengthens when the loneliness in life deepens. ...
... This meant that people who were more attached with their pets expressed better social support. Presence of pets has been found to facilitate interaction of its owners with others (Headey, 1999;Mullersdorf et al., 2010;Cline, 2010). McNicholas and Collis (2000) found that walking with the pets resulted in significantly more chance conversations than while walking alone. ...
... This meant that the pet ownership status might not have influenced the occurrences of health problems among participants. However, other studies reported that pet owners were found to report better health and well-being and fewer physician visits, leading to more savings in health care costs (Headey, 1999;Pachana et al., 2005). Such observations suggestive of healthier and wealthier status among pet owners could have been as a result of people with better health and financial status having the capacity and resources to own and maintain pets (Herzog, 2011). ...
Pets are known to play a supportive role in people's lives. However, their role in helping individuals to cope with stress and in enhancement of their social connectedness needs to be established. This case-control study was performed to compare the stress levels between pet owners and non–pet owners, to correlate the stress levels with the extent of pet attachment and to assess the relationship between pet attachment and social support among pet owners. Data were collected using an interview schedule among urban residents aged more than 12 years. The stress levels, social support, and the extent of pet attachment were assessed using standard questionnaires. A total of 122 pet owners from 108 houses and an equivalent number of non–pet owners from 82 houses took part in this study. The mean perceived stress score among pet owners (n = 122) was 24.8 ± 6.7 compared with 23.0 ± 7.0 among non–pet owners (n = 122) (t = 2.064, P = 0.04). The mean pet attachment score among married (n = 77) and unmarried/divorced/widow (n = 42) pet owners was 49.1 ± 7.7 and 55 ± 8.2, respectively (t = 3.954, P < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between the time (in hours) spent with the pet in a day and with the pet attachment score (r = 0.272, P = 0.003). The mean of the emotional component of the social support survey mean score was 3.6 ± 0.8 and 3.8 ± 1.0 among pet owners (n = 120) and non–pet owners (n = 122), respectively (t = 2.19, P = 0.029). There was a significant correlation between pet attachment scores and mean of the emotional component of the social support survey scores among pet owners (r = 0.211, P = 0.022). There was no association between pet/dog ownership status and frequency of morning/evening walks among participants. Pet attachment was greater among participants who were not married. Among pet owners, those with greater pet attachment were found to have higher mean of the mean scores of the emotional component of the social support survey. In other aspects, however, no benefits were associated with pet ownership.
... The idea that pets are 'good for us' is not a new one, but it is only in the past few decades that it has been subject to formal scientific scrutiny (Wells 2009). A 1999 study based on a survey of 1011 people in America, Australia and Britain showed that pet dogs and cats confer quantifiable health benefits to their owners (Headey 1999). The survey showed that dog and cat owners make fewer annual visits to medical doctors and are less likely to be on medication for heart problems and sleeping difficulties than are non-owners. ...
... The survey showed that dog and cat owners make fewer annual visits to medical doctors and are less likely to be on medication for heart problems and sleeping difficulties than are non-owners. By linking these sample survey results to data on health expenditure, the paper proposed a preliminary savings estimate of AU$988 million for Australia for the financial year 1994-95 (Headey 1999). ...
... On the basis of the assumption that pets (dogs and cats) confer a 2.7% saving to overall health expenditure (Headey 1999), this would equal AU$4.2 billion in health savings for the financial year 2013-14 alone (total expenditure on health in 2013-14 in Australia was AU$154.6 billion; Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2015). Given our previously estimated costs of acquiring and caring for a domestic dog (AU$10.3 billion), this reduces the net financial cost of companion-dog ownership to approximately AU$6.1 billion. ...
Carnivore conservation and management is complex and expensive, and significant ongoing management costs may inhibit the development of new tools and any subsequent transition away from lethal control. We review and compare the economic costs and benefits of dingoes and domestic dogs in Australia and suggest that public affinity for domestic dogs may be co-opted into yielding more positive management outcomes for dingoes. Whereas Australians spend over AU$10 billion annually on purchasing and maintaining 4.2 million domestic dogs, landowners and government spend at least AU$30 million attempting to limit the density and distribution of dingoes, feral dogs, and their hybrids. These contrasting investments highlight the dual response of society towards domestic and wild members of the Canis genus. We suggest that a modest conservation levy on the sale of pet dogs or dog food, or both, could secure long-term funding to support efficacious non-lethal management of dingo impacts. A modest levy could generate AU$30 million annually, funding the development of non-lethal dingo-management tools without compromising existing management practices while new tools are investigated. Ultimately, a transition away from controlling dingoes through culling or exclusion fencing, to managing the negative impacts of dingoes could result in both more successful and sustainable management outcomes of dingoes and support the ecological, cultural and economic benefits they confer as Australia’s apex predator.
... According to Kurdek [18], adult dog owners turn to their dogs rather than to close friends or relatives in times of emotional distress. A total of 79% of pet owners stated that their pet helps them to get through the difficult times, as the majority of owners considered their pets to be a part of the family [19]. Pet ownership has been repeatedly linked to increased health by means of fewer doctor visits and less use of medication and, as a result, pets could possibly save national health expenditures [19][20][21]. ...
... A total of 79% of pet owners stated that their pet helps them to get through the difficult times, as the majority of owners considered their pets to be a part of the family [19]. Pet ownership has been repeatedly linked to increased health by means of fewer doctor visits and less use of medication and, as a result, pets could possibly save national health expenditures [19][20][21]. Potential health benefits of assistance dogs are often overlooked by medical professionals, as the health management is primarily focused on pharmacological and surgical treatments. The most common mobile aid associated with blind people is the white cane, and although the cane is a very practical mobile aid, an overwhelming majority of guide dog owners preferred guide dogs over the cane [13,22,23]. ...
... Milan [51] concluded that there is no association between levels of depression and mobility dog ownership. However, accounting for the positive effects of dog companionship on human health [18][19][20][21], it is also possible that people with higher levels of depression, anxiety, or blood pressure are more likely to apply for a guide dog in the hopes of alleviating those conditions. Only descriptive data analysis revealed higher injecting of addictive substances like smoking behavior, and consumption of cannabis, stimulants, and sedative drugs in the GD group. ...
Blindness has previously been associated with impaired quality of life (QOL). Guide dogs may not only support blind people in their independency, but also facilitate social relationships and overall health. This study sought to investigate whether blind people from Austria with a guide dog, when compared with blind people without a guide dog, differ in their QOL, annual medical costs, and attitudes towards the human–guide dog relationship. Participants (n = 36) filled out an online accessible questionnaire that consisted of the World Health Organization (WHO)QOL-BREF and additional self-designed questions. Guide dog ownership was not associated with a better QOL. However, yearly medical cost expenditures were descriptively lower in guide dog owners, who were also more likely to believe that guide dogs can increase their independency and exert positive effects on health. Moreover, guide dog owners more likely considered a guide dog as a family member than non-guide dog owners. Although within the framework of this study, owning a guide dog was not significantly associated with increased QOL, some differences between the groups regarding health beliefs, attitude towards the dog, and relationship with the dog were identified. Accounting for the emerging prevalence of visual impairment, further research into this topic is warranted.
... Whilst acknowledging that studies on the interaction between humans and companion animals are limited, what has emerged from the studies is a general support for the notion that owning a companion animal has positive influences on the physical, psychological, and social well-being of human beings [9]. Physically, ownership of companion animals has been associated with higher survival rates from cardiovascular diseases [10,11], lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels [12,13], fewer reports of minor health problems such as headaches, colds, and dizziness [14], and fewer doctors' consultation sessions [15]. In the long term, animal companionship has the propensity to reduce the community's healthcare costs [14,16]. ...
... Physically, ownership of companion animals has been associated with higher survival rates from cardiovascular diseases [10,11], lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels [12,13], fewer reports of minor health problems such as headaches, colds, and dizziness [14], and fewer doctors' consultation sessions [15]. In the long term, animal companionship has the propensity to reduce the community's healthcare costs [14,16]. Psychosocially, ownership of companion animals is associated with a higher level of self-esteem and the development of autonomy in children. ...
... Examinations on the relationships between companion animal ownership and human well-being have been mainly conducted in countries such as Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and the United States [14,15,21,24,[40][41][42][43], where companion animal ownership is more common, finding that attitudes towards animals are generally positive and there is a more fluid spatial boundary between human and non-human animals [44,45]. Hong Kong provides a unique context in the study of HAI, especially as it is anticipated that globally more people will live in cities, especially mega-cities, in the coming decades. ...
Global urbanization has given cause for a re-assessment of the nature and importance of the relationship between humans and domesticated animals. In densely-populated urban societies, where loneliness and alienation can be prevalent, the use of animals as human companions has taken on heightened importance. Hong Kong is the world’s most urbanised political entity, and thus provides an ideal context for the exploration of the role of animals in the provision of companionship for human beings in cities. A web-based survey with descriptive analyses, regression, and ANOVA was conducted. Six-hundred-and-forty-seven companion animal owners and 312 non-owners completed the survey that examined their socio-demographic information, companion animal ownership status, and physical-psychosocial well-being. The statistically significant findings appear to suggest that socio-demographic variables (i.e., age, gender, housing, and education level) have stronger predictive values than companion animal ownership status with respect to the well-being of people in Hong Kong. Due the unique environmental features in Hong Kong, the positive impacts of companion animal ownership on the physical well-being of owners may be limited by the city’s cramped living space and the limited number of people who own companion animals. However, results suggested that companion animals may still serve as a social lubricant between the owners and their significant others, thereby playing a heightened role significant role in enhancing general social connectedness in a metropolis. Given the importance of animals as human companions, it is suggested that relevant administrative agencies need to consider the development of policies and facilities which are conducive to both the maintenance and development of the bonds between humans and their companion animals and the physical and psychosocial health of both.
... In fact, some recent studies have shown no difference in the frequency of pet owners and non-pet owners who rate themselves as very happy (Herzog, 2010) and no differences in blood pressure between owners and non-owners (Wright, Kritz-Silverstein, Morton, Wingard, & Barrett-Connor, 2007). In contrast to prior work demonstrating better health in pet owners (Headey, 1999), dog ownership in older adults is associated with poorer physical health and depression (Parslow, Jorm, Christensen, & Rodgers, 2005). Overall, the evidence supporting the benefits of pet ownership and animal interaction on human health and well-being is still mixed (Herzog, 2011). ...
... Caution must be taken in interpreting our results since the benefits seen in the canine interaction group may have been due to them taking a break while they played with the dogs rather than something about the interaction itself. However, despite this possible alternative explanation our results are consistent with prior work demonstrating the beneficial effect of having a dog at home (Allen et al., 2002;Headey, 1999;Siegel, 1990) and of reduced self-reported stress in college students (Barker et al., 2016;Crossman et al., 2015). Importantly, the current results did not provide any evidence for changes on either of the cognitive measures. ...
The interaction between humans and canines has been linked to a variety of benefits including reductions in ADHD symptoms in children, depression symptoms in nursing home patients, and PTSD symptoms in veterans returning from war. Although the inclusion of therapy dogs on college campuses has increased over the last few years, little evidence exists demonstrating the effect of canine interaction in these settings. The current study examined the effects of college student’s interactions with therapy dogs during an exam period. Fifty-six students interacted with therapy dogs before or after completing measures of sustained attention, mind wandering, perceived stress, cognitive test anxiety, and state anxiety. Interacting with the therapy dogs reduced state anxiety and resulted in lower perceived stress but did not alter sustained attention task performance or mind wandering. The results suggest that interaction with therapy dogs may help reduce perception of stress and anxiety but may not alter the cognitive functions measured in the current study. Due to the levels of stress that college students experience during exam periods, on-campus therapy dog programs may provide a low, cost effective intervention that universities could implement to benefit their students.
... Even when adjusted for age and physical activity, people who walk their dog have less diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia than those who do not have a dog or who have a dog but do not walk it (Lentino, et al., 2012). According to other studies, individuals with companion animals visit the physician less often (Aiyama, et al., 1986;Headey, 1998;Siegel, 1990), use less medication (Aiyama, et al., 1986;Headey, 1998;McHarg, et al., 1995), and have better overall physical health (Anderson, 1992;Putney, 2013;Siegel, 1990). These health benefits are apparently dose-related. ...
... Even when adjusted for age and physical activity, people who walk their dog have less diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia than those who do not have a dog or who have a dog but do not walk it (Lentino, et al., 2012). According to other studies, individuals with companion animals visit the physician less often (Aiyama, et al., 1986;Headey, 1998;Siegel, 1990), use less medication (Aiyama, et al., 1986;Headey, 1998;McHarg, et al., 1995), and have better overall physical health (Anderson, 1992;Putney, 2013;Siegel, 1990). These health benefits are apparently dose-related. ...
Full text available from: https://www.research.va.gov/REPORT-Study-of-Costs-and-Benefits-Associated-with-the-Use-of-Service-Dogs-Monograph1.pdf
Objectives. Determine whether overall disability and quality of life of Veteran participants in treatment for PTSD are improved by the provision of service dogs relative to provision of emotional support dogs.
Design. Multicenter parallel, two-arm, randomized clinical trial with Veteran participants diagnosed with PTSD assigned 1:1 to either a service dog or an emotional support dog. Randomization was conducted centrally by the study coordinating center using the computer-generated Interactive Touch Tone Randomization System (ITTRS).
Setting. Three VA medical centers: Atlanta VA Medical Center (Atlanta, GA) Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System (Iowa City, IA), and VA Portland Health Care System (Portland, OR).
Participants. 227 Veteran participants were randomized and fulfilled study requirements, of which 181 were paired with a study dog.
Intervention. After randomization to either the service dog intervention or emotional support dog intervention, an observation period of at least three months duration began; during this period both the study team and the participants were blinded to the type of dog to which the participant had been randomized. Dog type assignment disclosure to the participant and the study team occurred upon completion of the observation period. Participants were paired with either service dogs or emotional support dogs per assignment and followed for 18 months.
Main outcome measures. Overall disability (WHO-DAS 2.0) and quality of life (VR-12). Secondary outcomes included PTSD symptoms (PCL-5), suicidal ideation (C-SSRS), depression (PHQ-9), sleep (PSQI) and anger (DAR).
Results. 227 participants were randomized to either the service dog intervention (n=114) or emotional support dog (n=113) intervention. 46 participants terminated prior to pairing; (n=17) participants assigned to the service dog intervention versus (n=29) participants assigned to the emotional support dog intervention. 97 participants were paired with a service dog; 84 participants were paired with an emotional support dog. 9 participants paired with a service dog terminated after pairing; 19 participants paired with an emotional support dog terminated after pairing. Participants paired with a dog were on average 50.6 years old (SD=13.6; range 22-79), mostly male (80.1%), white (66.3%), and non-Hispanic (91.2%). After adjusting for baseline score, center, and gender, the linear mixed repeated measures (LMRM) model for WHO-DAS 2.0 (disability) showed no statistical difference between the two intervention groups nor did the mixed models for quality of life (VR-12) show statistical differences between the two groups for either PCS (physical health) or MCS (mental health). Of the secondary outcome measures, only PCL-5 (PTSD symptoms) using the adjusted LRMR model showed a statistically significant difference between intervention groups. Participants receiving the service dog intervention had a 3.7-point improvement (lower score=less symptoms of PTSD) in the PCL-5 total score over time as compared to the emotional dog intervention. Contrasts testing for a difference in the service dog group versus the emotional support dog group for suicidal ideation and behavior (per C-SSRS) did not show a significant difference between groups across time, however, it did show a difference between groups at 18 months with the service dog group having fewer suicidal behaviors and ideation. In both groups, WHO-DAS 2.0 scores at 18 months decreased (less disability) from scores at 3 months post pairing; improvement in VR-12 MCS also showed some improvement over time in both groups. Descriptive statistics for sleep and anger also showed a decline in scores (improvement) over time in both groups. Serious Adverse Events (SAE) and adverse events (AE) were compared across groups. None of the SAEs in either group were dog related. All AEs occurred in the emotional support dog group.
Conclusions. While both groups appeared to have experienced some benefit, an improvement in overall disability and quality of life among Veteran participants with PTSD was not observed with the provision of a service dog relative to provision of an emotional support dog. Among secondary outcome measures, participants paired with a service dog experienced a reduction in the severity of PTSD symptoms (PCL-5) compared to participants paired with an emotional support dog, and had fewer suicidal behaviors and ideations, particularly at 18 months post- pairing.
... Research findings suggest that pets, such as dogs, do have a positive influence on their owners' well-being and health (Headey et al. 2008), since it is indicated that dog and cat owners need fewer doctoral visits and report less heart issues and sleeping disorders (Headey 1999). However, there is no clear indication whether the pet effect on humans is positive or negative, or whether there is any effect at all (Herzog 2011), since research has shown conflicting findings (Fraser et al. 2020). ...
... Third, on a societal level, our model informs social policy makers, since pet companionship might lower the chances of people suffering from psychological illnesses, due to decreased psychological distress, thereby decreasing the costs of treatment and the health care system as a whole. Even a small increase in pet-related health improvements can result in large savings within the health care system (Headey 1999), due to healthy humans needing fewer doctoral appointments, which saves costs for the health care system and society as a whole. ...
The social distancing required during Covid-19 times tended to make people feel lonelier than usual. Those with pets might, however, have experienced this less, because pets are known for fostering their owners’ subjective well-being. Building on a recently published structural equation model, our study enhances the understanding of subjective well-being by including the construct social distancing during Covid-19 times. In order to answer our research question— How does human-pet relationship need support influence subjective well-being by considering social isolation during Covid-19 times? —we build on the basic needs theory, assuming that humans as well as their pets have an inherent need of autonomy, relatedness, and competence. Using a multivariate data analysis method, namely partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), we establish a path model and examine the relationship between human-pet relationship need support and subjective well-being by including psychological distress and social isolation during Covid-19 times as mediators. We operationalize subjective well-being as a three-dimensional construct consisting of positive affect, happiness, and life satisfaction. In a sample of 215 pet owners in the USA, supporting their need increases subjective well-being, and decreases the psychological distress and loneliness caused by social isolation during Covid-19 times. Furthermore, psychological distress decreases subjective well-being, whereas perceived loneliness during Covid-19 times does not. Our main contributions are to not only enhance our knowledge on the importance of human-pet relationships in critical times, but also to provide policy makers with insights into what influences people’s subjective well-being, which is closely related to their psychological health.
... The few cross-sectional correlate studies in the field have produced inconsistent findings [30]. For example, a survey of 1101 individuals residing in Perth, Australia suggested that dog owners are less lonely than non-owners [36], but other research found pet owners and non-owners do not differ in measures of loneliness [37] or psychological distress [37,38]. ...
... The paucity of evidence and the conflicting results are partly attributable to a plethora of methodological challenges that are common in the field of human-animal interaction research [30]. The above cross-sectional studies [36][37][38] are limited as they compare existing dog or pet owners to non-owners and cannot rule-out reverse causation, i.e. the possibility that individuals who are interested in dog ownership experience better health prior to acquiring a dog [39]. Randomised controlled trials, in which human participants are randomly allocated to dog ownership, are not feasible in this field [40,41]. ...
Background:
Dog ownership is suggested to improve mental well-being, although empirical evidence among community dog owners is limited. This study examined changes in human mental well-being following dog acquisition, including four measures: loneliness, positive and negative affect, and psychological distress.
Methods:
We conducted an eight-month controlled study involving three groups (n = 71): 17 acquired a dog within 1 month of baseline (dog acquisition); 29 delayed dog acquisition until study completion (lagged control); and 25 had no intentions of acquiring a dog (community control). All participants completed the UCLA Loneliness Scale (possible scores 0-60), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and Kessler10 at baseline, three-months and eight-months. We used repeated measures ANCOVAs to analyse data with owner age and sex included as covariates. Post-hoc tests were performed for significant effects (p < 0.05).
Results:
There was a statistically significant group by time interaction for loneliness (p = 0.03), with an estimated reduction of 8.41 units (95% CI -16.57, - 0.26) from baseline to three-months and 7.12 (95% CI -12.55, - 1.69) from baseline to eight-months in the dog acquisition group. The group by time interaction for positive affect was also significant (p = 0.03), although there was no change in the dog acquisition group.
Conclusions:
Companion dog acquisition may reduce loneliness among community dog owners. Our study provides useful direction for future larger trials on the effects of dog ownership on human mental well-being.
Trial registration:
This trial was retrospectively registered on 5th July 2017 with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ( ACTRN12617000967381 ).
... Early research established that companion animals could influence a person's physical health. People who have a companion animal visit the doctors less frequently (Headey, 1998) and show a significant reduction in minor ailments such as headaches, dizziness, hay fever and colds (Serpell, 1991). In a landmark study, it was found that companion animals could increase the survival rate in people with coronary heart disease (Friedmann, Katcher, Lynch, & Thomas, 1980). ...
... Steve also stated: "you know how people get home sick, well I get dog sick when I am away." Consistent with previous research (Headey, 1998;Jessen, Cardiello, & Baun, 1996;Mahalski, Jones, & Maxwell, 1988;Zasloff, & Kidd, 1994), this highlights that animal companionship has the capacity to reduce feelings of loneliness and enhance feelings of connection and support, like one veteran said: "it's like having a full on friend." While this supports previous research, veterans' are a unique cohort. ...
Many Vietnam veterans continue to experience poor mental health and a range of complex, psychosocial difficulties decades after their military service. This qualitative study examined the experience of companion animal ownership for twelve male Vietnam veterans using a phenomenological framework. The men in this study were in the developmental stage of older adulthood and mostly owned dogs as companion animals. In-depth interviews were analysed using thematic content analysis and three main themes emerged. These were: Psychosocial functioning, the human-animal bond and the benefits of the human-animal bond. While these findings are typical of other human-animal research, the companion animal characteristics that facilitated a strong attachment, and therefore beneficial relationship seemed strongly influenced by the men’s military background. This has implications for progressing current knowledge around the effect companion animals can potentially have on an individual’s mental health, as well as clinical relevance for psychology.
... Pets have been shown to offer unconditional and nonjudgmental love (Anderson et al., 1992), provide support during stressful times (Allen et al., 1991(Allen et al., , 2001Friedmann, 2013;Wheeler and Faulkner, 2015), decrease isolation and loneliness (Duncan, 1995;Allen et al., 2001;Brown et al., 2016;McConnell et al., 2017;Maugeri et al., 2019), increase well-being (Bao and Schreer, 2016;Brooks et al., 2018;McConnell et al., 2019;Hajek and König, 2020;Gee et al., 2021;McDonald et al., 2021a;Trigg, 2021), and provide a buffer against situational stressors (Young et al., 2020;Applebaum et al., 2021;Bussolari et al., 2021;Currin-McCulloch et al., 2021;Kogan et al., 2021a;McDonald et al., 2021b). In addition, numerous studies have found pet ownership associated with better overall physical health (Anderson et al., 1992;Dembicki and Anderson, 1996;Headey, 1999;Raina et al., 1999;Bauman et al., 2001), thereby acting as a protective human health factor (National Institute of Health, 2018). ...
Research suggests that the emotional bond shared with a pet can be particularly significant for those with declining physical health, yet little is known about breast cancer survivors’ experiences with pet ownership. The purpose of this study was to explore breast cancer survivors’ pet-related experiences including the benefits, challenges, and unmet needs. Adults (ages 18 and older), diagnosed with stages 0 ( in situ )-IV breast cancer and currently the primary owner of at least one dog or cat for at least 6 months were recruited through cancer treatment and support organizations and pet and breast cancer social media outlets. An online, anonymous, cross-sectional, mixed method survey was developed that included seven open-ended prompts to explore the stressors and benefits breast cancer survivors encountered in caring for a pet during cancer treatment and survivorship, as well as their advice for medical providers and other breast cancer survivors. Breast cancer survivors ( n = 221) responded to the online survey between July and November 2022. Researchers used the thematic analysis method to analyze salient themes in the data and descriptive statistics to summarize participants’ sociodemographic variables. The seven open-ended prompts resulted in four key themes: my furry reason to keep fighting; seeking quality care resources; my pets are my family; and someone special is waiting for you . Findings from this study suggest practical ways that medical and mental health providers and communities can enhance the well-being of survivors and support the invaluable relationships with their pets.
... Not only does the presence of companion animals decrease cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and stress they also promote a better immune system (Friedmann, Barker, & Allen 2011;Headey, 1999;Walsh, 2009a;Wild, 2012). The presence of companion animals is associated with increased production of specific neuro-chemicals in humans that are associated with relaxation. ...
and is conducted within a nine-month time frame to demonstrate facility with basic social research methods. Students must independently conceptualize a research problem, formulate a research design that is approved by a research committee and the university Institutional Review Board, implement the project, and publicly present their findings. This project is neither a Master's thesis nor a dissertation. Abstract Animal-assisted therapy has frequently been used with children who have autism spectrum disorder. This study examined animal-assisted therapists' perceptions of effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy with children who have DSM-IV mental health diagnoses. The researcher recruited self-identified animal-assisted therapists using social media sites LinkedIn and Facebook. Two therapists completed the fourteen question qualitative survey in full. Three themes were found in this study; comfort, confidence, and benefits. While this study produced definite themes, more research needs to be conducted on animal-assisted therapy and children with DSM-IV mental health disorders.
... Other investigations have observed a reduction in symptoms associated with depression and stress (e.g., Allen et al., 2002;Cline, 2010;Miller et al., 2009), greater well-being and better self-esteem (McConnell et al., 2011). Headey (1999) found that dog and cat owners went to the doctor less often and were less likely to take sleeping medication than people without animals. Headey et al. (2008) reported that dog owners exercised more often, slept better, went to the doctor less often and took less time off work than people without dogs. ...
Several studies have shown the positive effects of the presence of animals on humans at work, especially pets. It is increasingly common to find workplaces all over the world that provide this benefit, allowing employees to work with their pet beside them. These workplaces are called “pet friendly.” These practices, in addition to the direct effects on employees, affect the company’s image, showing positive effects in reducing absenteeism and increasing productivity. It is also expected that they impact the company’s perception of social responsibility, and that this influences the attitudes of its employees. In view of this growing reality and its possible impact with regard to organizational behavior, this study aims to observe the effect that the presence of pets in the workplace has on the perception of the social responsibility of organizations and on the organizational commitment (OC) of employees. To this end, 177 participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions according to a unifactorial design. All participants received a descriptive scenario of practices adopted by an organization to improve employee performance and business success. The scenario varied according to the inclusion of animals versus noninclusion. The results show the positive effect of the presence of animals both in the perception of social responsibility and in employees’ OC.
This study leads us to conclude that animals are important in people’s lives and as such have a positive impact on organizational life.
... Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of pets [38][39][40]. Pet owners, compared with non-owners, are more physically fit [41][42][43][44], have lower levels of depression [45], higher social functioning [46] and enhanced social support [44,45,[47][48][49]]. ...
Companion dogs are increasingly popular, 38.4% of households in the United States include at least one dog. There are numerous benefits to sharing one’s home with a dog, but because they age more rapidly than people and have shorter lifespans, acquiring a dog often includes caring for it during its senior years. Caring for an elderly dog can be physically and emotionally challenging, yet the impact on guardians’ lives when caring for an aging dog has received minimal scientific attention. This study was designed to better understand dog guardians’ experiences and perceptions related to caring for their aging dog. Utilizing an exploratory mixed methods design, this study asked dog guardians to complete an online anonymous survey. From a total of 284 participants, we found that the impact on guardians when caring for an aging dog appears to share many similarities with caregivers of human family members. Our quantitative and qualitative results suggest that, for many guardians, caring for an aging dog is a complex dynamic with both positive and negative factors that offers an opportunity to deepen the human-animal bond and create positive, rewarding experiences and memories.
... In addition, Levine et al. (2013) documented lower total cholesterol levels and significantly lower triglyceride levels among pet owners than individuals without pets due to these higher levels of active mobility. Furthermore, medication use for heart diseases or sleeping difficulties and numbers of doctor visits appear to be significantly lower among older pet owners than older adults without a pet (Headey 1999). Interactions with pets may reduce blood pressure as touching pets can have a calming effect (Allen 2002;Friedmann et al. 1980). ...
While interactions with pets may yield significant emotional, social, and physical benefits, taking care of them can also be demanding and experienced as a burden, especially among persons with physical restrictions or economically disadvantaged individuals. This study investigates pet ownership and corresponding perceptions and experiences in a nationally representative sample of adults aged 55 years and older in Switzerland. We use data from a questionnaire on human-animal interactions from 1832 respondents administered during wave 7 (2017) in the Swiss country study of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe. Multivariable associations between pet ownership and pet owners’ corresponding perceptions and experiences with respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics were estimated using probit and ordered probit models. Slightly more than one-third of adults aged 55 years and older reported owning a pet. Pet owners reported mostly positive experiences with pet ownership, with women showing higher pet bonding levels than men. Moreover, pet ownership was less common among adults aged 75 and older and individuals living in apartments. At the same time, older pet owners aged 75 and above, pet owners living in apartments, and pet owners without a partner reported more positive perceptions and experiences of owning a pet. These findings suggest that promoting pet ownership may help individual well-being and feelings of companionship, especially among women, older adults, and individuals without a partner but also points toward potential selection effects into pet ownership. Financial costs of pet ownership appear to be an important challenge for some older pet owners, notably those with relatively low levels of education and more limited financial resources.
... Whilst not entirely conclusive (e.g., Fritz et al., 1995;Miller & Lago, 1990;Siegel et al., 1999;Tower & Nokota, 2006), various studies point to the value of companion animals in improving people's physical and mental welfare. For example, studies have reported a relationship between companion animal "ownership" (a term used hereafter to refer to a person who lives with and/or cares for an animal) and fewer visits to the GP (Headey, 1998), a reduced risk of developing, and greater ability to recover from, heart problems (see Levine et al., 2013), and, if exposed to animals at an early age, a lower occurrence of allergic illness, including rhinitis, eczema, and/or asthma (e.g., Fall et al., 2015;Hesselmar et al., 1999). From a more psychological perspective, companion animal ownership has been associated with decreased loneliness, depression, and improved self-esteem and feelings of self-worth (e.g., Guest et al., 2006;Ko et al., 2016). ...
Companion animal ownership has been associated with a wide variety of physical and psychological health benefits. The extent to which a person gains any welfare advantages from the animal in their care, however, may be related to a wide variety of factors, one of which is the quality of the human–animal relationship. Thus far, little attention has been devoted to the role of attachment to one's companion animal on psychological wellbeing during a global pandemic, a time when mental health has been shown to be extremely poor. Therefore this study aimed to explore the relationship between the quality of the companion animal–human bond and mental wellbeing during a period of COVID-19-induced national lockdown in the United Kingdom. A purpose-designed online survey that aimed to measure sociodemographic background, companion animal ownership status, attachment level, and various components of mental wellbeing (depression, loneliness, positive experience, stress) was developed and completed by 249 UK-based adults (146 companion animal owners, 103 non-owners). Analysis revealed no significant relationship between companion animal ownership and any of the mental health outcome measures. Attachment to one's companion animal, however, was found to be a strong predictor of mental wellbeing, with higher bonds of attachment associated with higher levels of depression, loneliness, and lower levels of positive experience. Attachment to one's companion animal was not significantly associated with participants’ stress levels. Overall, findings from this study point to emotional vulnerability in people who are highly attached to their companion animal, although limitations must be borne in mind. This is an area worthy of further exploration, particularly considering the pandemic-induced rise in the number of people who have acquired a companion animal and the increment in mental health problems that has been predicted to emerge from COVID-19.
... In the USA, 67% of households have at least one pet, including 63.4 and 42.6 million households with at least one dog and one cat, respectively [6]. It is believed that pet ownership, the most common form of human-animal interaction, bestows positive benefits related to health outcomes, wellbeing, and quality of life onto pet owners [7,8]. It has been anecdotally claimed that pets stimulate physical activity (i.e., dogs) and better psychological wellbeing, and influence dietary habits in their owners. ...
Pet ownership, the most common human–animal interaction, is believed to bestow positive health benefits onto pet owners. However, there is limited research on substantiating these assertions. The aim of this review was to systematically identify, evaluate, and summarize primary research on the relationship between cat and/or dog ownership and cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes (T2D), and obesity to inform future research on pet ownership and chronic disease. How pet ownership was defined/measured, and identification of the chronic disease variables and health behaviors most often measured were emphasized. Two researchers independently searched PubMed and Web of Science, where One Health literature are mostly likely to be indexed, for peer-reviewed literature on pet ownership and CVD, T2D, and obesity. A review of 4541 titles and abstracts for relevance resulted in 34 manuscripts eligible for full-text review. Two researchers assessed each eligible manuscript and extracted data only from those that met the inclusion criteria (n = 14). Ten studies on CVD, four studies on obesity, and zero studies on T2D met the study criteria. The CVD and obesity variables varied and were not well described. The relationship between pet ownership and CVD and obesity varied (positive, negative, mixed effects, and no effect). Generalizability lacked across all studies: most studies were with Non-Hispanic White populations. Other areas of weakness were quality of study outcomes and instrument validity. Operationalization of pet ownership varied (from no verification to confirmed pet registration). Integration of the evidence-based influence of the human–animal connection through pet ownership on CVD and obesity may make prevention, mitigation, and treatment strategies more robust.
... • Physiological perspectives -companion animals help decrease cholesterol levels, increase oxytocin, reduce stress and boost the immune system (Headey, 1999;Odendaal & Meintjes, 2003;Walsh, 2009 Theoretical Background for human-animal interactions ...
The article provides an overview of animal-assisted interventions specifically for children with disabilities. The difference between various forms of animal-assisted interventions is enumerated with the theoretical understanding of human-animal interactions and their derived benefits. The paper also provides a glimpse of how animal-assisted interventions serve children with disabilities in several ways and domains. A brief outline of the status of animal-assisted intervention in India is guided through historical representations of animals in Indian culture and the development of the field since its inception. The paper concludes with the resources important for the progress of animal-assisted therapy including organizations working in the field, credentials and training required for the practice, ethics of conducting and implementing interventions. The paper is significant in terms of offering insights into animal-assisted interventions for health and rehabilitation professionals and adopting the alternative framework for supporting children with special needs in India.
... . Bu olumlu etkilerin yanı sıra evcil hayvanlar, yalnızlığı hafifletme, stres, kaygı ve depresyonu azaltma, sosyal etkileşimi, egzersiz ve eğlenceyi teşvik etme, koşulsuz sevgi ve şefkat sağlamaktadırlar ( Jessen ve ark. 1996, Headey 1999, Morrison 2007. ...
Bu çalışmanın amacı, 2000-2019 yılları arasında otizm spektrum bozukluğu olan çocuklara hayvan destekli müdahaleler aracılığıyla sunulan uygulamaların etkisini tek- denekli araştırma modelleriyle sınayan çalışmaları demografik, yöntemsel ve bulgu değişkenleri açısından incelemektir. Bu bağlamda yapılan alanyazın taramasında dâhil etme ve hâriç tutma kriterlerini karşılayan 11 makale incelemeye alınmış ve betimsel olarak analiz edilmiştir. Analiz sonucunda, bir çalışma dışında tüm çalışmalarda kullanılan hayvan destekli müdahalenin otizm spektrum bozukluğu olan katılımcıların hedef becerilerinde olumlu etki yarattığı ve gelişim sağladığı tespit edilmiştir. Ancak, araştırmaların çoğunun AB ve ABA modeli gibi en temel ve deneysel kontrol açısından zayıf olarak nitelendirilen tek- denekli araştırma modelleri ile desenlendiği ve bazı araştırmaların yinelenebilir özellikte raporlanmadığı belirlenmiştir. Bu doğrultuda hayvan destekli müdahalelerin etkilerini sınayan, katılımcı özellikleri, başlama düzeyi ve uygulama evrelerinin daha ayrıntılı ve açık bir biçimde rapor edildiği yinelenebilir özellikte daha fazla sayıda araştırmaya gereksinim olduğu düşünülmektedir.
... Age seems to modify the association between dog ownership and myocardial infarction, with a stronger risk reduction in older age groups compared with younger age groups of dog owners (Mubanga et al., 2017), albeit results are sometimes contradictory (Parslow et al., 2005;Mueller et al., 2018). In several surveys with large and representative samples, dog and cat owners reported fewer visits to health-care providers and took less medication for sleeping problems than non-pet owners (Headey, 1999). Dog owners slept better, exercised more frequently, and took fewer days off from work than comparable non-dog owners (Headey et al., 2008). ...
The second edition of this book contains 32 chapters divided into 4 main sections that discuss the theoretical foundations of One Health; methods, skills and perspectives for the practice of One Health; the application of One Health in infectious and non-infectious diseases and governance and capacity building, all of which are related to the global issues of the prevention and control of animal, plant and human diseases in the wake of drug resistance by pathogens, biodiversity loss, natural disasters, climate change and the recent COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic.
... Addressing the issue of pet retention is important due to the positive role pets play in communities [11,12]. Numerous studies have shown that companion animals can contribute to both human physical [13][14][15][16][17] and psychosocial health [18][19][20][21][22]. On a larger scale, companion animals can help enhance community cohesion and social capital by facilitating social interaction, friendships, support networks, and civic engagement [23,24], and pet ownership has been shown to positively contribute to local economies [25][26][27]. Research by the American Humane Association (AHA) identified pet homelessness as a complex issue that is impacted by overpopulation of unhoused pets as well as inadequate and misdirected resources to care for companion animals in communities [4]. ...
Although the adoption rate of dogs and cats from animal shelters has increased, a proportion of animals are returned to the shelter after they are adopted. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors informing the return of 102 dogs to an animal shelter over a four-month period, and the return of 72 cats to an animal shelter over a three-month period. Descriptive statistics revealed dogs are most commonly returned for behavior issues related to aggression (38.2%), and cats are most commonly returned due to the adopter's personal reasons (56.9%). The results also indicated that more than half of the dogs (51.0%) and cats (57.0%) returned in this study were owned for more than 60 days. Further research is needed to compare the effectiveness of different pet retention programs in addressing the factors that inform returned adoptions.
... For example, studies frequently draw on small convenience samples or are limited to subgroups, such as older adults (Parslow et al., 2005;Stanley et al., 2014) and groups diagnosed with illnesses such as cancer (Johnson, Meadows, Haubner, & Sevedge, 2008;Muschel, 1984) or HIV/AIDS (Siegel et al., 1999), thereby limiting generalizability to the wider population. However, it is worth noting that nationally representative studies tend to find no reliable evidence for the pet effect (Gillum & Obisesan, 2010) or for the inference that pet owners are worse off than non-owners (Headey, 1999;Headey & Grabka, 2007;Koivusilta & Ojanlatva, 2006;Müllersdorf et al., 2010;Stallones et al., 1990). ...
Although the relationship between pet ownership and health and wellbeing has received considerable attention in popular media, research on the topic shows inconsistent findings. We addressed the methodological weaknesses of previous studies by using data from a national probability survey (the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study; n = 13,347). We describe the demographic characteristics and personality of pet owners in New Zealand, examine whether pet owners cluster together by pet types, and test whether pet ownership and pet type are associated with health and wellbeing measures. The majority of participants (61.6%) reported having a pet, and we identified six clusters of ownership by pet type. Pet owners were more likely than non-owners to be younger, women, European, parents, partnered, employed, living rurally, and living in less deprived areas. Pet owners were less likely than non-owners to be of Asian ethnicity and religious and had lower mean levels of education. We found no evidence of reliable differences between pet owners and non-owners in the personality characteristics of extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, or honesty-humility. However, pet owners scored higher than non-owners in openness and lower in conscientiousness. We found no reliable differences between pet owners and non-owners in selfesteem, life satisfaction, psychological distress, physical health diagnoses, or self-reported health. However, compared with non-owners, pet owners were more likely to report diagnoses of depression and anxiety. Although the relationship between pet ownership and depression diagnoses held across the six clusters of pet ownership, results indicated that the higher rates of anxiety were most commonly associated with cat ownership. Future longitudinal research is needed to establish whether pets decrease owners’ health and wellbeing or rather that people in need of comfort tend to seek pets.
... Pets can therefore play an important role in reducing absenteeism and visits to family doctors or the hospital [28]. It has been estimated that pet ownership saved Australia $1 billion in 1994 [29], while it may reduce the use of the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK to the value of £2.45 billion per year [30]. ...
Over time the human-animal bond has been changed. For instance, the role of pets has changed from work animals (protecting houses, catching mice) to animals with a social function, giving companionship. Pets can be important for the physical and mental health of their owners but may also transmit zoonotic infections. The One Health initiative is a worldwide strategy for expanding collaborations in all aspects of health care for humans, animals, and the environment. However, in One Health communications the role of particularly dogs and cats is often underestimated.
Objective:
Evaluation of positive and negative One Health issues of the human-companion animal relationship with a focus on zoonotic aspects of cats and dogs in industrialized countries.
Method:
Literature review.
Results:
Pets undoubtedly have a positive effect on human health, while owners are increasing aware of pet's health and welfare. The changing attitude of humans with regard to pets and their environment can also lead to negative effects such as changes in feeding practices, extreme breeding, and behavioral problems, and anthropozoonoses. For the human, there may be a higher risk of the transmission of zoonotic infections due to trends such as sleeping with pets, allowing pets to lick the face or wounds, bite accidents, keeping exotic animals, the importation of rescue dogs, and soil contact.
Conclusions:
One Health issues need frequently re-evaluated as the close human-animal relationship with pet animals can totally differ compared to decennia ago. Because of the changed human-companion animal bond, recommendations regarding responsible pet-ownership, including normal hygienic practices, responsible breeding, feeding, housing, and mental and physical challenges conforming the biology of the animal are required. Education can be performed by vets and physicians as part of the One Health concept.
... Keeping a pet has been associated with health-promoting effects, such as reduced risk of asthma [2] and allergies [3] among children. The frequency of annual doctor visits and medication administration is also reduced among pet owners, resulting in lower medical expenses [4]. Owning a dog is also associated with a 24% reduction in all-cause mortality [5], and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease [6]. ...
Obesity is a major risk factor for lifestyle-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. Several studies have investigated the association between pet ownership and obesity, but the findings have been inconsistent. This systematic literature review and meta-analysis assessed the association between pet ownership and obesity. Using PubMed and Scopus, we overviewed the literature published until December 2019 and selected pertinent data for meta-analysis. Two independent reviewers extracted the data. Pooled relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for obesity were calculated using the random-effects model with inverse-variance weighting. The 21 included articles were cross-sectional studies. Five publications (nine analyses) that reported adjusted RRs for BMI ≥ 25 were included in the meta-analysis. No significant association existed between pet ownership and obesity (pooled RR = 1.038; 95% CI, 0.922–1.167; I2 = 51.8%). After stratification by age group (children vs. adults), no significant association was detected (pooled RR = 0.844; 95% CI, 0.604–1.179; I2 = 64.1% vs. pooled RR = 1.099; 95% CI, 0.997–1.212; I2 = 25.2%). Similarly, no significant association was observed between dog ownership and obesity, indicating no association between pet ownership and obesity. However, no infer causation can be reported because all studies included in this meta-analysis were cross-sectional. Therefore, further prospective studies are needed.
... In another study involving a large sample of older adults (baseline n = 1054; follow-up n = 995), Raina et al. (1999) found that the ability to complete activities of daily living decreased more in 1 year for people who did not live with companion animals than for people who did. confirmed in a study with 10,960 adult individuals what was previously reported in cross-sectional studies (e.g., Headey 1999). They concluded that people who continuously lived with a companion animal were the healthiest group (as evidenced by fewer annual doctor visits). ...
This book provides an up-to-date overview of the current knowledge and research concerning domestic pets as sentinels, forecasters and promoters of human health. Written by leading specialists in the fields of medicine, veterinary, environment, analytical chemistry, sociology and behavioral science, this volume provides a comprehensive understanding of the capabilities of pets in what regards to human health. The first seven chapters are devoted to the use of pets as sentinels for their human companions, in terms of exposure to different classes of environmental chemicals. The following five chapters address the use of pets as models for human diseases and promoters of human health. The final two chapters highlight the psycho-social and psychophysiological aspects of human-animal interactions.
The book offers an integrated approach to the One Health concept, providing, in a truly holistic manner, tools to assess the equilibrium between the environment, men and animals. This exercise will highlight and reshape our position towards the planet that despite being “a microscopic dot on a microscopic dot lost in the unimaginable infinity of the Universe” is still our own. At the end of the day, pets will always be there to help us.
... Additional studies suggest that pet owners enjoy better health than non-pet owners, including improved mood and interpersonal interactions, as well as a reduction in several stress-related parameters. [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] When theorizing why pets make such a difference for so many people, the application of attachment theory can be helpful. Attachment theory [31][32][33] is an empirically supported framework that can explain how close relationships positively contribute to emotional regulation, mental health, and psychological growth. ...
The stress of veterinary school and the high prevalence of psychological distress among veterinary students have been well documented. Pet ownership is known to improve overall health and reduce stress among the public. Yet, for veterinary students, owning a pet (especially a dog) can offer both rewards and challenges. The academic schedule for veterinary students often comprises long hours that can make caring for a dog challenging. This study explores the area of veterinary students' dog care options and perspectives by examining two aspects of this issue: (a) currently available options, as reported by academic administrators, and (b) perceived need for these options, as reported by veterinary students. A survey of associate deans for academic affairs (n = 30) found that routine on-site kenneling options for student-owned dogs are available at eight (26.6%) veterinary schools. Simultaneously, results of a student survey (n = 768) revealed a great desire for on-campus services. Among students who did not have access to on-campus kenneling facilities, 71.5% (453 of 634) felt that creating these options would be important or very important. Across all students surveyed, 76% (581 of 764) felt it would be important to have on-site dog housing/care available. Students experience considerable stress over having to find accommodations or care for their dogs while engaged in academic activities. Thus, providing on-site boarding and care options for student-owned dogs can play an important role in both recruiting prospective veterinary students and enhancing the well-being of those currently in the program.
... Pet ownership has consistently been shown to have positive physiological and psychological benefits to human health. The health savings due to pet ownership were estimated at $988 million for Australia for the 1994-95 financial year [7]. Unfortunately some of the most socially isolated people who would most benefit from a companion animal are also the most ill equipped to care for them. ...
... HAI is the mutual and dynamic relationship between people and animals, and the effects these interactions have on physical and psychological health and well-being of both people and their pets [1]. Potential benefits of pet ownership on the emotional and physical health of both adults [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] and children [11][12][13][14][15] have been observed. ...
Background:
In developed nations, pet ownership is common within families. Both physical and psychological health benefits may result from owning a pet during childhood and adolescence. However, it is difficult to determine whether these benefits are due to pet ownership directly or to factors linked to both pet ownership and health. Previous research found associations between a range of socio-demographic factors and pet ownership in seven-year-old children from a UK cohort. The current study extends this research to adolescence, considering that these factors may be important to consider in future Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) research across childhood.
Results:
The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) collected pet ownership data prospectively via maternal reports from gestation up to age 10 years old and via self-report retrospectively at age 18 for ages 11 (n = 3063) to 18 years old (n = 3098) on cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents, birds, fish, tortoise/turtles and horses. The dataset also contains a wide range of potential confounders, including demographic and socio-economic variables. The ownership of all pet types peaked at age 11 (80%) and then decreased during adolescence, with the exclusion of cats which remained constant (around 30%), and dogs which increased through 11-18 years (26-37%). Logistic regression was used to build multivariable models for ownership of each pet type at age 13 years, and the factors identified in these models were compared to previously published data for 7 year-olds in the same cohort. There was some consistency with predictors reported at age 7. Generally sex, birth order, maternal age, maternal education, number of people in the household, house type, and concurrent ownership of other pets were associated with pet ownership at both 7 and 13 years (the direction of association varied according to pet type). Factors that were no longer associated with adolescent pet ownership included child ethnicity, paternal education, and parental social class.
Conclusions:
A number of socio-demographic factors are associated with pet ownership in childhood and adolescence and they differ according to the type of pet, and age of child. These factors are potential confounders that must be considered in future HAI studies.
... These savings came in the form of companion animal owners having reduced annual doctors visits and reduced chances of being on a medication for either heart problems or sleeping difficulties compared to people that did not have a companion animal. 18 19 These figures suggest substantial savings to health expenditure. ...
... Pets can have a sociability function in families, meaning that they can facilitate human-to-human social interaction, and improve the socialization of children and adolescents (Covert et al. 1985;Davis and Juhasz 1985;Robin and Bensel 1985;Serpell 1999). Studies show that pets can be a source of emotional and social support to their owners, and that a strong sense of community can form through animal companions (Headey 1999;Meehan et al. 2017;Bulsara et al. 2007). Pets can also have a surrogate function in social interaction and serve as substitutes for friends, spouses or children (Veevers 1985). ...
This article explores voluntarily childless women’s experiences and understandings of human-animal interactions and their attitudes towards companion animals. It draws on interviews with 15 Swedish women who expressed a lack of “maternal” feelings and therefore had remained voluntarily childless, or childfree (used here as two interchangeable concepts). Instead, the women described how they perceived the attachment bonds to companion animals that they had developed as similar to, or even superior to, the attachments bonds between parents and their children. The article thus introduces the expressions “peternal”, and “peternal feelings”, to denote these women’s attachment bonds to companion animals (primarily cats and dogs). The results, however, also illustrate that few of the women actually took on the role as “pet parent”. Although they longed to develop attachment bonds with companion animals they were conflicted and experienced ambivalence, leading to decisions to develop avoidance strategies, resembling those involved in the childfree decision. Hence, many of them described themselves as both childfree and “petfree”.
... 43 The health benefits of pet ownership are estimated to save the healthcare system approximately US$2.25 billion per year. 44 Despite the intensity of interaction, there has been surprisingly little research into the transmission of AMR between pathogens of humans and their pets. A better understanding of antimicrobial use in companion animals is needed, since there is no regulatory guidance and pets fall outside the agriculture and health portfolios. ...
With rising population numbers, anthropogenic changes to our environment and unprecedented global connectivity, the World Economic Forum ranks the spread of infectious diseases second only to water crises in terms of potential global impact. Addressing the diverse challenges to human health and well-being in the 21st century requires an overarching focus on ‘Planetary Health’, with input from all sectors of government, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions and industry. To clarify and advance the Planetary Health agenda within Australia, specifically in relation to emerging infectious diseases (EID) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), national experts and key stakeholders were invited to a facilitated workshop. EID themes identified included animal reservoirs, targeted surveillance, mechanisms of emergence and the role of unrecognised human vectors (the ‘invisible man’) in the spread of infection. Themes related to AMR included antimicrobial use in production and companion animals, antimicrobial stewardship, novel treatment approaches and education of professionals, politicians and the general public. Effective infection control strategies are important in both EID and AMR. We provide an overview of key discussion points, as well as important barriers identified and solutions proposed.
Though many prospective dog guardians have an optimistic view of dog-human relationships , the realities can be challenging. This paper discusses carer-reported emotional impacts of dealing with more problematic relationships with dogs. This study used a Grounded Theory method to qualitatively analyze 35 discussion threads about dog behavior, from two UK-based online discussion forums between June-October 2019. The study found a close link between the carers' perceptions of their relationships with their dogs, and whether the dogs behaved in ways that the owners considered acceptable.
Pet ownership has often been lauded as a protective factor for well-being, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. We expanded this question to consider how pet (i.e., species, number) and owner (i.e., pet relationship quality, personality, attachment orientations) characteristics affected the association between pet ownership and well-being in a pre-registered mixed method analysis of 767 people assessed three times in May 2020. In our qualitative analyses, pet owners listed both benefits and costs of pet ownership during the COVID-19 pandemic. In our quantitative analyses, we found that pet ownership was not reliably associated with well-being. Furthermore, this association largely did not depend on the number of pets owned, the species of pet(s) owned, the quality of the human–pet relationship, or the owner’s psychological characteristics. Our findings are consistent with a large body of research showing null associations of pet ownership on well-being (quantitatively) but positive reports of pet ownership (qualitatively).
In diagnostic, therapeutic, and nursing contexts, touch is a prerequisite for successful treatment. Compared to other everyday touches, these touches represent exceptional situations in the lives of both patients and the professionals performing the touches.
Social touches can be distinguished from necessary touches that serve a medical or nursing purpose. These social touches, which often occur spontaneously, fulfill social or emotional functions and can have a calming, comforting, or stress-reducing effect. It is possible to use social touches specifically for these effects in medical and nursing contexts.
The chapter informs about emotional, social, and ethical aspects of touch, placebo effects through touch, embodiment effects, effects of pets and animal-assisted therapy, and the effects of loneliness and touch deprivation on health.
Companion animals are becoming a more familiar sight on college campuses, and they are often viewed as an essential element of wellness by students and institutions of higher education. While previous studies have investigated the behavioral and physiological impacts of bringing a pet to campus on the owners, impacts on the pets themselves have yet to be explored. Previous studies do suggest, however, that when dogs are left alone, they display more anxiety-related behaviors such as barking, destruction, lip-licking, body shaking, and higher levels of alertness. The present study investigated the difference in anxiety-related behaviors between on-campus dwelling dogs (n = 18) and off-campus dwelling dogs (n = 12) when exposed to a novel environment, and the physiological baseline of the dogs. Specifically, a saliva sample was collected from each dog before they were placed into a novel room for three minutes and their behavior was coded. Overall, there were no significant differences found between the two groups in either the anxiety-related behaviors observed or salivary cortisol levels. The implications of our findings for campus dogs will be discussed. KEYWORDS: Companion Animals; Dogs; Behavior; Cortisol; Higher Education; Dog Welfare; Service Animals; Animal-Assisted Interventions; Student Mental Health
There is a need for evidence-based interventions that can contribute to more positive treatment outcomes for substance use disorders. Animal-assisted therapy is a supplementary intervention in which certified animals are used in a structured and goal directed manner in the treatment of various health problems. This review aims to systematically investigate and evaluate the available literature and thus hopefully contribute to future research. The electronic searches were performed in the databases PsycInfo, Medline, and Web of Science. Searches of reference lists were also performed. As the research on this particular field is scarce, the inclusion criteria had to allow for a relatively great variation in methods, interventions, and populations. Still, only ten studies were included, of which three were quantitative, six were qualitative, and one was a mixed methods study. All of the included articles examined the effect of AAT in the treatment of substance use disorders. The populations investigated included both women and men aged 13 to 55 years undergoing treatment for substance use disorder. A segregated design was applied, where the quantitative results were pooled using narrative synthesis and the qualitative using metasummary, all of which were combined in a final configuration. Three of the quantitative studies found significant correlations, and the metasummary indicated several reoccurring themes across the qualitative studies. However, a general lack of systematic investigation and an excess of explorative research were identified, and the majority of the articles neglected to report information important for replication. More thorough and systematic investigations are needed. A tentative explanatory model, with a hypothesis generating aim, is presented, in which the qualitative findings function as moderators or mediators of the relationships indicated by the quantitative studies.
Current health care practices do not adequately meet the health needs of older adult war veterans. Increasingly, animal assisted interventions (AAIs) are being identified as potentially beneficial for this population. To explore this, this study, informed by a One Health framework, measured the outcomes of the St. John Ambulance ( SJA ) Therapy Dog Program on the wellbeing of older adults at a Veterans Affairs Canada residence in Saskatchewan, Canada. Over a 13 week period, two groups of veterans, of 8 and 10 in number respectively, who were living at the residence were purposively selected to participate in weekly individual and group therapy dog visits. The type of visit varied according to the level of cognition of the veteran, with lower level individuals visiting in a group format. A modified instrumental case study design was applied incorporating both quantitative and qualitative approaches, including questionnaires, focus groups, case history, and observation. Quantitative measures were analyzed descriptively, and qualitative measures were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed a positive influence of therapy dogs on memory recollection and reminiscence among veterans; positive health impacts on veteran wellbeing as understood through the significance of the therapy dog team encounter; and, perceived meaningful support from the therapy dog handlers and love and support from the therapy dogs. The analysis is contextualized within the growing literature on AAIs and contributes important insights to adequately meeting the needs of older adult war veterans, and potentially for the increasing population of recent war veterans. Additionally, key policy, practice, and research recommendations are proposed, including further investigation of therapy dog visits.
Study design:
Qualitative study OBJECTIVES: To explore the unique experience of facilitators, barriers, rewards, and challenges related to pet ownership after spinal cord injury (SCI).
Setting:
Zoom for Healthcare videoconferencing platform hosted from an American neuro-rehabilitation hospital in Colorado.
Methods:
Sixteen individuals with SCI participated in three semi-structured focus groups of 5-6 participants each. Resulting discussions were transcribed and coded using a hybrid approach to thematic analysis.
Results:
Experiences of pet ownership were categorized by their representativeness of four key themes: facilitators (conditions that make obtaining or maintaining pets easier), barriers (conditions that were prohibitive or that prevented people from having pets), rewards (benefits of pet ownership), and challenges (difficulties associated with pet ownership). Participants cited equipment, tools, and services as the most common facilitator for owning pets after SCI, with environment being the most commonly cited barrier. Companionship, love, and comfort/security were most commonly cited as rewards, while mobility was cited as a primary challenge of pet ownership after SCI. Additionally, two unexpected response themes emerged. Positive outweighs negative included assertions that benefits of having pets were not overshadowed by drawbacks, and Wishlist included desires for training and access to tools to facilitate pet ownership.
Conclusions:
Pet ownership is largely unexplored in individuals with SCI. Participants in this study indicated that pet ownership provides many benefits, though it is not without its challenges. Participants also noted the desire for training and resources to make pet ownership more accessible. Further exploration into informing development of those tools is warranted.
Kapitel enthält: emotionale, soziale und ethische Aspekte von Berührungen; Placeboeffekte; Embodiment; Haus- und Therapietiere; Einsamkeit. - Abstract: Im medizinischen Kontext können von erforderlichen Berührungen, die einem medizinischen oder pflegerischen Zweck dienen, soziale Berührungen unterschieden werden. Diese, oft spontan auftretenden Berührungen, erfüllen soziale oder emotionale Funktionen. Soziale Berührungen können beruhigend, tröstend, angst-, schmerz- oder stressreduzierend wirken. Es besteht somit die Möglichkeit, soziale Berührungen im medizinischen oder pflegerischen Kontext gezielt zu diesen Zwecken einzusetzen.
Human-animal interactions can either negatively or positively influence psychological and physiological parameters that are critical to human health and well-being. This chapter provides a comprehensive review on the psychological effects of the presence of companion animals and the connections between animal ownership, physical activity and health outcomes, while also covering the potential harms of human-animal contacts, including infectious and parasitic diseases. In addition, this chapter highlights the new perspective of animal sentinel surveillance as a key component of the public health risk assessment, with companion animals being useful to identify sources of environmental pollution, food contaminants, infectious disease transmission and other harmful exposures.
In diesem Kapitel wird die Rolle der Natur für die Gesundheit des Menschen und die dahintersteckenden Theorien und Mechanismen aus verschiedenen Gesichtspunkten heraus erklärt. Dabei belegen Studien, dass nicht nur der Faktor „Grün“, sondern auch der Kontakt zu Tieren dazu beitragen und eine Strategie darstellen kann, ein psychisches wie auch physisches Wohlbefinden zu erhalten oder sogar wiederzuerlangen. Im Embodiment wird diese Affinität zur Natur beispielsweise über Erinnerungsauslöser und taktilen Kontakt zu Tieren mit verschiedenen Methoden genutzt.
Animal-Assisted Interventions have evolved in the past 50 years from a misunderstood field to a more respected form of complementary therapyComplementary therapy. Although the field still lacks in strong empirical evidence, science is catching up with what many have thought intuitively: our interactions with animals are good for our well-being. This chapter will provide an overview of the value of human–animal interactions and provide insights into both the physiological and psychological benefits of the human–animal bond. Attention will be given to defining the bond as well as providing insights on why people seem drawn to developing relationships with animals. Finally, attention will be given to offering an overview of the spectrum of animal-assisted interventions, the present state of affairs in the field as well as an introduction to the importance of preserving the welfare of all beings involved in these interactions.
The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the bereaved Older males’ experiences with the interaction and ownership of a companion animal after the death of their partner. The primary researcher recruited 13 participants via a criterion-based purposeful sampling method to assure the quality of the information collected. Results revealed six themes: (a) bonds with their pets grew stronger and closer after the loss of their wife; (b) men were able to express their grief to their pets; (c) companion animals helped the men psychologically during grief; (d) pets were influential during times when the wife’s presence would have been valuable; (e) companion animals helped men with loneliness and social connection; and (f) companion animals helped men find a new normal by providing a purpose and routine during bereavement. The pets proved to be a source of support for these widowed men.
The therapeutic relationship between the therapist and the client is considered as a primarily goal for treatment and a significant factor for the programme success. In recent years, the scientific community has brought to light more and more findings concerning the human-animal bond. Many therapists are already incorporating Animal Assisted Therapy into their program as a complementary method. The Occupational Therapist, by introducing an animal to his sessions and using it as a therapeutic tool to achieve communicative, motor, mental, emotional and sensory goals can greatly benefit the patient. Scientific studies should be carried out in Greece in order to draw conclusions that will help all members of the interdisciplinary team to integrate an animal into the pre-treatment process taking into account factors that affect both one's health and ethical use of the animal.
Using an autopsychographic approach as advocated by Yuan and Hickman, this article demonstrates the ways in which love and horror are implicated in one another during the experience of grief at the loss of a companion animal. The relationship between the human and the companion animal is explored through Lacan’s understanding of love premised on lack and an ethical relationship to the lack in the other. When that other dies, horror may be an intrusive emotion premised on a feeling of the uncanny with the familiar becoming unfamiliar. These experiences are then rearticulated in the context of the human–animal relationship through psychoanalytic and existential themes, arguing that the loss of such a relationship needs to be appreciated in theorizations about grief and meaning within the humanistic tradition.
To investigate the association of the ownership of dog with health status, health-related QOL (SF-36), lifestyles (exercise habits, dietary habits, drinking, smoking), educational background, and family member were assessed for the main feeder of the dog and the non-breeders of the pet through internet. In addition, the breeding situation of the dog was examined for the main feeder of the dog. Each component summary score of SF-36 was examined between the main feeder of the dog and the non-breeders of the pet using 3different analytical models; model Ⅰ : non-adjusted U test, model Ⅱ : analysis of covariate adjusted for age and sex, model Ⅲ: analysis of covariate adjusted for age, sex, lifestyles, educational background, and family member. As the results, the main feeder of the dog showed significantly higher summary score of physical and role/social components than the non-breeders of the pet in every analytical model. This fact seemed to be due to the increased physical activity in daily life by walking with the dog. The summary score of mental component, however, was significantly higher in the non-breeders of the pet than that in the main feeder of the dog in model Ⅰ and Ⅱ, but not in model Ⅲ. These results suggested that the main feeder of the dog is in better health physically and socially due to daily dog walking.
The potential association between companion animal guardianship and human health has become a hot topic not only among researchers but also the media and the general public. Has research reached such a point to elevate these animals to the status of “clinical allies”? This chapter aims at providing an objective assessment of the literature allowing the reader to appreciate the distance between current understanding of the effects of companion animals on human health and its application in health promotion and healthcare. It is divided into two main sections. In the first section, evidence suggesting that companion animals may have a positive impact on human health is presented, followed by opposite findings. In the second section, attention is called upon the need for a comprehensive research approach (integrating confounding, mediating, and moderating variables) before we may attribute a “clinical role” to our companion animals.
A 10-month prospective study was carried out which examined changes in behaviour and health status in 71 adult subjects following the acquisition of a new pet (either dogs or cats). A group of 26 subjects without pets served as a comparison over the same period. Both pet-owning groups reported a highly significant reduction in minor health problems during the first month following pet acquisition, and this effect was sustained in dog owners through to 10 months. The pet-acquiring groups also showed improvements in their scores on the 30-item General Health Questionnaire over the first 6 months and, in dog owners, this improvement was maintained until 10 months. In addition, dog owners took considerably more physical exercise while walking their dogs than the other two groups, and this effect continued throughout the period of study. The group without pets exhibited no statistically significant changes in health or behaviour, apart from a small increase in recreational walking. The results provide evidence that pet acquisition may have positive effects on human health and behaviour, and that in some cases these effects are relatively long term.
The findings of this study confirm the independent importance of social factors in the determination of health status. Social data obtained during patients' hospitalization can be valuable in discriminating 1-year survivors. These social data can add to the prognostic discrimination beyond the effects of the well-known physiological predictors. More information is needed about all forms of human companionship and disease. Thus, it is important that future investigations of prognosis in various disease states include measures of the patient's social and psychological status with measures of disease severity. The phenomenon of pet ownership and the potential value of pets as a source of companionship activity or attention deserved more careful attention that that recorded in the literature. Almost half of the homes in the United States have some kind of pet. Yet, to our knowledge, no previous studies have included pet ownership among the social variables examined to explain disease distribution. Little cost is incurred by the inclusion of pet ownership in such studies, and it is certainly by the importance of pets in the lives of people today and the long history of association between human beings and companion animals. The existence of pets as important household members should be considered by those who are responsible for medical treatment. The need to care for a pet or to arrange for its care may delay hospitalization; it may also be a source of concern for patients who are hospitalized. Recognition of this concern by physicians, nurses, and social workers may alleviate emotional stress among such patients. The therapeutic uses of pets have been considered for patients hospitalized with mental illnesses and the elderly. The authors suggest that patients with coronary heart disease should also be included in this consideration. Large numbers of older patients with coronary heart disease are socially isolated and lonely. While it is not yet possible to conclude that pet ownership is beneficial to these patients, pets are an easily attainable source of psychological comfort with relatively few risks.
Recent findings have led researchers to believe that our pets may do more for us than we think. A dog's presence may even make a person appear more likable. Two studies were conducted to test this hypothesis. In the first study, 34 subjects viewed photographs of people pictured alone, pictured with a dog, and pictured with flowers. The subjects were asked to rate the person in the photos with regard to four dimensions: approachability, happy looking, relaxed looking, and best photo. The central finding revealed that photos of individuals pictured with a dog were rated higher than photos of individuals pictured without a dog. In the second study 45 subjects were asked to view three types of slides. The three slides consisted of outdoor scenery, a person walking through the outdoor scene, and a person walking a dog through the outdoor scene. Subjects were asked to rate the slides against each other with regard to several aesthetic dimensions, which included easiest to gaze at and best photo. In addition, subjects were asked how they perceived the person photographed with respect to happiness, relaxed looking, and safety. Finally, subjects were asked to choose photos in which they would like to be included. The major results of Study II demonstrated that (1) photos rated highest for questions concerning subjects' feelings toward the slides (easy to gaze at, feeling relaxed, best photo) were the scenery slides shown alone. The second highest rating went to the slides of the person walking the dog. (2) The person shown in the scene was perceived as appearing happier and safer when with the dog. (3) Subjects preferred to be added to the scene shown alone, without the dog. And when given the choice to replace the person shown, subjects preferred to replace the person in the scene with the dog rather than the person shown alone. Overall, results of both Studies I and II indicate that people appear happier, safer, and make a better “picture” when seen with a dog. Also, the results show that people appear more relaxed when sitting or standing with a dog. Finally, when asked to place themselves in the scene, subjects would rather be in a scene with a dog than alone.
Experimental group members watched a fish aquarium or a fish videotape, while control group members viewed a placebo videotape. Three eight-minute treatment sessions were held one week apart. Members of all three groups perceived their treatments as relaxing. Aquarium observers tended to experience a decrease in pulse rate and muscle tension and an increase in skin temperature. Theoretical and practical implications of the results and ideas for further research are discussed.
To compare risk factors for cardiovascular disease in pet owners and non-owners.
Accepted risk factors for cardiovascular disease were measured in 5741 participants attending a free, screening clinic at the Baker Medical Research Institute in Melbourne. Blood pressure, plasma cholesterol and triglyceride values were compared in pet owners (n = 784) and non-owners (n = 4957).
Pet owners had significantly lower systolic blood pressure and plasma triglycerides than non-owners. In men, pet owners had significantly lower systolic but not diastolic blood pressure than non-owners, and significantly lower plasma triglyceride levels, and plasma cholesterol levels. In women over 40 years old, systolic but not diastolic pressure was significantly lower in pet owners and plasma triglycerides also tended to be lower. There were no differences in body mass index and self-reported smoking habits were similar, but pet owners reported that they took significantly more exercise than non-owners, and ate more meat and "take-away" foods. The socioeconomic profile of the pet owners and non-owners appeared to be comparable.
Pet owners in our clinic population had lower levels of accepted risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and this was not explicable on the basis of cigarette smoking, diet, body mass index or socioeconomic profile. The possibility that pet ownership reduces cardiovascular risk factors should therefore be investigated.
The physician utilization behavior of 938 Medicare enrollees in a health maintenance organization was prospectively followed for 1 year. With demographic characteristics and health status at baseline controlled for, respondents who owned pets reported fewer doctor contacts over the 1-year period than respondents who did not own pets. Furthermore, pets seemed to help their owners in times of stress. The accumulation of prebaseline stressful life events was associated with increased doctor contacts during the study year for respondents without pets. This relationship did not emerge for pet owners. Owners of dogs, in particular, were buffered from the impact of stressful life events on physician utilization. Additional analyses showed that dog owners in comparison to owners of other pets spent more time with their pets and felt that their pets were more important to them. Thus, dogs more than other pets provided their owners with companionship and an object of attachment.
Social support and pet ownership, a nonhuman form of social support, have both been associated with increased coronary artery disease survival. The independent effects of pet ownership, social support, disease severity, and other psychosocial factors on 1-year survival after acute myocardial infarction are examined prospectively. The Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial provided physiologic data on a group of post-myocardial infarction patients with asymptomatic ventricular arrhythmias. An ancillary study provided psychosocial data, including pet ownership, social support, recent life events, future life events, anxiety, depression, coronary prone behavior, and expression of anger. Subjects (n = 424) were randomly selected from patients attending participating Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial sites and completed baseline psychosocial questionnaires. One year survival data were obtained from 369 patients (87%), of whom 112 (30.4%) owned pets and 20 (5.4%) died. Logistic regression indicates that high social support (p < 0.068) and owning a pet (p = 0.085) tend to predict survival independent of physiologic severity and demographic and other psychosocial factors. Dog owners (n = 87, 1 died) are significantly less likely to die within 1 year than those who did not own dogs (n = 282, 19 died; p < 0.05); amount of social support is also an independent predictor of survival (p = 0.065). Both pet ownership and social support are significant predictors of survival, independent of the effects of the other psychosocial factors and physiologic status. These data confirm and extend previous findings relating pet ownership and social support to survival among patients with coronary artery disease.
To determine whether pet ownership by elderly people is associated with lower use of health services.
Survey of physical and mental health, and retrospective 12-month review of Medicare records of the number of general practitioner and specialist services.
Elderly people living in Canberra (Australian Capital Territory) and Queanbeyan (New South Wales), surveyed in 1994 for the second stage of a larger longitudinal study.
Elderly pet owners did not differ from non-owners on any of the physical or mental health measures or in use of health services.
Given the high use of health services by older people, our findings suggest that the claim that pet ownership leads to savings in health services should be viewed with caution.
Coronary prone behaviour as a determinant of the relaxation effects of petting a companion dog in diagnosed hypertensives
- M M Beck
- T Trask
- S T Schuelke
- C Wallace
- N Bergstrom
- B Mccabe