More evidence of pet ownership and its link to better health
A study of community dwelling elderly people in a rural area (Lago, Delayney, Miller, & Grill, 1989) found that attitudes toward pets and pet ownership were significant predictors of positive morale and self-reported health status.
In a ten-month investigation that followed adults who had recently acquired a pet, Serpell (1991) reported a reduction in minor health problems during the first month after pet acqusition.
For dog owners, this effect was sustained throughout the study, and suggests that pets may influence perceptions of stress.
Finally, in a study by Peretti (1990), friendship bonds between elderly people and their pets were explored. Data collection for this survey study took place over ten months, and all participants were walking their dogs in a metropolitan area public park. An open-ended questionnaire asked about personal attitudes and feelings toward pets.
An especially revealing finding was the high percentage of participants who said that their dogs were their only friends (78% of men and 67% of females), and that the friendship bonds they had with dogs were as strong as any they had experienced with humans.
Descriptive responses about relationships with dogs fell into the following five areas: (1) Companionship; (2) Emotional Bond; (3) Usefulness; (4) Loyalty; and (5) No Negotiation.
The notion of a friendship involving no negotiation is especially intriguing. By this the respondents described the straightforward interaction devoid of artificial comments and social dealing that is possible with dogs, but not people. They could basically be themselves, and the dogs were offering what amounted to unconditional love and affection.
This study adds significantly to understanding and appreciation of the meaning of dogs in the lives of elderly people who often are isolated.
It found that pets fulfilled their owners’ psychological needs for attachment and nurturance. Although the study did not use health as an outcome measure, given what is known about the relationship between health and social support, the findings are significant.
This review of the research on the link between ownership of a companion animal and the health benefits manifest in elderly people demonstrates clearly that provided the person does not feel burdened by the expense, time, and effort, a pet can be an excellent companion.
A pet can make the difference between an older person being lively, active, and engaged, as compared with socially withdrawn, and laboring under the burden of heart and other health issues.
And the pet having a human of its own has clear benefits for the pet!
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