No full-text available
To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the authors.
Dogs as Catalysts for Social Interactions: Robustness of the Effect
Abstract
It is known that pet dogs can act as catalysts for human social interactions, and it has been suggested that this may enhance feelings of well-being. Two studies were carried out to establish the robustness of this effect. In Study 1, a highly trained dog was used to ensure that the dog itself did not solicit attention from passers-by, and data were collected across a range of normal daily activities in which a dog could be included, not confined to conventional dog walking areas as in previous studies. Being accompanied by a dog increased the frequency of social interactions, especially interactions with strangers. In Study 2, also using a trained dog, a different (male) participant observer was dressed either smartly or scruffily. Although there were significantly more interactions when he was smartly dressed, the greatest effect was between the Dog present and No Dog conditions irrespective of the handler's dress. It is concluded that the social catalysis effect is very robust, which opens the way for investigating possible consequences of the effect for wellbeing and health.
... For people facing homelessness, a dog can be a valuable aid in reducing feelings of loneliness and depression, as well as providing physical contact (Rhoades et al., 2015). The presence of a dog can serve as a means of initiating communication with others and can facilitate initial social encounters (McNicholas & Collis, 2000), especially with the "normal" population (Kidd & Kidd, 1994). Research by Irvine et al. (2012) revealed that when a person experiencing homeless is accompanied by a dog, individuals are more likely to offer assistance, often because of their desire to help the animal. ...
... The responsibility of caring for a pet while working full-time results in a decreased ability to travel, particularly among young adults (Graham et al., 2019). Nevertheless, the majority of studies demonstrate the self-reported positive effects of owning a dog, such as improved mental health (McNicholas et al., 2005), enhanced social interaction (McNicholas & Collis, 2000), the taking of responsibility, the establishment of life stability (Graham et al., 2019), and the better management of stress (Allen, 2002). Dog ownership can positively impact the release of hormones and neurotransmitters, including oxytocin, dopamine, and prolactin, as well as reduce levels of cortisol during dog-owner interactions, as demonstrated by Odendaal and Lehmann (2000). ...
... Although the majority were able to hold down part-time jobs where their dog could be present or they were able to leave their dog with friends, others did not want to have a job at all or wanted to panhandle with their dog, which increased the money they earned and facilitated talking to strangers (Lem et al., 2016;Rhoades et al., 2015). This is in line with the results of earlier research that indicates that dogs facilitate communication between unfamiliar people (Kidd & Kidd, 1994;McNicholas & Collis, 2000;Rhoades et al., 2015) by raising the social attractiveness of their owner. ...
... Depression is the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide [1]. Prior research suggests, though with mixed results [2][3][4][5][6][7], that pets may provide social and psychological support [8,9] and positively impact mental health, especially among middle-to older-aged adults [10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Inconsistencies in the association between pet ownership and depression risk have been attributed to the inability of cross-sectional studies to take into account the potential for reverse causation, i.e., individuals acquiring a pet in response to loneliness or depressive symptoms [2,17,18]. ...
... Likewise, dog walking-related behaviors may reflect dogs' and owners' specific features, including potential resilience factors such as owners' attitude and commitment [56], self-determination [54] or attachment to pet [57], possibly mediating the relationship between dog walking and mental health outcomes. Nonetheless, dog walking behaviors have previously been related to human health and wellbeing [58][59][60][61] through increased physical activity [9,[62][63][64][65] and by providing opportunities for social interaction [9,20,58]. Our findings showing no association between dog walking related behaviors and depression risk are only partially in line with these earlier observations. ...
... Likewise, dog walking-related behaviors may reflect dogs' and owners' specific features, including potential resilience factors such as owners' attitude and commitment [56], self-determination [54] or attachment to pet [57], possibly mediating the relationship between dog walking and mental health outcomes. Nonetheless, dog walking behaviors have previously been related to human health and wellbeing [58][59][60][61] through increased physical activity [9,[62][63][64][65] and by providing opportunities for social interaction [9,20,58]. Our findings showing no association between dog walking related behaviors and depression risk are only partially in line with these earlier observations. ...
Background
We examined associations between dog ownership, morning dog walking and its timing and duration, and depression risk in female nurses, exploring effect modification by chronotype. We hypothesized that dog ownership and morning walking with the dog are associated with lower odds of depression, and that the latter is particularly beneficial for evening chronotypes by helping them to synchronize their biological clock with the solar system.
Methods
26,169 depression-free US women aged 53–72 from the Nurses’ Health Study 2 (NHS2) were prospectively followed from 2017–2019. We used age- and multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) for depression according to dog ownership, and morning dog walking, duration, and timing.
Results
Overall, there was no association between owning a dog (ORvs_no_pets = 1.12, 95%CI = 0.91–1.37), morning dog walking (ORvs_not = 0.87, 95%CI = 0.64–1.18), or the duration (OR>30min vs. ≤15mins = 0.68, 95%CI = 0.35–1.29) or timing of morning dog walks (ORafter9am vs. before7am = 1.06, 95%CI = 0.54–2.05) and depression. Chronotype of dog owners appeared to modify these associations. Compared to women of the same chronotype but without pets, dog owners with evening chronotypes had a significantly increased odds of depression (OR = 1.60, 95%CI = 1.12–2.29), whereas morning chronotypes did not (OR = 0.94, 95%CI = 0.71–1.23). Further, our data suggested that evening chronotypes benefited more from walking their dog themselves in the morning (OR = 0.75, 95%CI = 0.46–1.23, Pintx = 0.064;) than morning chronotypes.
Conclusions
Overall, dog ownership was not associated with depression risk though it was increased among evening chronotypes. Walking their dog in the morning might help evening chronotypes to lower their odds of depression, though more data are needed to confirm this finding.
... Similarly, it should reduce the variability of the types of misidentifications, as repeated interactions with the service dog would enable them to become more familiar with canine facial expressions. Due to their social catalyst effect, dogs induce more interactions between humans, which in turn should lead to improvements in recognition of human facial expressions (McNicholas & Collis, 2000;. We argue that these abilities would extend to other species, which is why we also tested identification of cat facial expressions. ...
... Those authors suggested that a generalization process from human-dog interactions to human-human interactions had occurred, consistent with our conclusions, since we observed an improvement of identification skills that was not limited to dogs, but that extended to humans. Such generalization processes could be explained by the fact that the service dog within the LUSI group could act as a social catalyst (McNicholas & Collis, 2000;. As a result, this "social catalyst effect" could lead to a cascade of events: more human-human interactions, and therefore more opportunities to experience and develop social skills, such as facial expressions processing. ...
(1) Background: Animals provide many benefits in children’s lives, but few studies assess the effects of animal presence—especially service dogs—in schools. This pilot study examined whether a year-long exposure to a service dog could improve facial expression recognition in adolescents with cognitive function disorders. (2) Method: Twenty-three adolescents participated: 10 with cognitive function disorders who were part of a specialized French teaching program (LUSI) that included a service dog (LUSI group), and 13 neurotypical adolescents who served as controls (not in LUSI, no service dog exposure). Participants assigned one of five facial expressions (sadness, joy, fear, neutral, anger) to images of human, dog, and cat faces at three intervals: before dog integration, at 5–8 months, and 11–14 months later (same intervals for controls). (3) Results: Identification of facial expressions of both dog (p = 0.001) and human (p = 0.01) but not cat (p > 0.05) faces by LUSI participants exposed to service dog improved with time. The performance of LUSI participants was better when they lived with various species of animals at home. Control participants’ performance did not change significantly (all p > 0.05). (4) Conclusions: After a school year, the presence of a service dog had helped adolescents with cognitive function disorders to better identify human and dog facial expressions.
... Companion animals can act as social facilitators for interpersonal human social interactions (social-catalyst effect) which in turn may reduce loneliness, social anxiety and depression, and increase self-esteem [25]. Pets are also perceived to provide unconditional positive regard, approval, and acceptance without judgement, for example when these feelings or affirmations are lacking from caregivers or peers [26,27]. ...
... Further, consistently poorer educational attainment was seen across many types of pet ownership. Our data evidences that companion animals may have a sociability function in children that may echo that seen in adults [25,94]. ...
Background
Research into the impact of social relationships on childhood and adolescent health and wellbeing has been largely limited to children’s relationships with other humans, while studies into the impact of pet ownership are sparse and have generally not adjusted for potential confounders. This study aimed to investigate the association between pet ownership and a range of developmental outcomes in childhood and adolescence.
Methods
Data were self-reports and direct assessments of approx. 14,000 children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Multivariable regression models adjusting for confounding factors examined associations between developmental outcome measures (emotional health, behavioural development, cognitive development, language development, educational attainment) and concurrent pet ownership, including species, and also longitudinal pet ownership history and pet-interaction where possible. Analyses model numbers using multiple imputation varied from n = 393–8963.
Results
In cross-sectional analyses, owning a dog (b = 0.24, [0.06–0.41], p = .004) and owning other/miscellaneous pets (b = 0.18, [0.03–0.33], p = .021) at age 3 were associated with higher prosocial behaviour score. Owning a pet was associated with a higher non-verbal communication score at age 2 (cross-sectional, b = 0.18, [0.04–0.32], p = .014), and a higher language development score at age 5 (cross-sectional, b = 1.01, [0.18–1.83], p = .017). However, pet ownership was associated with lower educational attainment across a number of academic subjects and timepoints, in both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. It was also cross-sectionally linked to hyperactivity at age 3 and conduct problems at age 3 and 11. Furthermore, at age 8, cross-sectional analysis showed that children who owned any pets (OR [95% CI]: 0.85 [0.73–0.98], p= ·026) or cats (0.83, [0.73–0.95], p= ·006) had lower odds of high self-esteem (scholastic competence).
Conclusions
Using a large, well-designed longitudinal study and adjusting for key confounders, we found little evidence of cross-sectional or longitudinal associations between pet ownership and emotional health or cognitive outcomes in children. There may, however, be some cross-sectional and longitudinal association with poorer educational attainment and a positive impact on social interactions as seen through associations with enhanced language development and prosocial behaviour. This study demonstrates the importance of adjustment for confounding variables and suggests that, contrary to popular belief, positive impacts of pet ownership on childhood development may be mainly limited to social behaviour and language development.
... Notably, in older adults with or without Alzheimer's disease, interaction with animals brings a reduction in behavioral disorders (agitation, aggression) and mood disorders (anxiety, apathy, and depression) (Tomaszewska et al., 2017). One of the benefits observed in elderly people with dementia is the ability to create social links in the presence of the animal, which acts as a social "lubricant" (McNicholas & Collis, 2000). Indeed, the animal facilitates social contact (conversations, smiles, and gestures) (Forget, 2021) and can stimulate cognitive and sensory functions (memory and communication). ...
... Indeed, our results show that caregivers who have a strong contact with the cat have a greater number of social ties in their unit. One of our hypotheses is that the cat acts as a social "lubricant" for all caregivers in units with cats (McNicholas & Collis, 2000). Indeed, the presence of the animal can be a vector of social stimuli and foster communication between caregivers and residents (Forget, 2021). ...
Our study analyzes the effects of the permanent presence of cats on the health and social network of residents with pathologies in nursing home. Fifty-three residents, thirty-six caregivers, and four cats in three Alzheimer’s Disease units (“ADU”) and one Disability unit (“DISU”) were observed for 180 hours. Social networks were created via instantaneous sampling of physical proximities and social exchanges between residents, caregivers, and the cats. Our results showed that: (1) the four units behave similarly in the presence or absence of a cat (2) cats are placed at the periphery of the network and interact with residents showing a keen interest in them, and (3) caregivers who are in strong contact with the cat show a greater number of social interactions in their unit. This study, using for the first time a social network approach, opens up a new field of understanding of human-animal relationships in a care dimension.
... Dogs are recognized to be effective social facilitators and catalysts by increasing and enhancing social interactions; accelerating contact, conversation, and cooperation especially between strangers; and negating loneliness and isolation (Graham & Glover, 2014;H. S. Lee et al., 2009;McNicholas & Collis, 2000;McNicholas et al., 2005). Participating in leisure activities with dogs can also provide improved human social capital, defined as bringing people to social situations that provide people with opportunities to socialize and build networks by cultivating personal connections, interpersonal interactions, and the development of place attachment and place loyalty (Gómez et al., 2018;Graham & Glover, 2014;T. ...
... It seems that if people can find leisure spaces that provide opportunities to socialize, then dogs can help to 'break the ice' with others and may lead to the development of a group of 'dog park friends' (Graham & Glover, 2014;H. S. Lee et al., 2009;McNicholas & Collis, 2000). To boost socialization opportunities in SOLS, designers can facilitate more frequent and longer social interactions for users, including those with dogs, by providing amenities such as benches, cafes, water sources, toilets, and events. ...
Shared outdoor leisure spaces (SOLS) such as parks, recreation grounds, woodlands, public footpaths, and beaches provide mental, physical, and social well-being benefits for multiple users including many people with their dogs. This study explores the importance of SOLS for dog guardians, which was highlighted during the UK's first COVID-19 restrictions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with dog guardians (n = 34). Thematic analysis was used to analyse the transcripts. Five themes were generated: one related to the impact of COVID-19 restrictions; two related to the motiva-tors to visit, namely human intrinsic motivation and dog well-being benefits; and two related to the importance of SOLS as valuable community amenities and as places that provide opportunities for social interaction. Overall, results found that these spaces are very important to the daily lives of dog guardians and highly valued leisure spaces. These findings provide insights for stakeholders engaged in designing, managing, preserving, and promoting these spaces. RÉSUMÉ Les espaces de loisirs partagés extérieurs (SOLS en anglais), tels que les parcs, les aires de loisirs, les forêts, les sentiers publics et les plages, offrent des avantages en matière de bien-être mental, physique et social à de multiples usagers, y compris à de nombreuses personnes accompagnées de leur chien. Cette étude porte sur l'im-portance des SOLS pour les gardiens de chiens, qui a été mise en évidence lors des premières restrictions du COVID-19 au Royaume-Uni. Des entretiens semi-structurés ont été menés avec des gardiens de chiens (n = 34). Les transcriptions ont fait l'objet d'une analyse thématique. Cinq thèmes ont été dégagés : l'un concerne les effets des restrictions imposées par le COVID-19 ; deux concernent les motivations des visiteurs, à savoir la ARTICLE HISTORY motivation intrinsèque de la personne et les avantages pour le bien-être du chien ; et deux concernent l'impor-tance des SOLS en tant que commodités communautaires précieuses et en tant que lieux offrant des possibilités d'interaction sociale. Dans l'ensemble, les résultats mon-trent que ces espaces sont très importants pour la vie quotidienne des gardiens de chiens et sont des espaces de loisirs très appréciés. Ces résultats fournissent des informations aux parties prenantes responsables de la conception, de la gestion et de la promotion de ces espaces.
... Psychological benefits of the human-canine bond include a range of responses, for example, research shows a decrease in depression [14][15][16][17], anxiety [14,[16][17][18][19], and stress, [10,15,17]. The human-canine bond also benefits individuals in social connectedness [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28], participation in activities of daily living [26,[29][30][31][32], employment ability [22,28,[33][34][35][36], and quality of life [11,34,[37][38][39]. Additionally, being teamed with a service dog may benefit the individual through a reduction in prescribed medications, and/or a decrease in paid caregiver hours [29,[39][40][41]. ...
... Benefits identified on the SSDS include social and emotional connectedness, physical activity, psychological wellbeing, quality of life, a decrease in prescribed medications, and a reduction in paid care hours. Research to date on the benefits identified in the SSDS have been with small samples, and/or focused on one type of disability, and/or on other types of assistance dogs for vision and hearing support [11,[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][32][33][34][35][36]39,41]. ...
Over 61 million people in the United States are living with disabilities. Less than one percent are teamed with service dogs. A service dog is a type of assistance dog specifically trained to perform a disability-related task(s) to assist the person and support their independence. Service dogs may also provide valuable secondary benefits. The aim of this survey research is to add empiric data on benefits of being teamed with a service dog. Two hundred and four individuals teamed with service dogs responded to demographic and survey questions that included the benefits they experience from being teamed with a service dog. Overwhelmingly, respondents agreed or strongly agreed to benefits of emotional connection (96%), community participation (97%), physical activity (96%), psychological wellbeing (98%), quality of life (97%), a reduction in prescribed medications (78%), and a decrease in paid or unpaid assistance hours (83%), which extend beyond their primary disability need. It is clear that many others may benefit from being teamed with a service dog. Greater evidence is needed to increase tangible support for those who desire to be teamed with a service dog and can meet the Americans with Disabilities requirements. Additionally, to support individuals with service dogs now and in the future, healthcare professionals need to be knowledgeable about and culturally competent in caring for patients teamed with service dogs. Service dogs, when indicated, may benefit individuals living with disabilities by meeting primary and secondary needs that support independence.
... It is important to acknowledge that participation in this research was voluntary, and there may have been a bias towards individuals who had strong bonds with their animals and wanted to share their experiences. However, the strength of the human-animal bond has been well-documented, as demonstrated by previous studies (Hawkley & Capitanio, 2015;McConnell et al., 2011;McNicholas & Collis, 2000;Morgan et al., 2020;Purewal et al., 2017;Ratschen et al., 2020), suggesting these findings are likely representative. ...
... The participants in this study supported the notion that ownership of a canine companion facilitated the development of human connections. Although literature exploring the role of dogs in human social interaction is limited, McNicholas and Collis (2000) have shown a positive impact on human social interactions when the dog behaves well. There is an opportunity for further exploration of this topic, including the impact of different dog breeds and dog behaviour on positive human social interaction. ...
... McNicholas and Collis conducted experiments to determine if the dogs' handler's appearance influenced interaction (3). The results showed the most significant effect was present with the dog present, irrespective of the handler's image (4). A study by Wells investigated the behavior of 1800 pedestrians approaching a female experimenter accompanied by a dog (three different types of breeds were studied) or a neutral stimulus (a plant/ teddy bear) compared to when the experimenter was alone (5). ...
... In our studies, the dog behaved as a catalyst to prompt social interaction and more conversations between the dog walker and the unacquainted people walking on the trail. Our findings are broadly in line with results from prior studies (4,5). However, our study provides a more detailed view of social interactions with and without a dog using our social interaction scale ( Table 1). ...
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted social interactions unprecedently. Schools closed, people worked from home, and many were confined to interacting via social media and video chats. Studies have shown the psychological benefits of pet ownership. However, little research has been done on how and if the presence of a pet affects social interactions with strangers, especially during a socially isolated global pandemic. We set out to answer the question: will a dog walk change social interactions with strangers? We hypothesized that walking with a dog can change human-to-human interaction and help start conversations with unacquainted people. We conducted this experiment during six dog walks on randomly selected trails. We studied how walking with and without a dog affects interaction with other walkers. There were 245 observations in the study group (walking with a dog) and 208 in the control group (walking without a dog). We created a “Social Interaction Scale” to define the interactions during these observations. Walking with a dog resulted in social interactions 63.3% of the time, compared to 39.9% while walking without a dog. Results showed that walking with a dog significantly increased social interaction (z-score of 4.9, p-value < 0.0001). From our analysis, we concluded that walking with a dog can promote social interaction. Further research is suggested to assess the effect of these facilitated social interactions on feelings of loneliness and psychosocial well-being.
... Although the role of animals in therapeutic settings can be diverse [3], they are mainly included for their companionship and calming effect [4], but also to promote the social skills of the client. Some authors have argued that animals can act as "social catalysts" stimulating interactions with other people [5], and provide clients with the opportunity to improve their communication skills and adapt to interactions with the animal, which can be later transferred to human interactions [6][7][8][9]. ...
Research with controlled or crossover designs in animal-assisted therapy have largely used control groups receiving no treatment or treatment as usual, which can potentially inflate the effects of these interventions. It is therefore not always clear whether this type of therapy has a positive effect on, for example, the social skills of children with special support needs. To address this, the current study compared children (7-16 years, n = 65) with autism or Down syndrome who received five sessions of dog-assisted therapy (n = 24; 9 female) with an active control group who received five similar sessions of robot dog-assisted therapy (n = 21; 8 female) and a no-treatment control group (n = 20; 8 female). The robot dog was capable of performing autonomous behavior and responding to the child’s actions and verbalizations. Using parental questionnaires, we assessed children’s social and emotional skills before and after the therapy sessions or waiting period and included a follow-up measurement after 4-6 weeks. On a group level, multilevel analyses showed that children who received dog-assisted therapy improved significantly more in terms of emotional attunement and emotion regulation than children in the two other conditions. No significant differences were found for social confidence, conversational attunement, social cognition, and social motivation. Change from post-test to follow-up was also less apparent. Yet, on a more individual level, when looking at the Reliable Change Index (RCI), most of the highest RCIs (within the 90th percentile) were found in the dog-assisted therapy group. In contrast, most of the lowest RCIs (within the 10th percentile) were found in the robot-assisted group. We discuss the pros and cons of a more individualized approach in this field of study and propose a possible alternative by focusing on interaction dynamics.
... Earlier research reported that dogs are often conversation starters between strangers [14]. Dog owners are more likely to experience social interactions compared to those walking alone [15]. Similarly, this study found that walking dogs leads to encounters with dog enthusiasts and other dog owners, fostering communication and potential friendships. ...
This study investigates the effects of pet companionship on adolescents’ emotional states, emotional recognition abilities, and interpersonal relationships. Conducted with 11 Chinese university students from Northwest Normal University who have prior experience with pet ownership, the research utilizes semi-structured interviews to gather qualitative data. The findings reveal that interacting with pets consistently fosters positive emotions such as happiness, relaxation, and reduced stress, while also occasionally eliciting negative emotions related to pet behavior and care responsibilities. Additionally, pet companionship enhances adolescents’ abilities to recognize and regulate their own emotions, as well as to perceive and understand others’ emotions more effectively. The presence of pets also facilitates the development of interpersonal relationships by providing common interests that strengthen friendships and improve family cohesion. The study highlights the significant role of pets in supporting adolescents’ emotional well-being and social skills. However, it acknowledges limitations including a homogeneous sample and reliance on self-reported data, suggesting the need for further research to explore these dynamics across diverse populations and contexts.
... AAIs on campuses typically involve therapy dogs, who can provide non-judgmental mental wellbeing support (142). Interacting with dogs has been shown to serve as a catalyst for social interaction, enhancing prosocial behavior and relationships that can contribute to overall wellbeing (143). Recent systematic reviews of AAIs in higher education show promising results in alleviating stress and anxiety (142,144). ...
Individuals in the veterinary profession are experiencing significant mental health and wellbeing challenges. A holistic view of wellbeing, which encompasses both physical and mental health, underscores their interconnected nature. This integrated approach reduces the artificial separation of wellbeing facets, and highlights how mental states influence not only individuals, but also their interactions with animals, the environment, and others in the workplace. Wellbeing challenges in veterinary medicine may contribute to negative impacts in animal, human, and environmental health. Veterinary education institutions and systems are also experiencing complex challenges as they adapt to rapidly changing societal, workforce, and professional wellbeing related pressures. This review paper explores the field of positive psychology and its application in educational contexts, commonly known as positive education. A thorough exploration of the systems-informed positive education approach and ways in which it can proactively enhance veterinary professional wellbeing from within the veterinary education ecosystem are presented. It is important to recognize that individual self-care, while valuable, cannot compensate for systemic dysfunctions such as poor team dynamics, ineffective leadership, or organizational culture issues. Addressing these systemic factors is critical for creating environments that support sustained flourishing. Positive psychology interventions delivered through the pathways of individuals, groups, and organizations specifically within a veterinary education context are discussed. Limitations, considerations, and proposed measurement strategies are reviewed. The implications of implementing a systems-informed positive psychology approach to enhance wellbeing in veterinary education include creating curriculum and cultures that enable flourishing within veterinary education institutions. Strengthening the individual and collective wellbeing of veterinary professionals has the potential to enhance the quality of care provided to animals, which has myriad positive implications for animal caregivers, their communities, the environment, and society.
... Dogs are companions in families worldwide and are considered family members, or play a support role assisting patients with disabilities and other medical conditions (5). Additionally, dogs are essential to human well-being and psychosocial health (6), besides dogs working in a variety of functions, such as mobility and therapy assistance, protection, and detection (of narcotics and explosives for example) (7). ...
In many homes worldwide, dogs are considered part of the family. Every possible care is given to animals, including drug treatments. However, many animal guardians, in an attempt to minimize pain or improve the quality of life of their dogs, provide drugs without a veterinarian’s prescription. Diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that acts on cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 enzymes, is associated with several adverse events, especially related to the gastrointestinal tract, both in humans and pet animals. Therefore, the availability of information about the effects of this drug in different species is always essential. This narrative review aims to present adverse reactions the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) can suffer when exposed to diclofenac. Scientific publications, books, and case reports were consulted, and inquiries were also carried out with regulatory agencies. Many reports of suspected adverse reactions, especially related to the gastrointestinal tract, were found. Other clinical manifestations and lesions were also identified in the cardiovascular system, liver, kidneys, and hematological examinations. Therefore, diclofenac may constitute a hazard to dogs, mainly due to possible damage to the gastrointestinal tract. This fact reinforces the need to seek veterinary advice before providing any drug to animals, in addition to recommendations on ensuring the correct storage of medications to avoid accidental exposure.
... Although loneliness can be conceptualised as an indicator of unmet social needs and a motivator to implement steps to increase social connection [45], during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to put these steps into action were significantly restricted by public health directives [4], resulting in increased depression and anxiety for global citizens during the pandemic (Robinson et al., 2022). Dog walking may benefit mental health and reduce loneliness via a social catalyst effect, as walking a dog increases the frequency of chance social interactions with strangers [40,61]. During COVID-19 such chance 'COVID-safe' social encounters were at times the only social contact dog owners experienced [64], and studies showed increased dog walking during COVID-19 resulted in reduced loneliness [9,35]. ...
Background and aim
Dog ownership has been suggested as an intervention to increase physical activity and improve mental health, but few studies have investigated the relationships between dog ownership, physical activity, and mental health outcomes together. This study aimed to (1) investigate whether dog ownership, CA-related physical activity, and non-CA-related physical activity were explanatory variables for the relationships between CA ownership, depression, and anxiety via loneliness and (2) examine whether the relationships between these variables differed for older adult CA owners compared to younger adult CA owners.
Method
Participants were Australian CA owners from the community (N = 588, 76.3% female) aged 18–84 years (M = 55.34, SD = 14.90). A cross-sectional design and online/phone survey methodology were used.
Results
Path analysis showed that dog owners (compared to owners of other CA types) engaged in higher levels of both CA-related and non-CA-related physical activity, but only non-CA-related physical activity was associated with mental health outcomes. Multigroup moderation analysis showed that older adult and younger adult CA owners experienced similar moderate levels of loneliness, while in younger adults this moderate loneliness was associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety as compared to older adults.
Conclusion
Our findings indicate people who choose to own dogs over other CA types engage in more active lifestyles, but it is the physical activity they perform independently of their dog that is associated with less loneliness and greater mental health. Members of the public should not be universally encouraged by health or other professionals to own a dog to support their mental health based on a belief that dog ownership leads to beneficial physical activity.
... Women may perceive children and pets as playing partly similar roles in the family [5]. Companion animal keeping, especially dog keeping, can have a positive effect on the frequency of human social interactions and owners' physical activity [e.g., [6][7][8]. a1111111111 a1111111111 a1111111111 a1111111111 a1111111111 ...
Over the past two decades, farm animal-assisted therapies have become popular. However, the effects of farm animals on healthy people’s mental states have not yet been investigated. In Study 1, we aimed to explore whether positive effects of human-animal interaction (HAI) can be detected in healthy farm volunteers even after short-term (2–3 hours) work with goats and goatlings on a goat farm. We found that the participants’ state anxiety decreased (p < 0.001) while their trust levels increased (p < 0.001) after interacting with goats. Nevertheless, it is possible that time spent in nature alone can have a beneficial effect on well-being. Therefore, in Study 2, we compared the results of Study 1 with those of a similar short-term outdoor treatment, walking in a botanical garden as a visitor. Similar but smaller effects were found for garden visitors. Decreases in anxiety scores and increases in trust scores were more pronounced in farm volunteers (anxiety: 25% vs 13%, p < 0.001; trust: 13% vs 3%, p = 0.002) after the treatments. Overall, the results suggest that the novel experience of interacting with goats and goatlings has a more positive effect on the mental state of healthy humans than walking in a botanical garden. This finding offer a strong foundation for developing animal assisted therapy methods for individuals with short or long term mental problems, but they can also enhance the wellbeing of mentally healthy people.
... Depression and anxiety among pet owners has been studied previously among midlife and older adult populations [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] ; however, findings have been mixed, likely due to methodologic issues such as self-selection into pet ownership, unmeasured confounding, 17,18 and limited consideration of reverse causality. 19,20 Furthermore, it is plausible that certain subpopulations at higher risk of depression and/or anxiety, such as adolescents who are mistreated by peers, 21 LGBTQ+ emerging adults (ages 18 to 29 years), 22 adolescents who experienced childhood abuse, 23 or older adults facing social loss 24 may benefit from pet ownership. ...
Importance
Understanding how attachment to pets can alleviate depression and anxiety offers valuable insights for developing preventive and therapeutic strategies, particularly for those with insecure attachment styles from childhood trauma.
Objective
To determine if a close bond with a pet is associated with reduced depression and anxiety, especially among women who experienced childhood abuse.
Design, Setting, and Participants
This cross-sectional study involved women who voluntarily enrolled in the Mind Body Study (MBS), a substudy of the Nurses’ Health Study II (NHS2) focusing on psychosocial factors. Women reporting childhood abuse were oversampled to capture their psychosocial distress in adulthood. MBS participants were invited to complete comprehensive online questionnaires, which were administered twice (March 2013 and February 2014).
Exposure
Pet attachment measured by Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS).
Main Outcomes and Measures
Levels of depression and anxiety (10-item Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale [CESD-10]; Kessler Psychological Distress Scale [K6]; 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale [GAD-7]; Crown Crisp Experiential Index phobic anxiety subscale [CCI]), considered individually and combined into an overall z -score measure of anxiety and depression symptoms.
Results
A total of 214 women (mean [SD] age, 60.8 [3.9] years) were included; 156 women (72.6%) reported a history of childhood abuse. Of 688 invited MBS participants in 2013, 293 (42.6%) expressed interest; there were 228 completed questionnaires (response rate, 77.8%) in 2013 and 208 questionnaires (response rate, 71.0%) in 2014. LAPS scores were provided by 140 participants (65.4%), 78 (55.7%) for dogs and 46 (32.9%) for cats. Overall higher pet attachment on the LAPS score was significantly associated with lower GAD-7 scores (β = −0.17; 95% CI, −0.29 to −0.06), but there was no association for phobic anxiety or depression. There were no statistically significant associations between cat attachment and depression or anxiety. Higher dog attachment was associated with significantly lower scores in depression (CESD-10: β, −0.47; 95% CI, −0.68 to −0.26; K6: β = −0.42; 95% CI, −0.54 to −0.31), generalized anxiety (GAD-7: β = −0.47; 95% CI, −0.65 to −0.3), and the overall measure of anxiety and depression ( z score: β = −0.12; 95% CI, −0.17 to −0.08), but there was no association between dog attachment and phobic anxiety (CCI: β = −0.08; 95% CI, −0.24 to 0.09). All effect sizes for associations were higher when analyses were restricted to women with a history of childhood abuse.
Conclusions and relevance
In this explorative cross-sectional study, strong attachment to pets, especially dogs, was associated with lower anxiety and depression symptoms. The favorable association was particularly apparent in women with a history of childhood abuse.
... Cole and Gawlinski, 2000;Katcher, 2003, Hines, 2003;Horowitz, 2008;Walsh, 2009;Kruger and Serpell, 2010;Fine and Beck, 2015;Applebaum et al., 2021). The strength and quality of the body of evidence to date varies due to methodological restrictions, but findings have generally been consistent -pets assuage loneliness, anxiety and depression (Le Roux and Kemp, 2009;Stanley et al., 2014), provide motivation for physical activity (Cutt et al., 2007;Hoerster et al., 2011;Curl et al., 2017;Christian et al., 2018;O'Dwyer, 2018;Rhodes et al., 2020), build social capital (McNicholas and Collis, 2000;Wells, 2004;Curl et al., 2021), provide companionable touch (Young et al., 2020) and improve cardiovascular health (Allen et al., 2002;Friedmann et al., 2011;Levine et al., 2013;Mubanga et al., 2019). Not all subpopulations may experience these benefits or may experience only some of them to varying degrees (Amiot et al., 2022). ...
Pet ownership has known health and well-being benefits for people of all ages. Most previous research on pet ownership among older people has focussed on older people with pets living independently in their own homes or the effects of visiting pet programs in residential aged care. With structural ageing of populations globally, the number of humans living into old age is increasing. Even with home support and care policies, an increasing number will need to live in communal aged care settings. Currently, pets rarely accompany older persons into communal residential aged care. This article presents a risk management tool – Safe Animal Friendly Environments (SAFE) – designed to facilitate and maintain private pet ownership among older people living in residential aged care facilities. SAFE was developed to identify best practice for both human and animal well-being in residential aged care. The tool supports both human and animal well-being during a human stage of life with many losses and pains while reducing the number of pet animals needlessly relinquished or even euthanised when owners need to ‘go into care’. It was developed using a Delphi process with multidisciplinary expert input. We identify the different types of risks for stakeholders (residents with pets, aged care facility staff and pets), including physical, zoonotic and psychological risks. None of the identified risks of pets in aged care are unmanageable. SAFE reduces risks to acceptable levels and directs how to remove them where possible. SAFE has a summative table listing 17 general risks: from animals to humans, humans to animals and animals to animals. Each identified risk has a pre-mitigation risk assessment (low, medium or high), recommended mitigation actions and a post-mitigation risk rating (low, medium or high). Post-mitigation risk is reduced to ‘low’ in almost all scenarios. SAFE has separate tables for dogs, cats, small mammals, birds and fish, each preceded by a best practice case study. The discussion links the Ottawa Charter for (human) health promotion and use of SAFE. SAFE contributes to the inclusion of residential aged care as a context for the personal human-animal bond.
... In addition, several studies have found that companion animals act as a buffer to stress-related physical health problems (O'Haire, 2010). A longitudinal study has shown that compared with people without a companion animal, those who have one were healthier and had fewer doctor visits (McNicholas & Collis, 2000). The human-animal interaction is mutually beneficial to both humans and companion animals in terms of physical health. ...
Homelessness is a significant social problem internationally and some people who are homeless rely on their companion animal for comfort and support. It is unknown what attitudes Australian communities have regarding people who are homeless and have a companion animal. This study aims to explore public attitudes and knowledge about the issues homeless people with a companion animal are likely to experience in their daily lives. 125 non-homeless individuals completed an online survey. Qualitative analysis conducted on participants responses to the survey indicate that in general the Australian population is supportive and sympathetic to the plight of homeless people with companion animals. In addition, participants displayed good levels of awareness of the key issues and benefits associated with having a companion animal when homeless. Favorable opinions can influence policy development to support the plight of homeless people with companion animals to find a place to call home.
... According to McNicholas and Collis (2000) [10] highlight the emotional and psychological benefits of pet adoption, including stress reduction, increased happiness, improved self-esteem, and enhanced social support. Pets contribute to stress reduction through mechanisms like oxytocin release and calming interactions. ...
Pet Companion Hub is a multifaceted platform designed to enhance pet care and animal welfare through its three interconnected modules: Pet Adoption, Pet Veterinary, and Pet Shelter. The Pet Adoption module provides a user-friendly interface for individuals to browse and adopt animals in need of homes, promoting responsible pet ownership and reducing shelter overpopulation. Users can access detailed profiles of animals, facilitating informed decision-making and personalized matches. The Pet Veterinary module offers comprehensive veterinary services, including appointment scheduling, medical record management, and expert advice, ensuring pets receive the care they need to thrive. This module empowers pet owners to make informed healthcare decisions and promotes proactive health management. The Pet Shelter module serves as a valuable resource for shelters and rescue organizations, streamlining operations, facilitating communication, and maximizing impact within the community. By providing support to shelters and promoting collaboration, Pet Companion Hub strengthens the infrastructure for caring for and rehoming animals in need. Together, these modules create a holistic approach to pet care and advocacy, fostering a culture of compassion, responsibility, and community engagement in the realm of animal welfare
... Interestingly, other studies have shown that these benefits of companion animals and SD are not limited to the child, but extend to the entire family both in families of NT individuals (Cox, 1993;McNicholas and Collis, 2000) and families of children with ASD. Indeed, improved family functioning (Leung et al., 2022) and feelings of security and independence (Berry et al., 2013) have been reported by parents of children with ASD. ...
Objective
Parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have parenting styles that differ from parents of typically developing children. Integration of a service dog (SD) at home has been demonstrated as having multiple effects within families of children with ASD. Our aims were to investigate if (a) specific parenting styles can be identified during parents’ interactions with their child with ASD using ethological methods, and (b) integration of a SD have an effect on these styles.
Methods
Behavioural coding was performed on videos recorded at home by 20 parents of 6-12-years old children with ASD before SD integration. Parents were asked to record themselves and their child while making a puzzle. 14 parents performed a second similar recording 3-6 months after SD integration. Data were analysed using Principal Component Analysis, Hierarchical Cluster Analysis and non-parametric tests.
Results
Three parenting styles emerged: Parents Involved in the Task (PIT), Parents Relaxed in the Interaction (PRI), and Parents Disengaged from the Interaction (PDI). PIT were characterised as more controlling and verbally focused on the activity. PRI were less controlling and talk about things other than the activity. The same applied to PDI, except that they were less warm in their interactions. Analysis performed after SD integration revealed that these groups also diverged in the evolution of certain behaviours.
Conclusion
This study is the first to demonstrate that behavioural observations can highlight different parenting styles in caregivers of children with ASD, and that the integration of a SD has effects on these styles, with variation according to parents’ style prior to SD integration. Indeed, a decrease in activity control behaviours was observed in parents with an initial profile characterise by higher expression of such behaviours (i.e., PIT), while an increase of those behaviours was observed in parents initially with an initial profile characterise by a weaker expression of such behaviours (i.e., PRI). Interestingly, the last profile characterized by less engagement in the interaction and activity (i.e., PDI) did not seem to show significant changes.
... A study on the impact of dog-assisted activities on inpatients with schizophrenia revealed positive outcomes in terms of self-esteem, self-determination, and a reduction in psychotic symptoms [45]. In addition, other themes have also been mentioned in studies on DAT, notably about the emotional support a dog provides during DAT [12] and the dog's function as an icebreaker in the contact between people with and without intellectual disabilities [46,47]. These issues are also reflected in research on the (non)specific factors of AAS with a range of animals [48]. ...
(1) Background: Dog-assisted therapy (DAT) is an experiential intervention to promote psychological, physical, and social functioning in children and adults. Only few studies have been conducted on DAT in adults with a mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning (MID-BIF). The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of patients with MID-BIF undergoing DAT in a mental health care facility. (2) Method: Seven patients completed 13 to 15 sessions of DAT. Within two weeks of completing the program, they were interviewed using a semi-structured interview. The transcripts of the interviews were analysed using interpretational phenomenological analysis. In addition, the patients’ relatives and the DAT therapist were interviewed, and a focus group discussion took place with each patient’s treatment team. (3) Results: The patients’ experiences were predominantly positive. Physical contact with the dog calmed them down. The dog offered them emotional support and helped them to make contact inside and outside the therapy and the setting where they lived. The patients also liked the fact that DAT focused on the dog rather than their problems, that the therapy was experiential and using a positive approach, and that, during the therapy, they did not feel like a patient but a human being. DAT is a promising therapy for patients with MID-BIF in mental health care facilities, but more research into its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness and ways to implement DAT in clinical practice is needed to make more definitive statements.
... Extending this, sociability has been identified as a further motivation for dog companionship, with long-term friendships emerging between dog-walkers (Messent, 1983), the dogs themselves (Westgarth et al., 2019), and even beyond the dog walking fraternity (Wood & Christian, 2011). This has been articulated as a form of social capital and civic engagement (Tissot, 2011;Wood et al., 2005) with the dog becoming a facilitator in social relations and a broker in reciprocal sociability (Cudworth, 2011;Graham & Glover, 2014;McNicholas & Collis, 2000;Wells, 2004). Dogs, therefore, provide more than mere companionship for humans, becoming: " . . . ...
The benefits of pet companionship – and of dog walking in particular – has been long acknowledged across academic disciplines. Much of the research values – even romanticizes – it as mutually beneficial, catalysing both human sociability and canine well-being. However, walking a dog displaying aggressive or other unwanted behaviour – dogs that fall short of expectations – severely undermines the virtues of pet companionship, extracting a considerable social and emotional toll for those seeking greater inter-species commonality. Drawing on empirical work on walking practices and the author’s autoethnographic account, the paper solicits interpretations more attuned to the complexities of our cohabited socio-spatial worlds, particularly against contexts of discordance. The research demonstrates how these circumstances influence relationships with humans, often forcing dogs and their owners into liminal and contested socio-spatial existences, though also occasionally revealing exploratory opportunities. The dog walk therefore emerges as an activity that is heavily negotiated and contingent. Ultimately, the quest to ‘make space’ for seemingly transgressive dogs demonstrates the necessity and potentiality for a trans-species co-habitation that is more sensitive to the spectrum of animals that share our more than human worlds.
... The emotional bond or attachment between humans and dogs plays a key role in fostering wellbeing (El Aleyli et al., 2010;Peacock et al., 2012), but the factors that influence this association are complex and encompass affective dimensions of human-animal relations in different physical spaces (Andreasson et al., 2013). Dog-walking is a core component of dog guardianship that can contribute positively to physical and mental human health and wellbeing (Campbell et al., 2016;Christian et al., 2018;Wharf-Higgins et al., 2013), and this is thought to occur through both the physical nature of the activity and as a catalyst for social interactions (McNicholas & Collis, 2000). ...
Dog-walking contributes positively to the wellbeing of humans; however, there is little evidence about any wellbeing benefits of dog-walking for “non-guardians.” We use the terminology “borrowers” to refer to non-guardians who borrow dogs to walk and “loaners” to refer to guardians who loan their dogs. In this qualitatively driven, mixed-methods study, we explored dog-walking and wellbeing for a sample of nine borrowers and four loaners. Data were collected from dog-walk-along interviews and participatory analysis sessions with borrowers, seated interviews with loaners, and supplementary questionnaires. Wellbeing of borrowers and loaners was analyzed using an existing theoretical model, Therapeutic Dog-walking Spaces, which led to two themes: “Balancing Wellbeing and Responsibility” and “Wellbeing and Trust.” Two novel theoretical spaces were identified: a “dog-space” and a “shaper space,” to further account for the role of borrowers and illustrate the active role that dogs and “shapers” like policymakers might play in enhancing therapeutic dog-walking spaces.
... Existing data implicates various animal species in this mechanism. Dogs have been identified as catalysts of social interactions [39], while turtles and rabbits have been found to evoke social approaches and conversations from unfamiliar adults and children [40]. Our study aligns with previous literature, as it confirms that owning a pet, regardless of the species, motivates owners to maintain contact with others through social media or other platforms, thereby enhancing their well-being. ...
Background.-COVID-19, the economic and the political crises happening in Lebanon, have enforced social distancing and isolation, causing severe psychological states. However, these psychological consequences have highlighted the aim behind the interactions between humans and animals. In this study, we aimed to investigate the interaction between humans and animals and to compare the well-being and quality of life of the Lebanese pet owners in Lebanon in the face of stressors currently experienced and animals' companionship. Methods.-An observational cross-sectional retrospective design was involved in this study. The study enrolling 314 participants via an online survey was conducted between March 2021 and May 2021. The questionnaire used was pre-tested and participants were given the choice of not participating. Participants were Lebanese and over the age of 18; they responded to questions regarding their interactions with animals and the impact of different stressors on their mental and physical state. Results.-The study's findings indicate that most participants perceived their animals as a valuable source of support, and there was a significant correlation between the strength of the bond with their companion animals (as measured by the Comfort from Companion Animal Scale (CCAS) (R = 0.14, P = 0.009)) and their well-being. Additionally, the study revealed that individuals who had a closer relationship with their pets engaged in more physical activity, socialized more through social media during the pandemic period, and maintained better relationships with their parents and other relatives. However, the results showed no significant correlation between individuals' quality of life and their interaction with animals (R = 0.10, P = 0.07). Conclusion.-The positive impact of human-animal interaction on human well-being has been observed in Lebanon under various stressors. This impact is closely related to the strength of the bond between humans and their animals. During the pandemic period, having a companion animal was found to promote human well-being by encouraging physical activity and social interaction. It is noteworthy that emotional and psychological health was not affected by the number of animals an individual owned. However, the recent COVID-19, political, and socioeconomic crises in Lebanon have raised serious concerns regarding the psychological state of its citizens. Thus, further research is needed to address the issues highlighted in this study. © 2023 L'Encéphale, Paris. Mots clés : Interactions homme-animal Animal de compagnie Qualité de vie Bien-être COVID-19 r é s u m é Introduction et objectifs.-La pandémie de COVID-19, les crises économique et politique qui sévissent au Liban ont contraint les individus à adopter des mesures de distanciation sociale et d'isolement, entraî-nant des états psychologiques graves. Toutefois, ces conséquences psychologiques ont mis en évidence l'importance des interactions entre les êtres humains et les animaux. Dans cette étude, nous avons cherché à étudier cette interaction homme-animal et son effet sur le bien-être et la qualité de vie des propriétaires d'animaux au Liban, face aux facteurs de stress actuels. J. Kassem et al. L'Encéphale xxx (xxxx) xxx-xxx Matériels et méthodes.-Une étude observationnelle transversale a été faite. Nous avons recruté 314 participants en utilisant une enquête en ligne, menée entre mars 2021 et mai 2021. Le questionnaire utilisé a été préalablement testé et les participants ont eu la possibilité de refuser de participer. Tous les participants étaient des citoyens libanais âgés de plus de 18 ans. Ils ont répondu à des questions portant sur leurs interactions avec les animaux et l'impact de différents facteurs de stress sur leur bien-être physique et mental. Résultats.-Les résultats de l'étude ont démontré que la plupart des participants considéraient leurs animaux de compagnie comme une source de soutien précieuse. Une corrélation significative a été mise en évidence entre le bien-être des humains et la force du lien qui existe entre les participants et leurs animaux de compagnie, évalué à l'aide de l'échelle de confort des animaux de compagnie (CCAS), (R = 0,14, p = 0,009). En outre, l'étude a révélé que les personnes ayant une relation plus étroite avec leurs animaux de compagnie étaient plus actives physiquement, avaient davantage de contacts sociaux via les réseaux sociaux pendant la pandémie et avaient de meilleures relations avec leurs parents et autres proches. Cependant, les résultats n'ont montré aucune corrélation significative entre la qualité de vie des individus et leur interaction avec les animaux (R = 0,10, p = 0,07). Conclusion.-L'étude a révélé que l'interaction homme-animal avait un impact positif sur le bien-être humain au Liban. Cet impact était étroitement lié à la force du lien entre les humains et leurs animaux. Pendant la pandémie, avoir un animal de compagnie a été associé à une meilleure santé mentale et physique des humains, en encourageant l'activité physique et l'interaction sociale. Il est important de souligner que la santé émotionnelle et psychologique n'était pas affectée par le nombre d'animaux qu'un individu possédait. Cependant, la récente crise du COVID-19, la crise politique et celle socio-économique au Liban ont suscité des préoccupations quant à l'état psychologique des citoyens. Par conséquent, des recherches supplémentaires sont nécessaires pour mieux comprendre et résoudre les problèmes mis en évidence dans cette étude.
... The reasons for this include increased motivation and social support (Brown & Rhodes, 2006;Ham & Epping, 2006), as well as purpose (Westgarth et al., 2021). Dog walking also increases the number of social interactions an individual has with people in their neighborhood (Potter & Sartore-Baldwin, 2019), which may be particularly important for older adults who are often more socially isolated (McNicholas & Collis, 2000;Rogers et al., 1993). Moreover, walking a dog reduces stress levels (Akiyama & Ohta, 2021), lowers blood pressure (Anderson et al., 1992), and make owners feel happy (Westgarth et al., 2017). ...
... For instance, owners sitting in public places or engaging in normal daily activities while accompanied by a dog (vs. alone) tend to receive higher social approachability ratings and experience more social interactions, even when dressed scruffily (Lawson, 2001;McNicholas & Collis, 2000). Handling a dog is also associated with higher rates of solicited (asking for money in the street) and unsolicited (picking up coins that the person dropped on the ground) helping behaviors (Guéguen & Ciccotti, 2008). ...
Research shows that the inclusion of a dog in pictures showing a man in threatening scenarios improves women’s emotional reactions to them. However, the magnitude of this “dog-accompanying effect” (i.e., whether the inclusion of a dog renders socially threatening scenes less aversive, neutral, or positive) in societies differing in terms of safety remains unknown. To address this, undergraduate women from societies differing in safety levels (lower [Colombia, n = 120] and higher [Spain, n = 131] safety levels) provided valence, arousal, dominance, and safety ratings to images depicting a man alone or with a dog in threatening scenes, as well as to images of pleasant and neutral social scenes. The same response pattern was found in both countries: when viewing images of a dog accompanying a man, women gave lower valence, dominance, safety, and calmness ratings than when viewing images of neutral scenes. Conversely, women gave higher valence, dominance, safety, and calmness ratings when observing images of a dog accompanying a man compared with images showing the man alone in threatening scenes. Overall, these data indicate that a dog’s presence in pictures buffered negative emotional reactions to photos of threatening social scenes in societal contexts differing in safety levels, but still (slightly) activated the defensive motivational system. The slight activation of the defensive motivational system is interpreted as an adaptative response of the person to reduce or avoid potential harm (e.g., a hypothetical attack by the man). Our study provides a deeper understanding of the influence of dogs on women’s emotional reactions to images of threatening scenes by clarifying the magnitude of the dog effect in societies differing in safety levels.
... Dogs may enhance the social atmosphere at the work place (Tarkan,0000) and increase the frequency of conversations among coworkers (Wells, 2004). The presence of a friendly dog has been repeatedly shown to raise the social attractiveness of its owner (Allen, Blascovich, & Mendes, 2002;Aumer, Erickson, Krizizke, Jaksuwijitkorn, & Åbb, 2022;McNicholas & Collis, 2000Wells, 2004). Thus, the (potential) benefits of dogs in working environments seems obvious but how are dogs affected by this relatively new practice? ...
... Words such as "impact" and "social" reflect the influence of pet ownership. Indeed, evidence from epidemiological and psychological studies suggests that pet ownership is associated with several positive health benefits for pet owners (75) and promotes social interaction (76,77). ...
Animal welfare is a field with increasing significance and has been raising huge concerns of the public and the political stage. Cats and dogs possess an important role in human life, but their welfare is not always secured from a legal aspect. This review aimed to describe the evolution and geographical distribution of “cats and dogs” and “puppies and kittens” welfare literature over the last 40 years, distinguish the main research topics studied and highlight gaps in knowledge. A search using Scopus® was performed with different search strings and predetermined filters as time range, language, and subject area. A total of 2,725 scientific literature records were retrieved but only the ones that referred to cats and dogs’ welfare aspects were retained. The final 1,775 records were processed through descriptive statistics, and text mining and topic analysis procedures were performed on their titles and abstracts. The results showed that the number of studies has been increasing, especially in Europe and North America. “Shelter” was the most frequent word, followed by “behavior,” “owner” and “adopt.” The nine topics that emerged from the analysis were breeding, stress and housing conditions, welfare and pain assessment, public health, shelter management and euthanasia, behavioral problems, health issues and management, human-animal interaction, and owners’ and veterinarians’ perceptions. While stress and housing conditions, public health, and owners’ and veterinarians’ perceptions were the most studied topics, human-animal interaction was the least studied. This review confirmed the increasing research and interest in cats’ and dogs’ welfare and showed gaps in knowledge where further studies are needed.
... Dans plusieurs pays dans le monde, pendant le confinement dû à la COVID-19, propriétaires (USA 66 ; UK 67 ; Espagne 68 ). En effet, en comparaison aux nonpropriétaires, ceux qui avaient un chien n'ont pas connu de dégradation de leur santé mentale ou physique 69 extrêmes, il est simplement bon aussi de savoir que marcher avec un chien mentionné plus haut), ce qui peut prévenir le notamment pour des populations plus à risque comme les personnes vivant seules (e.g.70,71 ). notamment le chien pour de maladies cardiaques, et dans la suite de convalescence de crises cardiaques 72,73 . ...
La présence animalière dans la vie de l’humain peut aider à le soigner. Après une description de quelques aspects historiques et de définitions, nous présenterons ici, sous l’angle original du soin, les apports des animaux dans nos vies. Nous évoquerons dans un premier temps la médiation animale, contacts ponctuels avec les animaux et pourtant porteurs de nombreux bénéfices, avant de nous centrer, dans un second temps, sur l’animal du quotidien, qu’il soit chien d’assistance, avec une éducation et un rôle spécifiques, ou animal de compagnie. Pour cela, différents profils d’humains seront présentés, des plus jeunes au plus âgés, au développement typique, mais aussi présentant des difficultés ou diverses maladies ou troubles. Et comme dans toute relation, de la nuance sera apportée en guise de conclusion, notamment autour du respect et du bien-être de l’animal avec lequel nous interagissons.
... Pets (i.e., dogs) can also act as social lubricants (27); accordingly, pet ownership may increase opportunities for social engagement, and while reduced perceived social isolation has been associated with negative mental health outcomes (e.g., anxiety and depression), alcohol and other substances of abuse are often used in social situations and may also be impacted by this same mechanism. Finally, due to the level of responsibility required to adequately care for pets, as well as associated economic stressors (e.g., veterinary care), PWH who own pets may experience a higher level of stress than non-owners, which could contribute to higher rates of negative coping strategies such as alcohol and substance use in this population (28). ...
Research suggests that people with HIV (PWH), who are at high risk for alcohol and substance use, may rely on relationships with pets for companionship and stress relief. There may be common mechanisms underlying both substance use and attachment to pets. The purpose of this brief research report was to compare alcohol and substance use behaviors between pet owners and non-owners among a cohort of PWH. Participants (n = 735) in a survey study of PWH in Florida were asked about their alcohol and substance use behaviors, whether they owned a pet, and their sociodemographic characteristics. We used bivariate analyses and logistic regression to examine differences in alcohol and substance use behaviors between pet owners and non-owners. Pet owners had higher mean AUDIT scores than non-owners (Mpet = 5, Mnopet = 4, z = −3.07, p = 0.002). Pet owners were more likely than non-owners to use alcohol in a harmful or hazardous way (AUDIT score ≥ 8), above and beyond sociodemographic characteristics (OR = 1.65, p = 0.052). Pet owners were more likely to have ever used most substances than non-owners, and more likely to currently use alcohol (X²(1) = 12.97, p = 0.000), marijuana or hashish (X²(1) = 6.82, p = 0.009), and amyl nitrate/poppers (X²(1) = 11.18, p = 0.001). Pet owners may be more likely to use alcohol and other substances at higher rates than non-owners. Reasons for owning a pet and using substances may be similar, such as coping with stress.
... Ample evidence supports the notion that the presence of an animal encourages social interaction. For example, The presence of a dog catalyzed social interactions by increasing approaches by strangers, even those who appeared unkempt 17 . Even in individuals with dementia, visits from a friendly dog improved both the quantity and the quality of social interaction in residents of care facilities 18 . ...
Pet ownership has been associated with reduced deterioration in physical health as older adults age; little research focused on deterioration in cognitive function. We examine the relationship of pet, dog, cat ownership, and dog walking to changes in cognitive function among 637 generally healthy community-dwelling older adults (185 pet owners) aged 50–100 years (M = 68.3, SD = 9.6) within the BLSA. Cognitive assessments every 1–4 years over 1–13 years (M = 7.5, SD = 3.6) include the California Verbal Learning (Immediate, Short, Long Recall); Benton Visual Retention; Trail-Making (Trails A, B, B-A); Digit Span; Boston Naming (Naming); and Digit Symbol Substitution (Digit Symbol) Tests. In linear mixed models, deterioration in cognitive function with age was slower for pet owners than non-owners (Immediate, Short, Long Recall; Trails A,B,B-A; Naming; Digit Symbol); dog owners than non-owners (Immediate, Short Recall; Trails A,B; Naming; Digit Symbol); and cat owners than non-owners (Immediate, Short, Long Recall; Naming), controlling for age and comorbidities. Among dog owners (N = 73) walkers experienced slower deterioration than non-walkers (Trails B, B-A; Short Recall). All ps ≤ 0.05. We provide important longitudinal evidence that pet ownership and dog walking contribute to maintaining cognitive function with aging and the need to support pet ownership and dog walking in design of senior communities and services.
... In addition, children who had recently acquired a pet dog were reported to have visited more friends during a one-month follow-up compared to children without a dog (17). Through dog walking, dogs can facilitate interactions and help individuals form new relationships (18,19). People with dogs are often perceived as amiable (20), and dogs serve as effective icebreakers in social situations (15,(21)(22)(23). ...
Introduction
Late adolescence is a crucial period during which individuals connect with new communities. Furthermore, their mental health has lasting effects on their overall well-being. Involvement with family and the local community plays a significant role in shaping adolescents’ personalities and well-being. Additionally, pets, such as dogs and cats, function as social catalysts and increase interactions with family and the local community. We hypothesized that pet ownership would increase involvement with family and the local community and thereby impact adolescents’ personalities and well-being.
Methods
Therefore, this study investigated whether owning dogs or cats was related to well-being through increased involvement with family and local community members in late adolescence. Data were collected via a questionnaire administered to high school and university students. The questionnaire included questions on basic information about adolescents and their families, pet ownership experience, family and local community involvement, well-being, cultural estrangement inventory, and general trust.
Results
Structural equation modeling revealed that adolescent women who owned dogs or cats had higher well-being and general trust through their involvement with their families. Although previous research reported that men who had experienced pet ownership in childhood were more sociable in old age, the effect of pet ownership on men was not observed in this study.
Discussion
During late adolescence, when individuals experience many connections with new communities, the effects of pets may temporarily decrease. Therefore, future cohort studies should examine the effects of pets on each age group.
... For example, shelters may use tailored advertisements to highlight the potential to meet individuals in the community through foster care when targeting younger age groups. Given the similarities between pet ownership and foster caregiving, shelters could also highlight evidence that shows pet owners have a heightened ability to meet members of their community through pet-related activities, such as taking their dog on walks, going to dog parks, or visiting nearby animal facilities, which can facilitate social interaction and friendship formation within their neighborhoods [26]. Additionally, as younger age groups demonstrated a strong interest in fostering, shelters may also utilize social media platforms to promote their foster care programs among these target groups [27]. ...
Simple Summary
Foster care programs in animal shelters are important tools to help support animal welfare, reduce the risk of disease, and create more kennel space for incoming animals. However, little is known about what drives foster caregivers to volunteer to care for shelter animals in their homes. This study surveyed foster caregivers within the United States to evaluate their motivations for and expectations of the foster care experience. We found that the most common motivations for fostering were animal- and community-related. Younger caregivers were more likely to expect companionship, emotional support, and to meet other community members through fostering than older caregivers, while male caregivers were less likely to foster for emotional support compared with females. We also found that dog caregivers and those who did not own pets at home were more likely to expect companionship from their foster animal. This study provides a better understanding of the motivations and expectations of foster caregivers and hopes to aid shelters to recruit foster care volunteers more effectively in the future.
Abstract
Foster care programs in animal shelters have been shown to benefit animals and shelters, but little is known about what motivates foster caregivers to volunteer. This cross-sectional study explored the motivations and expectations of 131 foster caregivers from five shelters within the United States who completed a pre-foster survey between March 2022 and March 2023. The most common motivations were animal- or community-based, such as the desire to provide an animal with love or do something positive for the community. Ordinal logistic regression models were used to investigate associations between caregivers’ motivations and their prior foster experience, pet ownership history, age, gender, and foster animal species. The 18- to 29-year-old caregivers were most likely to expect companionship (OR 5.18, 95% CI 1.79–15.04), emotional support (OR 4.25, 95% CI 1.40–12.89), and to meet other community members through fostering (OR 5.04, 95% CI 1.85–13.74). Male caregivers were less likely to foster for emotional support than females (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.03–0.48), while dog caregivers (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.04–4.76) and non-pet-owners (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.17–6.05) had greater odds of expecting companionship. This study highlights the importance of animal- and community-related benefits for foster caregivers and provides useful direction for shelters wanting to increase recruitment to expand their foster care programs.
There is substantial evidence from psychology and medicine that pets are associated with better health and higher life satisfaction of their human companions. Yet whether this relationship is causal or purely a correlation remains largely unknown. We use an instrumental variable approach to overcome this, specifically exploiting relationships in which neighbours ask individuals to look over their property when traveling, which is correlated with pet companionship. We control for baseline relationships with neighbours as well as various other potential sources of bias. Using the Innovation Panel as part of the UK Household Longitudinal Survey, we find that a pet companion increases life satisfaction by 3 to 4 points on a scale of 1 to 7. Moreover, we estimate the size of the impact of pets on human life satisfaction and wellbeing in monetary units. We find that having a pet companion is worth up to £70,000 a year in terms of life satisfaction, similar to values obtained in the literature for meeting with friends and relatives on a regular basis.
Objective
Identify the role that pet ownership may play in mitigating feelings of loneliness among dependent older adults, with a particular focus on gender and mobility problems.
Method
We use a representative sample of dependent individuals aged 65 and over (n = 1,600), with 1,005 self-respondents in Barcelona, drawn from the 2023 Survey of Older People with Functional Dependency. Logistic regression models assess the associations between pet ownership (dog, cat, or other animal) and perceived loneliness in older dependents. Models are stratified by gender.
Results
The analysis highlights that dog ownership and receiving family care are factors associated to lower risk of perceived loneliness, particularly among women. In contrast, the association between pet ownership and loneliness is less clear for men for whom no differences were observed between dog owners, other pet owners and individuals without pets in the outcome measure. Our analyses also reveal that the benefits of dog ownership hold only for old age dependents with mobility impairments.
Conclusion
Our results provide evidence that gender, type of pet and mobility are key variables associated to loneliness. These findings underscore the importance of considering dog ownership and family involvement in care strategies to mitigate loneliness among older dependents.
The ‘Bow-Wow Patrol (BWP)’, established to avert local crime by encouraging dog walking, may help build social relationships among individuals through dog walking. However, details of its social influence remain unclear. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate the social roles of BWP in the urban areas of Japan. A total of 18 BWP organisation members from two Tokyo municipalities were recruited using snowball sampling between November 2021 and July 2022. In an interview, participants were asked about their perceptions of changes in their social relationships through the BWP. Qualitative content analysis was conducted after text mining using the KH Coder software. The mean age of the participants was 63.9 years, and 83.3% engaged in BWP 7 days a week. The content analysis revealed six social roles of the BWP: establishment of social networks with schools as the centre, establishment of loose networks inside and outside the BWP organization, enhancement of a sense of trust among neighbours, enhancement of a sense of trust in communities, norms of reciprocity among dog owners, and dog and owner characteristics. This study found that the BWP in urban Japan strengthens social cohesion and expands social networks among dog walkers, encouraging them to continue walking.
Background and Aim: Dog ownership has been suggested as an intervention to increase physical activity and improve mental health, but few studies have investigated the relationships between dog ownership, physical activity, and mental health outcomes together. This study aimed to (1) investigate whether dog ownership, CA-related physical activity, and non-CA-related physical activity were explanatory variables for the relationships between CA ownership, depression, and anxiety via loneliness and (2) examine whether the relationships between these variables differed for older adult CA owners compared to younger adult CA owners.
Method: Participants were Australian CA owners from the community (N=588, 76.3% female) aged 18-84 years (M=55.34, SD=14.90). A cross-sectional design and online/phone survey methodology were used.
Results: Path analysis showed that dog owners (compared to owners of other CA types) engaged in higher levels of both CA-related and non-CA-related physical activity, but only non-CA-related physical activity was associated with mental health outcomes.
Conclusion: Our findings indicate people who choose to own dogs over other CA types engage in more active lifestyles, but it is the physical activity they perform independently of their dog that is associated with less loneliness and greater mental health. Members of the public should not be universally encouraged by health or other professionals to own a dog to support their mental health based on a belief that dog ownership leads to beneficial physical activity.
This study examined visits to shared outdoor leisure spaces
(SOLS) with dogs, such as parks, woodlands, and beaches in
the UK. Based on past qualitative and descriptive data,
hypotheses and a conceptual model were developed. An
online survey of dog guardians (n = 602) was analyzed
using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLSSEM)
to test the impacts of human intrinsic motivation; dog
well-being; the community benefit; and social bonding on
the components of leisure involvement (attraction, centrality,
and self-expression), and subsequently intention and visiting
behavior in relation to SOLS. The results showed that human
intrinsic motivation and community benefit had a positive
impact on all aspects of leisure involvement, while dog wellbeing
only affected attraction, and social bonding impacted
centrality and self-expression. These findings contribute to
a better understanding of dog guardians’ behavior of visiting
SOLS in the UK, providing insights for stakeholders responsible
for designing, managing, and promoting these spaces.
Despite numerous qualitative and cross-sectional studies investigating how dog-related factors may impact owners’ well-being, empirical studies to test these causal effects are lacking. This prospective cohort study examined the correlation and potential causal effect of 17 dog-related factors with six well-being outcomes (depression, anxiety, loneliness, suicidal ideation, hedonic well-being and eudaimonic well-being) in dog owners. Over a four-week period, 709 adult dog owners reported their weekly well-being and occurrence of each dog-related factor (e.g. how many times they ran with their dogs). A random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) with significance threshold set at 0.001 was used. Six factors correlated with poorer owner well-being (i.e. aggressive dog behaviour, fearful dog behaviour, poor dog health, failure to provide for the dog, lack of control over the dog, and dog presence). Only ‘friendly conversation with others due to the dog’ correlated with better well-being. Purposeful reductions in the frequency of dog behavioural and health-related issues are likely to improve owner well-being, as well as greater consistency in dog care (i.e. provide for the dog) and more engagement in friendly dog-facilitated social interactions. No potential causal effects were significant. Further studies investigating causal relationships are essential to improve people’s well-being through dog ownership.
W metropolii i poza metropolią. Społeczny potencjał odrodzenia i rozwoju społeczności lokalnych to monografia naukowa, na którą złożyły się teksty znakomitych polskich socjologów. Ukazuje się w charakterze Księgi Jubileuszowej dedykowanej Profesorowi Pawłowi Staroście z okazji pięćdziesięciolecia Jego pracy zawodowej w Uniwersytecie Łódzkim.. Jej tytuł nawiązuje do tytułów najbardziej znanych dzieł Profesora- habilitacyjnej rozprawy Poza metropolią. Wiejskie i małomiasteczkowe zbiorowości lokalne a wzory porządku makrospołecznego oraz książki profesorskiej Społeczny potencjał odrodzenia miast poprzemysłowych– a zarazem określa ramy tematyczne publikacji. Zebrane teksty odwołują się do zainteresowań naukowych dostojnego Jubilata i dotyczą problemów poruszanych na gruncie socjologii miasta i socjologii wsi. Odnoszą się do kwestii rozwoju lokalnego, przemian miejskich i wiejskich społeczności lokalnych, teorii i badań kapitału społecznego, partycypacji i integracji społecznej oraz problemów społecznych. W monografii czytelnik odnajdzie socjologiczną refleksję na temat mechanizmów, szans i zagrożeń rozwoju współczesnych miast, miejskiej rezyliencji, wspólnotowości oraz obywatelstwa. Rozważania socjologów wsi oscylują wokół znaczenia prowincji, cech i postaw mieszkańców wsi, dotykających ich problemów społecznych, kryteriów podziału na „swoich” i „obcych” oraz specyfiki rozwoju zrównoważonego.
The Attention Restoration Theory (ART) indicates interacting with nature (animals) is restorative to directed attention, via activation of involuntary attention (Kaplan, 1995). Dogs specifically have been linked to promoting exercise and stress reduction (Wells, 2009; Wohlfarth et al., 2013). The application of ART to the expenditure of physical effort was currently explored, hypothesizing that live dog interaction may increase effects of ART during an isometric hold. Sixty participants randomly assigned to an interaction group (dog, robot or toy) completed two isometric holds at maximal effort (before and after interaction) while reporting ratings of perceived effort (RPE) and stress. Results show no significant differences between conditions for duration of holds or RPE. However, ratings of stress were lower for dog interaction than other conditions, implying the presence of dogs help alleviate stress, without affecting performance. Further studies are needed to determine whether ART impacts executive control (directed attention) or affect.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Some recent work on the psychotherapeutic value of caged birds with old people
- R A Mugford
- J G Comisky
Mugford, R. A., & M'Comisky, J. G. (1975). Some recent work on the psychotherapeutic value of caged birds with old people. In R. S. Anderson (Ed.), Pets, animals and society (pp. 54±65). London: Bailliere Tindall.
Social facilitation of contact with other people by pet dogs
- P R Messent
Messent, P. R. (1983). Social facilitation of contact with other people by pet dogs. In A. H. Katcher & A. M. Beck (Eds.), New perspectives on our lives with companion animals (pp. 37±46). Philadelphia : University of Philadelphia Press.
Self perception and the eåects of mobility training Unpublished PhD thesis The eåects of service dogs on social acknowledgement of people in wheelchairs Animal companions and one year survival of patients after discharge from a coronary care unit
- G Dela®eld
- Uk
- J Eddy
- L A Hart
- R P Boltz
Dela®eld, G. (1975). Self perception and the eåects of mobility training. Unpublished PhD thesis, University of Nottingham, UK. Eddy, J., Hart, L. A., & Boltz, R. P. (1988). The eåects of service dogs on social acknowledgement of people in wheelchairs. Journal of Psychology, 122, 39±45. J. McNicholas and G. M. Collis Friedmann, E., Katcher, A. H., Lynch, J. J., & Thomas, S. A. (1980). Animal companions and one year survival of patients after discharge from a coronary care unit. Public Health Reports, 95, 307±312.