Although the idea of the therapeutic value of pets for elderly people has widespread appeal and endorsement from the media, there have been few scientific investigations that actually link the presence of companion animals to changes in physical or mental health status.

In a 1984 review paper, authors Beck and Katcher (1984) concluded that most studies had either no impact,  or demonstrated only small health gains.

Designing and conducting scientifically valid intervention research about the possible influence of pets on elderly people who live in nursing homes is exceptionally difficult.

In contrast, a study looking at physiological responses of healthy young people is far easier to carry out, and does not have the ethical concerns inherent in giving something to one group of elderly people but not to another.

Perhaps as a consequence of this difficulty, over the past decade a shift in research approach appears to have occurred. Investigators have begun to place increased focus on understanding how pets may contribute indirectly to health by being part of a positive nursing home environment, rather than on how pets can be independently related to improved health.

One such study (Winkler, Fairnie, Gericevich, & Long, 1989) looked at the impact of a resident dog on social interactions among and between residents and staff of a nursing home and found that the introduction of a resident pet acted as a catalyst for social interaction. The increased social behavior, however, was short-lived and disappeared within three months.

Fick (1993) also explored social interactions, but only among nursing home residents in a group occupational therapy setting.
In this study the presence of the dog had a positive effect as an adjunct to another therapy and was associated with a significant difference in verbal interactions.

Continues in Companion Animals and Elderly People-the health benefits  Part 2